cancel
Showing results forย 
Search instead forย 
Did you mean:ย 

Wall-mount TV in small travel trailer ?

vlopddap
Explorer
Explorer
Hi, I'm just wondering how do you wall-mount your TV in a small travel trailer? I have no reinforced wall surface to install a swivel wall-mount bracket for my 19 inch LED TV. I'm wondering if I can put a reinforcement wood piece over the wall, glue the wood piece with industrial adhesive maybe, then screw the wall-mount bracket through the wood piece and into the wall surface? Also I install the wall-mount bracket over a countertop surface, maybe I can screw the bottom of wood piece onto the countertop with metal "L" brackets too?

My TV is very lightweight since it's a 19 inch LED (under 10 pounds) and the wall-mount bracket itself is pretty light too (2-3 pounds) since it's all aluminium.

Any other suggestions? Pictures of your own setup would be appreciated :B
2016 Dodge Grand Caravan SE Plus
2011 KZ Sportsmen Classic 16BH
32 REPLIES 32

Ron3rd
Explorer III
Explorer III
I went with the swing out mount like RoyB's on my old trailer and was lucky enough to find a stud. I our new trailer, the 22" TV sits on a convenient dresser that's in the bedroom, so I just used the supplied stand. Got lucky with that one too as the cable and 120v power is right there. Every rig is different.

As to the DVD media, yes they are outdated, but we have so many we take a very small Samsung blu ray player with us.
2016 6.7 CTD 2500 BIG HORN MEGA CAB
2013 Forest River 3001W Windjammer
Equilizer Hitch
Honda EU2000

"I have this plan to live forever; so far my plan is working"

jjjandrbaker
Explorer
Explorer
My camper is tiny. I bought a bracket with a spot to put it in mind. When I went to install, the spot didn't exist. I keep the TV wrapped in a quilt at the top of the wardrobe closet. If I need it, it goes on the counter top. I know that may seem like a lot of trouble, but I only use the TV for about 1/4 of my trips. I think it would bother me more always being out when not in use.

I like the floorplan of the OP's camper. I would love to have those bunks!
Jim Baker
San Antonio, TX
travel blog and photos

vlopddap
Explorer
Explorer
beemerphile1 wrote:
I would look for a different location, I hate looking up at a television. Ideally it should be at eye level when sitting in your favorite seat.


Since it's only a 16 feet trailer, this is the only suitable place for TV mounting. I agree with you, I dislike to watch TV from that angle too, but this is the only option. Moreover all TVs hookup are roof mounted over this place. On all three other walls, there's over-the-head cabinets, there's also a wall mount A/C and a radio. Impossible to install TV elsewhere.
2016 Dodge Grand Caravan SE Plus
2011 KZ Sportsmen Classic 16BH

vlopddap
Explorer
Explorer
ryanw821 wrote:
Also many Smart TVs these days have the equivalent of that WDTV box built in, so I say get one that is a combo DVD/BR/SmartTV, less clutter and less******to plug in, just load up a few flash drives or a USB hard drive with movies.


Yes that's right, but not available on small LCD/LED under 20 inch.
2016 Dodge Grand Caravan SE Plus
2011 KZ Sportsmen Classic 16BH

beemerphile1
Explorer
Explorer
I don't have any trouble resizing. Go to the upper corner of this post, click quote, and you can see the correct code.



I would look for a different location, I hate looking up at a television. Ideally it should be at eye level when sitting in your favorite seat.
Build a life you don't need a vacation from.

