Need help: exterior tv mount on fiberglass camper

[Str8ball1]

I have looked all over for instructions on this.

I want to install a tv mount to the outside of my fiberglass toyhauler for tailgating at football games.

I have read many descriptions of how to drill through fiberglass but I havent seen anything about the material often used between the mount and the fiberglass.

It looks like some kind of soft puddy that keeps the mount from actually contacting the side of the camper.

Anybody know what people use or any other help with this project would be appreciated.

Things I have learned.

1. Drill in reverse.
2. Use painter tape on the drill point

Not sure whether to use screws or go through the side and use bolts. The mount I have seen on one used screws.

[Str8ball1]

DrewE wrote:
Why would they care to keep the mount from contacting the fiberglass? Window frames contact the fiberglass. Awning support arm brackets contact the fiberglass. Door hold-open gizmos are mounted to the fiberglass. I can't think of any reason why a TV mount would be any different. I still suspect what you're seeing is just a sealant or gasket of some sort to keep water out.

I dont know but I assume it's the possible weight shifts the mount may have on the fiberglass. I assume awnings etc have something specifically made to hold it and support it behind the fiberglass.

What I saw in the video is not a sealant that I have seen used any time before.

[DrewE]

Why would they care to keep the mount from contacting the fiberglass? Window frames contact the fiberglass. Awning support arm brackets contact the fiberglass. Door hold-open gizmos are mounted to the fiberglass. I can't think of any reason why a TV mount would be any different. I still suspect what you're seeing is just a sealant or gasket of some sort to keep water out.

[Str8ball1]

Lantley wrote:
Another option I have seen is to just put TV on a folding table.
I have also seen TV suspended from and awning.
As Barney mentioned above you can through bolt it easy enough but I have never seen an RV with a TV bracket permanently mounted to the side.

Either you and I are talking about different things or something else because about every new travel trailer has an outside tv mount under the awning.

I just dont know what has been used between the mount and the fiberglas to keep it from contacting the fiberglass.

How would they suspend from the awning? In the sunlight I cant imagine that would be visible if it's on the end.

I've considered the folding table but at a tailgate that would be susceptible to being knocked over. The sun again would be an issue without being high enough.

Thanks for the ideas though.

[Lantley]

Another option I have seen is to just put TV on a folding table.
I have also seen TV suspended from and awning.
As Barney mentioned above you can through bolt it easy enough but I have never seen an RV with a TV bracket permanently mounted to the side.

[BarneyS]

Were it mine, I would through bolt it and find a way to cover/hide the nuts and washers on the inside.
Barney

[Str8ball1]

Lantley wrote:

Str8ball1 wrote:

Lantley wrote:
Try This. No Drilling Required
***Link Removed***

Yeah I have seen those. Expensive and dont trust a suction cup much.

Thanks though.

I agree they are expensive but they work, You can trust them to hold.
I don't have one but I have seen them personally. They are a worthwhile option if you can stomach the price.
Once you consider your alternatives, there is no other option quite as simple and to the point as the suction cup. No drilling, no penetrations.
No marks, no alterations
Otherwise you need to construct some sort of cabinet or permanently mount some sort of bracket to your exterior.
The suction cup eliminates the need to do anything permanent.

I also worry about it separating the fiberglass. Delamination? Just can't imagine applying the suction required in that area without that concern. I probably worry too much.

I dont mind having a mount permanently up if it is strong. I have already purchased one I can move the TV from mount to mount

Now I just need to install on the camper.

[Lantley]

Str8ball1 wrote:

Lantley wrote:
Try This. No Drilling Required
***Link Removed***

Yeah I have seen those. Expensive and dont trust a suction cup much.

Thanks though.

I agree they are expensive but they work, You can trust them to hold.
I don't have one but I have seen them personally. They are a worthwhile option if you can stomach the price.
Once you consider your alternatives, there is no other option quite as simple and to the point as the suction cup. No drilling, no penetrations.
No marks, no alterations
Otherwise you need to construct some sort of cabinet or permanently mount some sort of bracket to your exterior.
The suction cup eliminates the need to do anything permanent.

[Dusty_R]

I've epoxy wood disk to the fiber glass roof on two different mh roofs, to make a carrier for my canoe.

Dusty
.

[Str8ball1]

riven1950 wrote:
Don't have one or any mounting suggestions but thought I would mention a setup I saw in the Keys last winter. This may be common or not. My neighbor had his tv mount attached inside of the storage compartment so that when retracted it was inside the compartment, not attached to the outside wall at all. I believe the tv stayed attached. Downside would be eating up your storage area and of course you would need a storage area where you want the tv. Just a thought. I would not do it because our TT has limited storage, plus we don't need / want an outside tv, but most 5th's and toyhaulers have more storage compartments.

I am not interested in a storage compartment option. Too low and not enough storage as is ...need to have it under awning to block the sun.

I'm not talking about a sealant. I realize it needs to be sealed.
What I have seen is a something that is gray looks a little like play dough between the mount and the fiberglass.

Thanks for your response though.

[Str8ball1]

Lantley wrote:
Try This. No Drilling Required
***Link Removed***

Yeah I have seen those. Expensive and dont trust a suction cup much.

Thanks though.

[Lantley]

Try This. No Drilling Required
Suction cup exterior TV mount

[riven1950]

Don't have one or any mounting suggestions but thought I would mention a setup I saw in the Keys last winter. This may be common or not. My neighbor had his tv mount attached inside of the storage compartment so that when retracted it was inside the compartment, not attached to the outside wall at all. I believe the tv stayed attached. Downside would be eating up your storage area and of course you would need a storage area where you want the tv. Just a thought. I would not do it because our TT has limited storage, plus we don't need / want an outside tv, but most 5th's and toyhaulers have more storage compartments.

[DrewE]

I think you're talking about some sort of a sealant. There are a few reasonable options to use. Butyl rubber tape (as is used for RV window frames, trim strips, etc.) is one option. Particularly for small odds and ends like baggage door hold-open clips, plumber's putty works pretty well and is easy to get and inexpensive. Some sort of a urethane caulking compound (Geocel Pro-Flex, OSI Quad, etc.) is another reasonable choice; though avoid silicone as it is very difficult to renew or touch up if needed since basically nothing will stick to cured silicone. Dicor non-sag compound would also work (but not their self-leveling lap joint compound, which on a vertical surface will self-level its way down the wall).

In any case, the main goal is not so much to keep the thing from touching the fiberglass as it is to ensure a watertight seal around the penetrations through the fiberglass.

If you have something reasonably solid to mount to (a stud preferably) screws are perfectly fine. Even if you're just mounting to the exterior skin, they'd probably be okay; it's not like you'll be driving with the TV attached, one hopes. Factory installations probably have a backing board or something similar built into the wall for the screws to be driven into, but adding one after the fact is not practical. Bolting through the wall means having a chunk of metal with no thermal break going through the wall, which is hardly what one would prefer if it's going into the heated/cooled interior of the RV, besides looking rather hokey on the inside.