How to install flat panel TV... HELP!!

[JmesDean]

Hi everybody! First of all, I guess I should introduce my new Airstream... yep, I've joined the exclusive club of Airstream owners with a 2005 Safari SS (25') and I cannot tell you how stoked I am on this trailer. My wife and 2 kids (a 1- and 3-year old) are looking forward to our first trip to the river in the next few weeks. As you can imagine, we've spent the weekend shopping and stocking and we're just almost there.

Now since I have the 2 kids, a TV and DVD player are essential (those with youngins will agree: Dora the Explorer, Wiggles and Spongebob Squarepants DVDs). I've noticed some flat panel TVs can be mounted on the wall at the dinette, opposite the fridge (if sitting at the dinette facing the front couch, its the wall behind your head). Makes sense here as then you can extend the TV arm and flip it so you can watch from the bed... however, I'm nervous drilling into it as the fridge/freezer is right there. Anybody have any advice on a clean install? Thanks in advance!!

Footnote: I'm planning on putting the DVD player in the cabinet above the dinette, running the cables through the back corner. There's an antenna connection in there too as well as a prewired outlet(?).

[Tinsel Loaf]

Do you have a photograph of exactly where you want to mount it? BTW welcome to the fourms, nice to have you abord.

[j54mark]

Congradulations on your new coach, and welcome to the forum.

I believe there was an extensive thread on just this topic maybe a year ago. Do a search on "flat screen" or "lcd tv" and see if it comes up.

Yours,

Mark

[jcanavera]

We have considered putting an LCD TV on the bedroom wall just to the right of the door. The issue seems to be the mounting of the support arm which holds the TV. If you look at the factory installed TV, the support arm has many screws going into the wall. If you look at the aftermarket support arms, their mounting plate only has half the holes used by the mounting screws.

It looks like it takes many more smaller length screws to hold the mounting plate on the wall due to the fact that long screws will pass through the thin wall, and on my unit, into the shower stall.

These TV's are not lite and just the bouncing of the rear of the trailer during travel could tear a TV off the wall if it is insufficently secured.

Jack

[Tinsel Loaf]

Use short bolts and nuts, cut and put a large backing plate on the backside of the wall, like 14 inch plywood that will distribute the load over a wide surface. Of you can get to the backside be sure to glue the backing plate to the wall before installing the mount.

[67caravel]

I have the factory installed flat screen on my '04 22' CCD. The mount is great. The key, IMHO, is a sturdy mount (as described earlier) and stowing the TV as close to the mount as possible when traveling.

My '04 mount includes a "lock" that holds my TV to the mount when stowing. I've seen that the '05's have a large strap and velcro system that pulls the TV to the mount. It appears that the mfg changed the mount, removed the locking mechanism, and A/S created a "fix"... Frankly, I like my mount better. Mine is mounted on the side of the wardrobe where, I believe, the wall is heavy ply or particle board. There are at least 4 - 6 screws holding it all in position.

Where mine is mounted, I can pull the TV around the front of the wardrobe and view it from the bed - a nice setup.

Here are some pics of mine:

Stowed----------


Mount Detail-----------


In Action-------------

[jcanavera]

Originally Posted by Tinsel Loaf

Use short bolts and nuts, cut and put a large backing plate on the backside of the wall, like 14 inch plywood that will distribute the load over a wide surface. Of you can get to the backside be sure to glue the backing plate to the wall before installing the mount.

That would be the way I would do it if I could get to the wall backside. Unfortunately there is a shower stall in the way. That negates a backing plate or using screws with nuts. I just can't see short screws holding in my situation unless there are short molly bolts available.

Jack

[JmesDean]

All of you rock! Thank you so much for your input. The backing plate is a great idea as I was wondering how durable that pressed wood is .

I'm still in a quandry though as my fridge/freezer is on the other side of that wall. Has anybody had any experience installing a flat screen there and if so, do I need to pull out the fridge to do that (which leads to my next question, HOW?)

Thank you all again and looking forward to your advice!

T.

(I'll have pics up soon...)

[JmesDean]

Originally Posted by Xray

I have the factory installed flat screen on my '04 22' CCD. The mount is great. The key, IMHO, is a sturdy mount (as described earlier) and stowing the TV as close to the mount as possible when traveling.

My '04 mount includes a "lock" that holds my TV to the mount when stowing. I've seen that the '05's have a large strap and velcro system that pulls the TV to the mount. It appears that the mfg changed the mount, removed the locking mechanism, and A/S created a "fix"... Frankly, I like my mount better. Mine is mounted on the side of the wardrobe where, I believe, the wall is heavy ply or particle board. There are at least 4 - 6 screws holding it all in position.

Where mine is mounted, I can pull the TV around the front of the wardrobe and view it from the bed - a nice setup.

Nice set-up, Xray! That's a great location - except on my Safari, the sink is right below it and the microwave is where you have it mounted .

[JmesDean]

Originally Posted by Tinsel Loaf

Use short bolts and nuts, cut and put a large backing plate on the backside of the wall, like 14 inch plywood that will distribute the load over a wide surface. Of you can get to the backside be sure to glue the backing plate to the wall before installing the mount.

Thanks for the advice Loaf, but my fridge and freezer are right there. And I am in no shape or know-how to pull that out! Any other thoughts?

[Tinsel Loaf]

Look in your owners manual for the fridge, they usually include fridge mounting instructions. Since most of the refrigeration plumbing comes from the bottom and runs up the back, there probably is a rail at the top running along the top of the fridge for mouning itself or for support. Try tapping the panel surface to find something solid, other than the inside wall of the fridge to put self tapping metal screws. Wood screws will rip out on the first bump to go over.

[DEO]

Congrats on your new trailer...I have the same concern. I am planning on purchasing a flat screen to put in that cabinet but haven't got around to do the research.. Please let us know what you end up doing ... Also what do you have for a sound system. We have a CD player but have some wires in the sofa arms which I am sure relate to the sound system but not sure exactly what they are... Maybe the changer? What do you have there?

[JmesDean]

Originally Posted by DEO

Congrats on your new trailer...I have the same concern. I am planning on purchasing a flat screen to put in that cabinet but haven't got around to do the research.. Please let us know what you end up doing ... Also what do you have for a sound system. We have a CD player but have some wires in the sofa arms which I am sure relate to the sound system but not sure exactly what they are... Maybe the changer? What do you have there?

Hey DEO - funny, cuz I found those wires too! What are they for? lol My CD player has yet to work so I need to get that fixed ASAP (there's always going to be something...). I will definitely let you know what I find out and end up doing with the flat screen within the next week. Chat soon...

[zoom240]

JmsDean ...

I recently installed a flat screen tv - you can see it in "My Gallery". The area it was going to mount to was very thin. I took out the microwave/convection oven and cut a 2x4 so it fit on the backside. I had to notch the top/bottom of it so it fit flush against the thin paneling. The studs for the folding arm are screwed into the 2x4. It's all pretty solid now. Without that, I'm sure it would have torn the paneling out.

You'll really enjoy the TV. I've got to figure out a way to secure it though - it tends to slide forwards when I'm towing.

Dave