If you’re looking to add a television to your camper, you’ll need to know how to attach a TV mount to an RV wall, step-by-step. This guide will show you from choosing the best RV TV mount suitable to your purpose to keeping your TV secured while traveling and properly installed and mounted in your RV. Also, we include some common questions about using TV mounts in RVs, such as “Can you use a regular TV mount in an RV?”, “How to choose the best TV mount for my RV?”. Let’s move on and see how to attach a TV mount in an RV. Here is a brief video to introduce you to this topic.
Table of Contents
Can You Screw Things into RV Walls?
It’s not uncommon to want to hang shelves or want to mount a TV in your camper, but you might be wondering if you can screw things into the RV walls.
The answer is yes, you can screw things into RV walls. However, there are a few things to keep in mind to protect the RV walls.
First, make sure that whatever you’re screwing into the wall is actually meant to be mounted. Some types of furniture and decorations are not meant to be mounted in an RV, so check the manufacturer’s instructions first.
Second, be aware of where the studs are in the RV walls. It’s essential to screw into a stud whenever possible, as this will provide the most support for whatever you’re mounting. The best way to hang heavy things on RV walls is using studs. If you can’t find a stud in the area where you need to place the TV, we recommend you learn How to Mount a TV on the Wall Without Studs by following the link to our article before trying to attach things to a wall with no studs.
Third, use the right type of screw. Screws that are too long or too big can cause damage to the RV walls, so make sure you use screws that are the right size.
Fourth, be careful not to over-tighten the screws. You don’t want to strip the threads or break the head off the screw, so don’t tighten them too much.
Can You Use a Regular TV Mount in an RV?
If you are looking to attach a TV mount to your RV, you may be wondering if you can use a regular TV mount. The answer is yes. You can use a regular TV mount in an RV. However, make sure the length of the screws is suitable for your RV walls.
On the other hand, make sure that the TV mount is compatible with the size and weight of your TV and does not obstruct any doors or windows when placed.
Follow these tips, and you’ll be able to attach your TV mount in no time successfully! However, there are many advantages of mount TVs specially designed for RVs, especially if they are mobile mount TVs. Therefore, we recommend attaching TV Mounts designed for RVs to the RV walls (RV TV Mounts).
What Kind of TV Mount Should I Use for an RV?
Before attaching a TV mount to an RV wall, there are a few different types of TV mounts for RVs. So, What is the Best RV TV Mount for me?
The best type of RV TV mount to use will depend on the type of RV wall you have and the size and weight of your television.
If you’re looking for a way to add a television to your RV, you might be wondering what kind of wall TV mount you should use.
Here are a few things to consider when choosing a TV mount for your RV:
- The weight of the TV. Make sure the mount you choose can support the weight of your TV.
- The size of the TV. You’ll want to make sure the mount you choose can accommodate the size of your TV.
- The type of RV. Some RVs have walls that are thicker than others. Make sure the mount you choose can work with the thickness of your RV’s walls.
- The location of the TV. You’ll want to make sure the mount you choose will allow you to place the TV in the location you want it. It could be a wall TV mount or a ceiling TV mount for RVs.
- The type of TV and the VESA hole pattern. See the VESA hole pattern of the TV mount according to your TV. Some TVs require special mounts. Make sure the mount you choose is compatible with the type of TV you have.
Let’s move on and see how to attach a TV mount to an RV wall, step by step.
How To Attach A TV Mount To An RV Wall (Step-by-Step)
Attaching a TV mount to an RV wall is very similar to mounting a TV in a house. The difference is in a house you may have dry walls, although we still can have wall studs and use them to install the wall TV mount.
In a camper, you will try to use the studs to attach a TV mount to an RV wall, instead of making holes that will damage your property and decrease the RV value.
Let’s see the steps for attaching a TV to an RV wall:
Step 1: Decide the Distance and Height for Ideal Entertainment
When attaching the TV to the RV wall, ensure you will not need to move it again. These are the two most significant factors to consider when deciding where is the best location to place the TV in an RV: distance and height of the TV.
