A recreational van, or more popularly abbreviated as RV, is an increasingly popular choice today. An RV is primarily a vehicle or a motor that also facilitates accommodation. It is a home on wheels, literally.
An RV is equipped with living quarters and all the necessities that are needed for a primary residence. The foremost way of entertainment in an RV is TV and its is important to learn how to install a flat screen TV in an RV.
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While an RV is typically used to take a trip, to travel to new places, explore hidden areas, connect with nature by staying in the middle of it, it can also be used as a home away from home. Whether it is used to take a long road journey or whether it is used as a stay place in the middle of nowhere you are sure to spend a lot of time in your RV.
When you consider the accessories for your RV a lot of comfort-loving things must come into your head. A hot favorite is a TV. News, music, sports, and entertainment all packed into one instrument, making it one of the must-have RV camping accessories. Let us take a look at some of the benefits of having a TV in your RV:
Necessity Of A TV In An RV
News
No matter where you are going and what you are doing, you always want to be connected to the story. You want to know what is happening and if there is something that needs your immediate attention. There could be an urgency that impacts you positively or negatively, and TV helps you stay updated.
Sports
All the sports addicts, do I hear you should YAY? Following your favorite sport while traveling is something everyone loves. Why should you miss out on your ideal league matches just because you are traveling? A TV can help you solve that conundrum.
Long Journey
For all you know, you could be spending a whole lot of time in your RV. Your journey could be a long one and require a lot of time on the road. There are different things you would want to do to not get bored. TV helps a lot as you cannot spend the entire time reading or talking. You need entertainment, and there is no denying that.
If you are traveling with kids and they only have that RV to be in, you know TV will help. It will truly help a lot. Kids either need a massive space to play, or they need that TV to keep them entertained. So if you don’t want to deal with kid tantrums, the TV would help with it.
Catch Up
Taking a break does not necessarily mean you have to do a big, expensive trip. A small getaway to a quiet place where you can binge watch your show also is the break you need. A smart flat screen TV in your RV helps with that. You can catch up on all lost entertainment if you have a TV in there.
A lot of people want to be connected to nature but obviously, don’t want to be detached from the basic comfort of lives. One should not have to give something up to get something else. If you love the convenience that TV provides, sometimes all you need to decide is that your RV should have the TV installed in it.
A good flat screen TV in an RV has a lot more comfort advantages, and it is undoubtedly an accessory one must have. While a lot can be talked over how it is necessary, it is also essential to look at precisely what you will need to install a flat screen TV in an RV.
Accessories For TV Installation In An RV
Below are some of the points one might consider when looking at TV installation in RV so that a correct and aware choice is made:
Flat Screen
If you think your old model TV is good for a Recreational Van, you are very wrong. The old model TV was made to be placed with support below. You cannot have that standing on a wall without support for long. It won’t stay on the wall. You will need a smart flat screen TV that is made to be hung on the wall for proper and effective viewing.
Power Of The TV
You cannot run a normal high power consuming TV in an RV. The RV has limited power, and you need a TV that can work within that power nicely without any hiccups. Generally, a 12v TV can work correctly in an RV. Now there are adaptors that can make any TV work, but then with a good and easy choice, there will be one less thing to worry about. There are already too many things involved, so maybe you want to choose a TV that fits with a normal plug.
Adaptor
Now, once you have chosen a TV for your RV. You will also need a good working adaptor to connect it. There are a lot RV adaptor options available and depending on the TV choice; adaptor should be chosen. You would want to make choices that reduce the electrical instruments used and not increase them.
Size And Weight Of TV
Before you install a TV, you should check on the size of the TV. What can your RV fit? Can it mount a big flat TV or would you have to do with a smaller version? It will depend on the size of the RV and the requirement that you have. It is advisable to consider the weight that your RV mount can hold before buying an RV TV. Prevention is better than cure, and you should consider these to prevent any mishaps.
Location Of TV
Which part of the RV would the TV be in? Is there sufficient wall space for TV? Is there an electrical connection port around it? If you choose a completely new place, you would also need to place the electric connection port to fix the TV. The place of the TV should be practical and decided after considering whether the TV would fit into that space or not.
