I need help... That is not just commentary on my life, I am having a difficult time and I don't want to ruin a wall. Here's the deal.We just bought the new camper listed below. The back room(BH) has a section ready for a TV and DVD player, but there was no sticker on the wall (as I have seen in other rigs) where it is safe to mount a TV. It is a pretty nice set-up, and I figured a light weight swing mount would work nice. I got the mount and TV which together weigh less than 10 lbs, but am worried that it will rip right off the wall while we are going down the road since the wall is the luan, insulation, luan and not a solid board to drill into. Does anyone know of a type of anchor bolt, or insert that will work and ease my concerns. I am also wondering how thick the wall really is as this part is a push out.Any advice is welcome as I don't want to botch this. Thanks!

When I did mine I attached the swing arm to a piece of 3/4" plywood large enough so that I was able to screw into the 2x2 wall studs. BTW my TV alone weighs in at 26# and it seems to be holding up. I used maple veneer wood and stained it to match.

Look for staples which will indicate where the studs are located. If no staples you can probably tap or push on the wall to find the studs.If you are uncomfortable with the strength of one stud, use a board to span across two studs and mount to the board.Use the appropriate length and type of screw for the studs. Use too long and you will be asking us how to repair screw holes in the outside of the RV. :B

If there is a co-ax outlet with amplifier switch and also a receptacle there, I'd be surprised if the manufacturer did not install a backing plate in the wall. Take a magnet and see if you can find the sheet steel that would be behind the luan.

x2 on checking with the manufacturer. They may be able to email you a drawing of the inside layout of that wall. is it an exterior wall?? Be extra cautious on the hardware and screws you use. A few years ago on Hybrid Explorer someone installed a bracket and when they went outside found a few long screws through the siding....not good.

TV Swing Arm bracket mounting help needed | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

stahrmcgee
Explorer
Apr 23, 2014
Well, I found no studs in the walls... very uncool! I am attempting to get in touch with Forest River to see what I can do, but I may have no option but expanding wall anchors.

On the plus side, I de-winterized last night in anticipation of the shake down cruise this weekend. So far, everything is working well.
JJBIRISH
Explorer
Apr 22, 2014
I have been in several Signature Ultra Lite 8311SS and the all that I have been in had 2 TV’s hanging on both sides of the same wall… one in the Entertainment Center and the other mounted to the same wall facing the Master Bedroom…
I always thought it was the perfect place for 1 TV that swiveled for viewing from either room…

With the aluminum framed laminated outside walls, wall studs may be hard to find… unless the mfg. installed amounting plate behind the wall the only option for a secure mount might be the TV mounted to a backer board mounted to the wall…

As others have already said the best bet is to check with the mfg.…
westend
Explorer
Apr 22, 2014
That is aluminum framing. I would attach a piece of plywood to span at least two studs.

I did my 32" screen like this. I marked the mounting holes for the swing arm on the plywood before I attached the plywood to the wall and drilled the bolt holes. I countersunk the holes that faced the wall so the bolt heads were flush with the back. With mount bolts inserted, I spread glue on the plywood facing the wall and attached the plywood onto 3 studs with two screws into each stud. I then put the swing arm onto the bolts and fastened with a lock washer and a nut.
It's extra work to do it this way but I'll never worry about the mount coming loose.
stahrmcgee
Explorer
Apr 22, 2014
myredracer wrote:
If there is a factory co-ax outlet there, I'd say there's gotta be a backer plate there somewhere. I've tried a stud finder on aluminum and wood framing and not had much success but with a fiberglass exterior and "sandwich" wall construction, there are likely no studs there anyway.

No studs would sure add a level of complexity, and not in a good way.

I wonder if metal expansion sleeves or some sort of wall anchor like that would work if no studs...

I know, it all depends on if there are studs present.
myredracer
Explorer II
Apr 22, 2014
If there is a factory co-ax outlet there, I'd say there's gotta be a backer plate there somewhere. I've tried a stud finder on aluminum and wood framing and not had much success but with a fiberglass exterior and "sandwich" wall construction, there are likely no studs there anyway.

stahrmcgee wrote:
Thanks everyone for the advice!

I will check for studs when I get home... It is an exterior wall, so I did not want to be repairing holes in the fiberglass, that's for sure. There is no amp button on the coax plug, the only one with that is in the main living area. If I can't find the studs (either by staple, or by stud finder) I will contact the manufacturer.

This is by far, the best forum I have ever participated in. On other forums, responses can take days, this place, minutes.
stahrmcgee
Explorer
Apr 22, 2014
Thanks everyone for the advice!

I will check for studs when I get home... It is an exterior wall, so I did not want to be repairing holes in the fiberglass, that's for sure. There is no amp button on the coax plug, the only one with that is in the main living area. If I can't find the studs (either by staple, or by stud finder) I will contact the manufacturer.

This is by far, the best forum I have ever participated in. On other forums, responses can take days, this place, minutes.
2012Coleman
Explorer II
Apr 22, 2014
How about using a stud finder?
dadmomh
Explorer
Apr 22, 2014
x2 on checking with the manufacturer. They may be able to email you a drawing of the inside layout of that wall. is it an exterior wall?? Be extra cautious on the hardware and screws you use. A few years ago on Hybrid Explorer someone installed a bracket and when they went outside found a few long screws through the siding....not good.
myredracer
Explorer II
Apr 22, 2014
If there is a co-ax outlet with amplifier switch and also a receptacle there, I'd be surprised if the manufacturer did not install a backing plate in the wall. Take a magnet and see if you can find the sheet steel that would be behind the luan.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Apr 22, 2014
ask the manufacturer?
bumpy