Distance to the Screen – Perfect Distance for the TV
Verify you have a comfortable distance to the screen of your TV. There is a perfect distance between the TV and your eyes. However, the space of an RV can be limited. So, be sure the size of the TV is not too big for a small RV location. Otherwise, you will be very close to the screen. If you have a tiny space, you might want to consider a smaller television.
Height of the TV
How tall should the TV be placed in an RV? The height at which you position the television affects your comfort, especially in the neck and upper back.
While seated, maintain the center of your TV at eye level, according to experts. The general guideline is that a 42″ TV should be placed around 56 inches from the floor to the center of the TV, and a 55″ should be 61 inches. A 65″ TV should be placed around 65 inches from the floor to the center of the TV, and a 70″ should be 67 inches. As you can see, the higher the television should be mounted, the larger it should be.
So, the center of the television should be at eye level. You should be able to watch TV without having to lean back or glance down.
Step 2: Decide the Location to Attach the TV Mount
The chosen location must meet certain requirements:
- Ideally, it should have within reach an electrical outlet and other connections necessary for the operation of your TV.
- The wall must support the weight of the TV and the TV mount.
- If the TV mount is mobile (non-fixed TV mount), you must have studs on the wall or ceiling. Otherwise, the TV mount may come loose and fall. Each wall-mount requires a stud to function properly.
Step 3: Choose the Right TV Mount
- Verify the VESA hole pattern of the TV mount is suitable for your TV. Some TVs require special TV mounts.
- Verifying the TV mount selected will provide you with the angle and movement needed to watch TV at the distance and height comfortable for the location and the neck of the viewers.
- TV mounts can be placed in the RV walls and the RV ceilings. Models can be fixed, swiveled, tilts, and flip-down from the ceiling, taking advantage of small places like RV bedrooms, under cabinets, etc. You need to choose the right one for each location.
- Choose lockable TV mounts for RVs. The way to secure a TV while traveling in an RV is by using a TV mount. However, a TV mount that is swiveling while traveling will not secure your TV. There are many lockable TV mounts for RVs in the market, easy to install and easy to lock up. Be sure to check this in advance before attaching a TV mount to your RV.
Step 4 for Attaching a TV Mount to an RV Wall: Find the Studs
Now, you have the best TV mount in your hands, the location in mind, and you know how tall you want to mount the TV. The next step is to find the studs in the RV wall using a stud finder.
What is a Stud and Where to Find My RV Studs?
A wall stud is a key piece in the framing of a travel trailer and a fifth wheel of vertical repetition of a smaller cross-section than a post. They help form a structure by holding windows, doors, interior trim, exterior cladding or siding, insulation, etc.
How Do You Find Studs in An RV Wall?
In a camper, you will find these stiles framing windows, doors, sliding doors, etc.
- Although RV studs cannot be seen with the naked eye, they can be easily found as the areas of greatest condensation with early morning dew moisture, and you can leave a mark to locate them later.
- Another easy way to locate RV wall studs is to use a stud finder.
There are some stud-finders on the market for only 10 dollars that work with important magnets without batteries. Stud finders only based on big magnets may not be suitable for campers and lose the detection of certain materials that we are interested in not drilling. We recommend using a high-sensitivity stud finder like the one mentioned below.
Let’s move on to the next step of this guide to learn How to Attach A TV Mount to an RV Wall.
Step 5: Measure and Mark the Locations
Place the brackets over the wall. Then, take a pencil to measure and mark the locations of the holes over the studs on the wall. Use the level provided by the TV mount manufacturer.
Step 6: Drill Pilot Holes
Next, you’ll need to drill pilot holes at the marked locations. You can pre-drill. Present the TV brackets to see if the location is correct, and then continue drilling.
Step 6: Screw the TV Mount
Finally, to attach the TV mount to the RV wall, you’ll need to screw the mount into the wall using the provided hardware.
Finally, the last step of this guide for learning How to Attach A TV Mount to an RV Wall.
Step 7: Mount the TV in the TV Mount
Test with your hands that the TV mount is firmly attached to the wall. Then, mount the TV. Arrange the cables for a better presentation.
Recommended Post: How to Mount a TV in a Travel Trailer
We hope with this step-by-step guide, you will learn all about How to Attach A TV Mount to an RV Wall.
Following these tips, you should be able to successfully attach a TV mount to your RV walls with no inconvenience.