2016 Silverado 3500HD DRW D/A 4x4
2018 Keystone Cougar 26RBS
2006 Weekend Warrior FK1900

ryanw821
Explorer
Explorer
vlopddap wrote:
I am sorry but as I.T. worker for 15 years ago, DVDs disc are outdated IMO. I have a small WDTV Live USB media player that connect on HDMI port. This device is not bigger than a pack of cigarette (I don't smoke, but it's for reference) then I have a small 500 GB USB portable hard drive (2.5 inch, self powered, no power-pack), which is about same size as the media player and on the drive I have over 200 DVD (images rip of my own DVD, no downscale image quality). So what do you want more? 200 movies in the size of a pack of cigarettes! ๐Ÿ˜‰

I have been in IT for just as long, and I agree for the most part disc media is a pain in the butt, but they sure aren't dead. For lots of people DVD/BR are great media delivery devices, Broadband internet penetration is abysmal in the US and download/streaming is not an option for a great many people (especially many who full time RV using cellular or satellite internet).

Also many Smart TVs these days have the equivalent of that WDTV box built in, so I say get one that is a combo DVD/BR/SmartTV, less clutter and less******to plug in, just load up a few flash drives or a USB hard drive with movies.

vlopddap
Explorer
Explorer
myredracer wrote:
You might consider using a TV with a built-in DVD player which is what I used in the one in the photo. The one we had was a Sharp Acquos but I don't think they are producing it now. It had excellent picture quality. FWIW, also consider a Wineguard Wingman to pull in more OTA signals.


I am sorry but as I.T. worker for 15 years ago, DVDs disc are outdated IMO. I have a small WDTV Live USB media player that connect on HDMI port. This device is not bigger than a pack of cigarette (I don't smoke, but it's for reference) then I have a small 500 GB USB portable hard drive (2.5 inch, self powered, no power-pack), which is about same size as the media player and on the drive I have over 200 DVD (images rip of my own DVD, no downscale image quality). So what do you want more? 200 movies in the size of a pack of cigarettes! ๐Ÿ˜‰

I have 5x LED/LCD/Plasma TVs at home and I have WD-TV Live devices on all my TVs and they are all networked using WiFi. I have a media server PC in my basement where my 800 DVDs are ripped (6+ TB hard drive space). I also have about 100 Blu-Ray rips. I still have the 800 original DVD inside large Rubbermaid bin inside my exterior shed...

2016 Dodge Grand Caravan SE Plus
2011 KZ Sportsmen Classic 16BH

vlopddap
Explorer
Explorer
myredracer wrote:
vlopdapp, can you resize the photo? That's the largest one I've ever seen, lol! When you post a pic, just set the size to say 200x200, or 250x250 to suit. You may need to experiment and it's not always the same depending on the size of the original photo.


Well I can't. Because it's actually a URL on a stock photo from Amazon and I can't resize it. I'm gonna save a local copy, resize et re-host on Photobucket. :B

BTW I don't find the picture is huge on my 27 inch iMac! LOL :W
2016 Dodge Grand Caravan SE Plus
2011 KZ Sportsmen Classic 16BH

myredracer
Explorer II
Explorer II
This site appears to have a glitch at the moment and I can't edit a post. Here is how I mounted a TV on the end wall of a previous TT. You could easily install an articulating mount on the sidewall of your fridge and be able to rotate the TV to view from the dinette or bunks.

You might consider using a TV with a built-in DVD player which is what I used in the one in the photo. The one we had was a Sharp Acquos but I don't think they are producing it now. It had excellent picture quality. FWIW, also consider a Wineguard Wingman to pull in more OTA signals.

myredracer
Explorer II
Explorer II
This site appears to have a glitch at the moment and I can't edit a post. Here is how I mounted a TV on the end wall of a previous TT. You could easily install an articulating mount on the sidewall of the fridge and be able to rotate the TV to view from the dinette or bunks.

