If you’re looking to mount a television in your trailer, you’ll need to know the right way to Mount a TV in an RV to protect your investment and not be drilling holes that you need to cover later. This guide will show you how to choose the right TV mount for a travel trailer, suitable for trailer walls, and how to secure your TV while traveling. Also, we will show you in detail how to properly install the brackets in the RV walls and have the TV mount installed easily. Here is a brief video to introduce you to this topic.
A widespread mistake is to see that the owners of a new travel trailer decide to install 2 or 3 TVs at the same time. They make the mistake of buying giant TVs they find on discount, and all TV mounts the same model, without first stopping to think if that size TV is suitable for the distance they have in the trailer room or if the TV mount will turn the angle I need to see the TV.
The decision to mount a TV in a travel trailer cannot be made lightly and needs to be thought out for each room in the trailer and each TV in particular. On the one hand, to protect the investment we made when we bought the travel trailer and avoid unnecessary devaluations. On the other hand, to improve the comfort and entertainment, we decide when to enjoy our travel trailer.
Let’s see a few frequently asked questions (FAQs), and then let’s dive into How to Mount a TV in an RV.
Table of Contents
FAQs About Mounting a TV in a Travel Trailer
What Are Camper Walls Made Of? What Is Behind Travel Trailer Walls?
Camper walls are typically made of either aluminum or fiberglass. Along the wall and ceiling, especially near the frames of the entrance doors, sliding doors, bathroom openings, and windows, there are vertical structures that run tangentially along the walls and ceiling of the travel trailers called “studs” that allow hanging objects of a certain weight from the walls of the trailers, such as mounting a TV, pictures, shelves, etc.
Can You Hang Things on RV Walls and Travel Trailer Walls?
Yes, you can hang heavy things and screw things on travel trailer walls. However, you should use the studs on walls and/or ceiling to hang heavy things, such as a TV, as travel trailer walls are thinner than a house wall.
What Kind of Wall TV Mount Should I Use for a Travel Trailer?
There are a few different types of wall TV mounts that can be used in a travel trailer or in any type of RV. Keep in mind there are also ceiling TV mounts suitable for recreational vehicles that you should consider as well.
The best type of mount to use will depend on the type of wall you have and the size and weight of your television. In this article, we discuss this decision in detail. You just need to go through the entire article and re-read it if necessary.
What Is the Screw Size for Mounting a TV in a Traver Trailer?
The screw size for mounting a TV in a travel trailer will depend on the type of wall you have and the size and weight of your television. The TV mount manufacturer provides screws. See the step-by-step below to learn more about How to Mount a TV in a Travel Trailer.
How to Mount a TV in a Travel Trailer – Step-by-Step
In this section, we show you tips you should follow and will be able to successfully mount a TV or other heavy item hanging on your travel trailer walls. This is the way we hang heavy stuff on a trailer wall.
Now, let’s see How to Mount a TV in a Travel Trailer, Step by Step, in detail.
#1 – Tools Needed to Mount a TV in a Travel Trailer and What an RV TV Mount Includes
Although you should check the description of each vendor, in general, the TV mount package includes the wall plate unit with all the screws needed for the installation (perfectly labeled and easy to identify which one is for what thing) and a couple more just for extra precaution.
What is Included: Most of the good commercial brands also includes a bubble level, one or two Allen key of the only size/s you will need to use to attach the TV mount, TV screws, washers, and spacers, a few zip ties to help you to hide the cables, and the user manual to guide you during the installation process. The tools provided by the manufacturer are suitable for mounting a TV in a travel trailer wall and attaching the brackets to the studs inside the wall or a wooden cabinet.
What is Not Included: The installation tools that are not included and you should have to mount a TV: Stud finder, band tape (2 m), pencil, screwdriver (Philips type), an electro drill with a 5/32″(4 mm) wood drill bit and a socket wrench 1/2″(13 mm) to fasten.
# 2 – Be Sure the TV Mount Selected Is Right for Your TV and Travel Trailer Walls
TV mounts are meant to be installed using the studs inside the travel trailer wall or a wooden cabinet. They are not suitable for installation in drywall without studs.
So, if you go further using this in drywall, you should modify the screw the manufacturer provides you, using drywall anchors, molly or toggle bolts, etc. If that is your situation, we recommend our article for RVs about How to Mount a TV on the Wall Without Studs.
Location with Support for Weight and Connections
Select the TV mount according to the location you want to mount the TV in your travel trailer.
You may need different types of TV mounts if you are going to install more than one TV in your trailer or if you pursue different advantages such as swiveling the TV, flip-down and up a TV, etc.
If you are going to use the studs on the wall or ceiling or a wooden cabinet to attach the TV mount, be sure you have these strong surfaces available closer to the electrical outlet and connections the TV will need once installed.
VESA Pattern
Verify if the TV VESA pattern is equal to or greater than the TV mount pattern.
If equal or greater, the VESA holes in the TV and TV mount will match. Otherwise, that TV mount is not suitable for you’re the size of your TV.
TV weight (including accessories)
Verify the TV mount is meant to support the TV weight (including accessories).
Every TV mount has a maximum weight that can support it. If your TV weight is above the maximum weight the TV mount can support, it is not the right TV mount for you. Choose other.
Wall Suitable for The TV Mount per Spec
Verify the type of wall suitable for the TV mount according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
TV mounts for travel trailers can be installed in walls 0.5″(12.7mm) thick or above wooden board. If that is the specification, this measure is suitable for travel trailers and you won’t need to measure. Just be sure to install using the wall studs, ceiling, or attaching to wooden cabinets.
