Forum Discussion

bamaboy's avatar
bamaboy
Explorer
Aug 30, 2017

What's behind the wall?

Hi friends occasionally I have things I'd to secure to wall in my RV but am very hesitant to put screws in the wall without knowing where the wiring or plumbing is. For example, I have a swivel arm tv wall mount, the TV isn't heavy and it would be nice to able to move it to different angles, but I'd have to mount it to the wall with screws.

Any advice on how to know what is behind a spot I might want to put mounting screws in? Plumbing might not be metal and wire is hard to find, so a stud finder doesn't really help.

TT is a 2017 Dutchmen Coleman 31.5 that I live in full time in central Texas. Somehow just made it through 16 inches of rain in 2 days and tropical force winds. In a strange way I was luckier than folks in nearby houses because I could get a foot of water under me with no damage. Luckily the whole town is safe. Carpet and wallboard can be replaced, no lives were lost.

8 Replies

  • bamaboy's avatar
    bamaboy
    Explorer
    Aug 30, 2017
    That inspection camera is cool. Definitely getting one. And God bless Duffy. When I was a kid my aunt used to call me by her dachshund's name sometimes, and vice versa. The dog understood and just let it pass. Great memories.
  • Atlee's avatar
    Atlee
    Explorer II
    Aug 30, 2017
    Will Dutchman send to you the plans for the wall where you want to put the TV mounting arm?

    Jayco does that if they are contacted with the VIN number.

    bamaboy wrote:
    Hi friends occasionally I have things I'd to secure to wall in my RV but am very hesitant to put screws in the wall without knowing where the wiring or plumbing is. For example, I have a swivel arm tv wall mount, the TV isn't heavy and it would be nice to able to move it to different angles, but I'd have to mount it to the wall with screws.

    Any advice on how to know what is behind a spot I might want to put mounting screws in? Plumbing might not be metal and wire is hard to find, so a stud finder doesn't really help.

    TT is a 2017 Dutchmen Coleman 31.5 that I live in full time in central Texas. Somehow just made it through 16 inches of rain in 2 days and tropical force winds. In a strange way I was luckier than folks in nearby houses because I could get a foot of water under me with no damage. Luckily the whole town is safe. Carpet and wallboard can be replaced, no lives were lost.
  • Johno02's avatar
    Johno02
    Explorer
    Aug 30, 2017
    I got one of these, and it works well. Just look in the wall and see what is there. Only takes a tiny hole, which can be easily repaired or covered.

    inspection camera
  • bamaboy's avatar
    bamaboy
    Explorer
    Aug 30, 2017
    I hadn't thought of that. It's the back wall of the trailer so probably nothing there except wiring, and you're right, my stud finder pings on wiring too. Thanks guys for the ideas.
  • TurnThePage's avatar
    TurnThePage
    Explorer
    Aug 30, 2017
    Not likely to be any plumbing at TV mounting height unless a shower is on the other side of the wall. My stud finder also pings on wiring. I think I would just risk adding a fairly large backer to the wall to spread the load of the TV mount.
  • bamaboy's avatar
    bamaboy
    Explorer
    Aug 30, 2017
    Cant type today! I meant to say "I wonder what experiences people have had".
  • bamaboy's avatar
    bamaboy
    Explorer
    Aug 30, 2017
    I suspect the studs are aluminum. I wonder what experience have had. Will screws hold in aluminum?
  • jarata1's avatar
    jarata1
    Explorer
    Aug 30, 2017
    I would try to find the studs and drill into them the walls aren't very thick to hold anything of. Any weight

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