Mount Of TV
Depending on the location and the size, you will have to decide on the type of mount that you need for your RV TV. The mount should be durable and reliable. You will also have to decide if you want a stationary mount or a swivel one and whether the place can facilitate a swivel mount. You will need brackets around the mount that will hold the TV when RV is being driven around.
TV Reception
While you have decided on the TV, you need and where you want to install it, also consider the cable or TV reception that you need. If you need a local cable reception from where you are parked, it is offered at a lot of RV parks. You will need your antenna to receive the reception for the TV to show any channels. If you want the RV to have signals all along the drive too, you should consider buying a satellite connection. It will be costly but provides just as many benefits.
Antenna
For any sort of reception from local parking space or a dish satellite, you will need an antenna installed on your RV. You will need a dome antenna to work for a dish connection. In all probability, if you choose a smart TV, you can simply connect your phone to it and watch the movies in comfort of your RV at the huge flat screen TV.
How To Install A Flat Screen TV In An RV
We have discussed what all should be considered when we buy an RV TV to help you choose a good flat screen TV for your RV. You also need to know how to install a flat screen TV in an RV. Below is the procedure highlighted in detail:
Usually, all the RV and campervans have a TV box usually at the front, and it is equipped for an old model TV. You will have to work around this plywood box to fit in your flat screen TV
Measurement
Measure how deep inside the TV box should your mount be and mark that point for reference. The inside part will be for the edge of your horizontal beams, and this should be measured up to the outside edge of the TV box. You will then need to add some more space, ideally 1.6’’ to the depth and mark these for top and bottom both sides
Attaching The Mount
Next, measure the size of your TV box and get the mounts of 2×4 of that height. These will be your vertical mounts. These need to be installed as per the depth measured with screws. The screws used should be around 3” wood screws. Install it carefully and ensure that you use at least 4-5 screws per mount so that it is attached strongly.
Horizontal Mount
Depending on how you want your TV to be positioned, horizontal mounts need to be installed. The horizontal mounts will hold the TV. Use minimum two screws of 3’’ each at the ends of your horizontal mount and minimum eight all over. It will be preferable to pre-drill horizontal beams so that the screws do not split the wood.
Wall Mount
Now that the horizontal and vertical mounts are placed, you will need to install the wall mount. Wall mounts are usually attached from the center of the horizontal beams. Measure the center of horizontal beams and mark the location for the wall mount on it. It is essential that the wall mount is nicely secured. While using a three bolt wall mount, secure the end with two bolts. Pre-drill the holes for wall mount with ¼” drill bit. This should make it ready for installing the wall mount.
Attach The TV
Install the wall mount into the pre-drilled holes and check if it is correctly secured. Once checked, your TV is ready to be placed on the wall mount. Attach the flat screen TV for RV to the wall mount and check if it is secured. Always check that the mount can handle the weight and position of the TV.
Brackets
While this is optional, the L brackets should be utilized when installing a TV in an RV. L brackets are cheap and provide additional safety. Two L brackets should be used to connect the vertical mounts to horizontal mounts and that way your TV will be 100% secured. Additionally, two side brackets installed on the outside of the TV will keep it in place even when the RV is being driven.
Electrical Connection
Don’t forget to have a well-placed plug that helps you connect the TV on. While your TV can also work on the normal plug, you might need an additional adaptor to connect that TV to the electrical socket. Check for all these things and arrange them before you start that ride.
Installing a flat screen TV on an RV is not that difficult. If followed diligently, the instructions are simple, and the TV should be installed in a couple of hours. You need to consider all the external factors, as well as the mere installation of TV, would not mean it is going to work. All the essential pointers have been mentioned.
Conclusion
I hope this article helps you in getting that flat screen TV onto your RV and makes your trips memorable. Take that long pending staycation break with your RV and enjoy uninterrupted binge with incredible TV viewing at a quiet and comfortable place. Everyone deserves a break in the way they desire it. Do the things you love unapologetically!