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Modify TV cabinet

Yahoo Message Number: 67052
Happy New Year to All!

We finally installed a 40 in. TV in the front where the old HD was. We used the original frame. Now we are going on the road and would like to have help keeping the TV in place. We connected the TV to an extending arm that tilts and moves to the side. Our concern now is how to stablize the TV on BIG bumps. The bottom of the frame is open due to the longer TV. Mino is thinking of putting a metal bar on the bottome to hold the TV when not in use and velcro to keep the upper part of the TV in place. I am wondering if there is a better solution. Thanks for any help.
Marianne

Re: Modify TV cabinet

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 67053
That is best done prior to purchasing the mounting hardware, during the design phase..
I would look at the mounting brackets and see if they could be modified to lock the moving parts ( a hole with a clevis pin?), Possibly a padded L bracket from the frame hooked over the TV, or Velcro straps.

Bob Wexler

SOB with two updated LCD TVs

Re: Modify TV cabinet

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 67054

Hi Marianne:

We also changed TV's up front. I could not figure out a way to safely use a conventional wall mount intended for use in a stable building. The mounting points on the back of the TV are not designed for the dynamic forces they will experience going over the road and over big bumps like some railroad crossings. At some point they will probably break from the stresses.
If you analyze the original mounting the TV was supported on all four sides by the cabinetry plus a very heavy duty steel mounting system bolted to the ceiling and cabinet. We were able to find a TV that permitted use of the original mounting system and then modified the cabinet to further support the TV the same was as the factory engineers did.
It would be a bad day to have a TV land on the driver's lap or even the floor nearby.
This is just my opinion, but I would not drive with the TV mounted the way you describe. There have been numerous posts on this list mentioning businesses who can and do install TVs as they need to be in our moving homes on wheels.

Bob (rthandren@...)
'05 Inspire 51178

Re: Modify TV cabinet

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 67065
Marianne,

I did the same thing you are considering but, with a slightly smaller flat screen. A 34" I think. I found a swing arm mount at Sears that is very strong and made so that the tension on the elbow joints is adjustable. I keep a lot of tension on them and when folded flat against the wall it doesn't come out while traveling. The mount is bolted to a piece of solid maple which is screwed to the coach frame. It jiggles on rough roads but, I don't worry about it falling.

Greg Jones

'03 Intrigue 11571

Re: Modify TV cabinet

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 67093

The problem isn't the wall mount itself since they are probably overbuilt because of concerns of unknown monitor/TV weight, earthquakes, etc. It is the plastic TV housing that bothers me. Samsung built some of the best rated TV's out there but the attachment on the back to the wall unit flexes and bends the plastic all over the place.
Does not give me a warm fuzzy feeling driving down the road without additional support.
If your TV is built strong enough fine, but I don't know how you determine that. Every install I have seen by an RV manufacturer is very robust. Since most manufacturers don't spend a dime they don't need to I just think there is a message there.
I have a 36" TV installed in the basement using a swing out wall mount attached to the slide tray. Works fine but if it fails it isn't going to land in my lap.

Bob (rthandren@...)
'05 Inspire 51178

Re: Modify TV cabinet

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 67099
Thanks Bob and Greg,

The wall mount appears to be pretty snug and strong attached to the TV. We are still deciding on the correct outer proceedure to brace the TV as we travel down the bumpy road. The mount is rated for 60 lbs. The TV is 30 lbs. There should be minimal force applied to the wall mount but the problem is the swing out. How to stablize the TV and keep it in the frame.
Thanks,
Marianne

Re: Modify TV cabinet

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 67129
I mounted a 32 in. LCD TV on the outside of the front original TV cabinet. I used an articulating arm wall mount as Marianne mentions, but I also used industrial grade velcro to mount it to the frame as well. W/O the Velcro, I was more concerned about the mounting arm flexing and breaking due to fatigue. I can only hope that the mounting fastners on the back of the TV are over-engineered to take more stress than encountered in just hanging on the wall, but that can't be counted on. I feel that the Velcro and wall mount together ought to keep the 20 lb. TV up there. The Velcro removes all motion, and the mounting arm provides additional support.

George Harper
04 Allure
31093

Re: Modify TV cabinet

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 67147

Removing the potential for motion would go a long way to increasing durability and HD Velcro is tough stuff. Not a hanging situaton like the TV but it keeps my laptop in place on the snack tray very well.

Bob (rthandren@...)
'05 Inspire 51178