Flat Screen TV Mount?

[Dreamscape]

We are going to be installing a flat screen LCD TV, probably 27" or so. We need a full motion type, and want the strongest we can find. It needs to swing out/pivot at least 90 degrees.  I have googled and found several types of articulating, full motion styles. I guess I get nervous cause I don't want to thing crashing down from a weak mount, especially in our bus. Even though our ride is phenomenal I don't want to take any chances.

Any ideas on what you have used that has worked would be most appreciated!

Paul

[muddog16]

Paul, when you purchase your flat panel, there will be a instruction booklet, a 32" fptv weighs about 30 pounds, in your manual they will recommend a specific mount for your tv.   Just a note here, they also don't recommend flat panels for RV's, but like you and many others I probably won't listen to them!  What ever mount you pick, my recommendation would be to use bolts that go completely through the panel you are mounting the tv to!  Also use large flat washers to distribute the weight better.  On the back of many flat panels there is a safety mounting bolt also, which would use a wire or small cable should something else fail!  In my case the tv will be mounted over my head, the idea of 30 lbs crashing down will driving isn't a great thought!  find somewhere in the chassis structure to anchor that safety wire and make it very short!  With air bags and the smooth ride of a bus can be deceptive, the idea of 30 pounds bouncing up and down can be a very real problem, don't use wood screws to mount the tv!!!!   A good class 5 bolt with washers and locknuts would be the wise selection!  Wal Mart had a very good selection of mounts they had some cheap ones but they also had some very nice heavy duty looking mounts!  The mounts are rated for the size and weight of the tv!   Good luck!

[cody]

The idea of flat screen tvs not being recommended for mobile use is only partially correct, there are basically 2 types of flat screen, plasma and LCD, both can be used in a mobile application but plasma is more suseptible to problems associated with motion and isn't generally recommended, LCD seems to function well and is being used extensively for rv's.  The mount should be secure and heavy duty, there are many mounts that are articulated and should work well, we bought ours at walmart, they had one for about 30 dollars that was lighter duty than the one we bought for around 60, as was mentioned instead of screwing to a header, bolt it thru with either a support panel behind it or large washers .

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi Paul,

From expierence, don't use the after market mounting systems. They are not designed for a moving vehicle.

I have gone through two 32" LCD flats in the living area because of vibration of the mount. I seem to get a year out of one

unless I hit a very large pothole.. The third is now mounted ridgedly. I found longer screws that went through the 3/4"

plywood substructure over my driver area enclosure and right into the TV mounting holes. No more ratteling TV mount...

Good Luck
Nick-

[WEC4104]

If you go with the articulated mount, you might also consider providing a "stowed" position for when the screen is not in use. For my own use, I am thinking about having the arm fold to a location with the screen against the wall. Then there will be a means to fasten the screen down that takes the weight off the mounting arm.  For rougher roads, this should help.   Keep in mind, the longer the arm is extended, the more stress is created on the mount. 

[cody]

Nicks idea is the best if you can do it, mount the tv directly to the bulkhead in the front by bolting thru and directly into the mounting holes in the back of the tv, the bounce from going down the road may be minimal but it still takes it's toll over time. As is mentioned, we brace the tv while in motion to minimize any movement or bouncing while on the road.  A wide velcro strap attached to the wall behind the tv secures it by coming around to the front and securing it nicely, no muss, no fuss.

[VanTare]

Paul the motorized lifts seem to to a better job of securing the TV I have had both and both types TV and most TVs on today's market require power all the time so check that feature also.My coach has a 32inch in the bedroom built in so far no trouble only the re progaming every time on air or has lost power to it,  and a projection in the living area with wide screen and that may be a option for you they are a neat setup just a pull down screen . 

on to Tampa
David

[jjrbus]

When mounting my LCD tv's I looked at the available mounts and decided they were not up to the job. In the master bedroom I mounted a groved to accept the bottom of the TV piece of oak secured to the wall and where the carrying handle was on the top used modified eye bolts through a framing member!!  A bit overkill but it ain't goin nowhere.  Bedroom is to small to take photo.

The main salon TV is custom made but similar to a store bought mount, 4 tiny little metric screws hold it in place. The TV folds up so is laying flat for travel. The frame work is angle iorn welded or bolted to frame work of the bus.     HTH   Jim

[cody]

Jim, thats a great mount but you may want to look up, you've got a tree coming at you lol.

[muddog16]

Hey Nick, do you care to post which flat panels you didn't have any luck with!  I actually went to wal mart to look at them, i lucked into the electronics head......he talked my leg off about which ones were tough and why!  He never said one thing good about plasma.....other than he had a pallet load to go back to the manufacturer.  He said the plasma's were so fragile they broke two mounting them for display!   He walked over to Samsung...........and slapped the crap out of it several times.............to make a point on how it could take some abuse and survive!  I was impressed but I didn't buy a samsung, i bought a 32" Sony......I guess like everyone else "I'll" find out on my own!.........Cody in the manual, it actually showed a application for trailers and RV's with a slash through the image!  I'm pretty hard headed but I did take notice!

[JackConrad]

We have 2 flat screen LCD TVs in our coach. Both were installed in openings that formerly held CRT TVs. We used the standard fixed mounts that only allow a few degrees of side to side and up & down movement. About 18 months and no problems so far (knocking on wood as I am typing).  Jack

[jjrbus]

 Not the first time a tree jumped in front of me   

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hey Nick, do you care to post which flat panels you didn't have any luck with!  I actually went to wal mart to look at them, i lucked into the electronics head......he talked my leg off about which ones were tough and why!  He never said one thing good about plasma.....other than he had a pallet load to go back to the manufacturer.  He said the plasma's were so fragile they broke two mounting them for display!   He walked over to Samsung...........and slapped the crap out of it several times.............to make a point on how it could take some abuse and survive!  I was impressed but I didn't buy a samsung, i bought a 32" Sony......I guess like everyone else "I'll" find out on my own!.........Cody in the manual, it actually showed a application for trailers and RV's with a slash through the image!  I'm pretty hard headed but I did take notice!

I Pat,

I now have all LCD HD Sony Vio's in the bus. The trouble one's were Magnvox LCD HD's and Panasonic Plazma.

Jim,
Are you watching Disney Channel?

Nick-

[cody]

Nick I think he's watching, "the little mermaid", I never thought he was that way lmao.

[JackConrad]

I t5hought that he was watching Sponge Bob.  Actually I think Josephine was watching TV when Jim took the photo.  Jack