You might consider using a TV with a built-in DVD player which is what I used in the one in the photo. The one we had was a Sharp Acquos but I don't think they are producing it now. It had excellent picture quality. FWIW, also consider a Wineguard Wingman to pull in more OTA signals.

height=250 width=250'>

myredracer
Explorer II
Explorer II
vlopdapp, can you resize the photo? That's the largest one I've ever seen, lol! When you post a pic, just set the size to say 200x200, or 250x250 to suit. You may need to experiment and it's not always the same depending on the size of the original photo.

vlopddap
Explorer
Explorer
Well IMO the TV-Shelf stand for "put the damn TV on the countertop and shut the f** up" LOL ๐Ÿ™‚

I didn't think it's a wall-mount TV shelf. My father-in-law own a 2013 Sportsmen 19FB and he just put the TV on the countertop and he stow the TV back in the box after each travel... not very good IMO. That's why I want a permanent wall-mount solution!

Other solution is maybe to use a computer monitor swivel stand than screw on the desk and then screw it on the countertop surface?



This one is a "clamp style" mount, but I certainly can cut the clamp and screw it directly to the countertop...
2016 Dodge Grand Caravan SE Plus
2011 KZ Sportsmen Classic 16BH

myredracer
Explorer II
Explorer II
I see on the floor plan that KZ has a "Closet/TV shelf". I don't know anything about the Sportsmen line. Does KZ mean you should be using a TV that sits on a horizontal surface or they mount to a wall surface. On our KZ, in the bedroom they have a sheet metal backer plate behind the luan plywood (common method) and it is marked with a sticker on the wall.

I would try sending KZ an email. I've done that a few times and it may take a day or two for a response or longer this time of year. Perhaps your dealer may know? They aren't always a wealth of info. tho.

KZ's website doesn't say if the framing is aluminum or wood, but I'm assuming wood. If there is no backer plate, you can't secure the mount just to the luan plywood and need to secure to a couple of studs as above. The weight of a TV plus a mount can be around 20 lbs and it needs to be well-secured. How is the end wall of the bunks constructed? If just one layer of luan, you *might* be able to mount a piece of 1x4 solid wood the entire width of the bunk wall (either side) then put in some screws through the luan into the 1x1 corner pieces to re-inforce the luan.

To find exterior wall studs, look for staple holes in the luan, try a stud finder (may or may not work) and/or try tapping on the wall with a hammer (carefully). Wall cavities are typically 1" thick plus 1/8" for the luan. I would drill small pilot holes using a bit with some tape wrapped around it for a guide.

There are articulating mounts with a locking T-handle on the botto like the Mor/Ryde makes which is excellent. You may find a non-locking one will work if you tighten up the joints. Our KZ comes from the factory without a locking type. You can always install velcro strips to secure it for travelling.

Looking at Vlopdapp's photo, maybe you could use a vertical piece of wood that rests on the shelf to take vertical load and then if possible, secure the top to a rafter. If you can secure it to the shelf surface, you could avoid having to attach the vertical piece to a rafter. Another possibility might be to run a vertical piece of wood (1x4?) down inside the cabinet towards the bottom and secure it well inside. The top is very likely just held on with some screws from underneath the shelf surface and you could remove it to cut a slot for the 1x4. The 1x4 could then just rise up out of the cabinet enough for the mount.

Another possibility would be to mount the TV on the end wall of the upper kitchen cabinet. You'd need to extend co-ax over there. You can run wires in a ceiling cavity and I've done it a number of times now.

vlopddap
Explorer
Explorer
In my Sportsmen the outlets for TV (antenna + power) are located above a small countertop surface (over a closet), so I'll install a solid wood piece around 4 inch wide that goes from the countertop surface to near the roof. I'm gonna glue piece on wall, screw it to the luan panel and then use metal L-brakets screwed on the countertop surface. I do a quick schema in MS-PAINT...

What do you think about this idea?

2016 Dodge Grand Caravan SE Plus
2011 KZ Sportsmen Classic 16BH

Fastfwd75
Explorer
Explorer
I have mounted mine in the cupboard's door above the sink. The wood was thin so I added another later behind it. Simple vesa mount without swivel or extend. Ends up right in front of the u-dinette.
Eco Camp 20BH
Ford F250 Lariat 4x4 4.30