Recreational vehicles are the ultimate adventure machine, giving you a mobile station featuring all the necessities of home while you explore the wilderness or travel cross-country. While fitting a flat-screen TV inside an RV is easy, some adventurers may want to mount a TV onto the walls of an RV, van or camper. An RV wall mount can save space, present a cleaner look, and keep the TV more secure when the road gets a little bumpy.
Understanding how to attach a TV mount to an RV wall can be confusing or intimidating. While it does require some planning and forethought, it is a fairly simple and straightforward process. Learn more about using and installing an RV TV wall mount below.
What an RV TV Mount Includes
A TV mount for your RV will generally include everything that you need to secure your TV to a wall, cabinet, or ceiling in your RV. The exact pieces can vary based on the brand and type of mount that you choose, but a TV mounting kit generally includes:
- A wall bracket (this is the piece that screws into the wall)
- A TV mounting plate (this attaches to the back of your flatscreen and connects with the bracket)
- Screws
- Wall anchors
Types of TV Mounts for RVs
Mounts for TVs and monitors naturally come in a variety of configurations with their own benefits. The type of RV TV mount you choose largely depends on what you’re looking for in a mount, though budget and installation time can also factor in.
Fixed Mount
A fixed mount (also known as a low-profile mount) is the simplest of the mounts. It allows for a low profile, so your flat-screen TV is not sticking out of the wall. This allows for a clean, simple look. Fixed mounts have no articulation. They do not tilt, swivel, or have an arm that allows for positional changes. That could be a drawback if you need to customize the viewing angle based on how many people are watching and potential glare issues. Furthermore, the low-profile design means that the TV is only about an inch or two away from the wall. If your TV only has ports behind it, you may have to remove the TV from the bracket in order to plug anything in.
Low profile mounts are also the easiest to install. They don’t have a lot of extra parts or hardware. That also inherently makes them the most affordable of the mounts.
Tilt Mount
Tilt mounts are relatively similar to fixed mounts, but they have the added ability to tilt your monitor up or down. This can help to create a more optimal viewing angle and eliminate glare. This does mean that your TV will stick out from your wall a little more, but it can be worth it for the improved viewing situation.
Articulating Mount
One of the most popular types of mounts for RVs, articulating mounts, features an arm that pulls the TV away from the wall, allowing you to move the TV from side to side. When not in use, the arm folds back to keep the TV close against the wall. This allows for a much greater range of motion and more viewing options.
The arm naturally means that your TV won’t sit flush with the wall when not in use. Articulating mounts do tend to have some upward tilt, but it can be limited compared to simple tilt mounts. You also may need a restraint or locking mechanism to keep the TV and arm from popping out in transit.
Full-Motion Mount
An evolution of the articulating mount, full-motion mounts, provides complete control of your TV positioning and placement. These mounts allow for any side-to-side positioning and different degrees of tilt. Some even allow you to flip your monitor 360 degrees. This will enable you to watch your TV from just about anywhere in your RV.
Full-motion mounts do not sit flush to your RV wall, and they will need some sort of restraint. Full-motion mounts also tend to be the priciest option.
How to Mount a TV in an RV
Mounting kits usually have everything you need to install the mount with minimal extra tools. You will still generally need:
- A drill with the right drill bit (the exact size may vary based on the screws)
- A Phillips head screwdriver
- A tape measure
- Painters tape
- A stud finder
- A pencil or other marking tool
Depending on the brand and type of mount that you purchase, you may have some small, nuanced differences with your installation process. However, these are the general steps for installing a TV mount.
Using the stud finder, locate a stud in the walls where you plan to mount your TV. Most RVs should have a good two-inch wide stud that spans from the ceiling to the top of the window. The stud naturally provides a sturdy, load-bearing point that can take the mount and TV’s combined weight. Mark the edges and center of the stud using your painter’s tape.
From there, measure out the height of the wall bracket and mark where you plan to drill the pilot holes for the screws. Hold your wall mount bracket against the wall and use a level to ensure everything is even. It never hurts to measure correctly and adjust as necessary. You don’t want a crooked or lopsided TV.
With the holes marked and adequately leveled, drill the pilot holes into the stud. Pilot holes make it easier to push in the screws. Make sure that the pilot holes are slightly smaller than the screws themselves. Use a spacer on your drill bit or mark the screw length on your drill bit with painters tape so that you don’t drill entirely through your RV wall.
Secure the bracket to the mounting wall using the provided screws. You want the screws to be secure without over-tightening them. Going too hard could strip the screws or strip the hole, leading to more severe problems.
With the bracket in place, you can now turn to the mounting plate for your TV. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to get the mounting plate secured to the TV’s back.
From there, it’s merely a matter of connecting the wall bracket to the mounting plate. Again, follow the manufacturer’s instructions, double-checking to ensure the plate and bracket’s connection is as secure as possible.
As a general tip, it can help to have someone else there, especially when marking the pilot holes and connecting the plate and bracket. Additionally, you shouldn’t do any of this while the RV is in motion. Finally, don't install your TV wall mount unless you have a solid wall stud to drill into-- using an adhesive, mounting to a cabinet door, or selecting an improper mounting surface can lead to a broken TV or an injury.
Whether you choose a tilt mount, a flat mount, or an articulating mount, attaching a flat-screen television to the wall of your RV can be made simple and easy with Mount-It. The process of mounting a TV in your RV is fairly straightforward, and as long as you follow the manufacturer’s instructions, you shouldn’t have too much trouble. For more advice and tips on everything mounting, like how to mount your TV outside, check out our blog!
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