Depending on the state of the wall you’re going to install, the structure of your travel trailer may require additional reinforcement or be attached to a wooden cabinet or ceiling supports, or just use a smaller TV if it’s too heavy. That’s another trick you can use instead of reinforcing the trailer wall.
Be Sure to Choose the Type of TV Mount Suitable for Your Entertainment
There are a few different types of TV mounts that can be used in an RV.
- First, according to the attaching location, TV mounts are classified into wall TV mounts and ceiling TV mounts.
- Second, according to the movement adjustable, TV mounts are classified as fixed TV mounts or mobile TV mounts (can be tilting mounts, swilling mounts, and full-motion mounts).
- Although less conventional to install, ceiling TV mounts can be fixed or flip-down, which is very advantageous for travel trailers to save space and very convenient to attach to structures with good support, such as the trailer ceiling or a wooden cabinet, and also convenient for reduced space as a trailer bedroom.
The best TV mount for a travel trailer will depend on the type of trailer walls you have and the size and weight of your television. You need to decide where you want to mount the TV in the travel trailer. There are two main options: attach a TV mount to an RV wall using studs (so mount on the wall) or mount on the RV ceiling or wooden cabinet.
The TV mounting on the wall is the more popular option since it gives you more flexibility in terms of where you place the TV.
Mounting on the RV ceiling is a good option if you have limited space or if you want to keep the TV out of the way, flipping down and up the TV.
Finally, once you have considered all of these factors, you are ready to start shopping for the best TV mount for your travel trailer.
Whatever method you choose, make sure you follow the instructions that come with your TV mount. And if you’re not sure, it’s always a good idea to ask a professional for help or contact the TV mount manufacturers. Many companies provide installation support when you contact them directly through their website, and they will return to you in 24 hours.
# 3 Mounting a TV in a Travel Trailer 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 trailer wall using a stud finder.
A wall stud is a key piece in the framing of a travel trailer of a vertical repetition of a smaller cross-section than a post. You will find these studs on the framing windows, doors, sliding doors, etc., of your travel trailer.
If you know the wall slightly, you will find the position. Also, in the morning, you will detect the location of the wall studs as the areas of greatest condensation. The easiest and most accurate way to detect correctly the studs in your travel trailer and protect your investment from drilling multiple holes in incorrect positions is to use a stud finder.
There are several stud-finders on the market for less than ten bucks that function with strong magnets and do not require batteries. Stud finders that rely solely on large magnets may not be suited for campers and may miss some materials that we are interested in not drilling. We recommend utilizing a stud finder with great sensitivity, such as the one shown below (the Folai Stud Finder).
The Folai stud finder is our recommended stud finder for RVs because it is the smallest, most accurate for recreational vehicles, and is a user-friendly stud finder. This stud finder features superior sensor technology, allowing you to detect the stud correctly and rapidly in travel trailers, campers, motorhomes, and fifth wheels. It is also a professional stud finder that can be used on building sites. This affordable stud finder suitable for RVs has five scanning modes that can detect fire lines, metal tubes, studs, timber frames, brackets, and steel bars. Folai can also identify studs in RV ceilings and items deeply entrenched behind walls.
Let’s move on to the next step of this guide to learn How to Mount a TV in an RV or Camper Trailer.
#4 – Attaching the TV Plate to the Back of Your TV
Your TV mount has two important big pieces: the TV plate, which is meant to be attached to the back of your TV, and the wall plate, which is meant to be drilled and attached to the travel trailer wall.
First, let’s attach the TV plate to the TV. For attaching the TV plate to your TV, you will use hardware provided by the TV mount manufacturer. Keep in mind not all the hardware provided will be used. Don’t be scared if you have several screws you didn’t use by the end of the installation.
You will have different VESA holes. Just use the right configuration suitable between the TV plate and your TV. Every set of screws is labeled. Just use the right labeled screws for the configuration use have selected. Remember that you don’t need electrical drills to attach the TV plate to the back of your TV. Just screws, washers, and/or spacers, depending on the model of the TV/TV mount.
#5 – Attaching the Wall Plate of the TV Mount to the Travel Trailer Wall
Now, we are going to attach the wall plate of the TV mount to the travel trailer wall. One important detail to consider on this point is TV plates are usually off-center to the wall plate.
This off-center could be about 0.8″ or more (20 mm or more) to the wall plate. So, when you are setting the measuring and marking with the pencil where to drill in the stud, consider the off-center and calculate when positioning your TV on the wall.
The user’s manual usually advises this off-center issue, providing numbers for the calculation. Before drilling the wall, do the calculations!
Firstly, using a pencil, measure and mark the positions of the holes above the wall studs by placing them over the wall of the TV mount as many times as needed. Make use of the level supplied by the TV mount manufacturer.
Following that, drill pilot holes in the designated areas. You can practice beforehand. Present the TV brackets to ensure that the placement is proper before proceeding with the drilling.
Finally, to attach the TV mount to the travel trailer wall, use the included hardware to screw the mount into the wall.
All four lag bolts (highlighted as “1” in the picture below) must be firmly tightened to prevent unwanted movement of the wall plate assembly. Ensure the wall plate assembly is securely fastened to the travel trailer wall before continuing to the next step.
#6 – Hang the TV in the TV Mount of Your Travel Trailer
To end, the final step of this guide for learning how to mount a TV in a travel trailer is to verify the TV mount installation before hanging the TV.
Before hanging the TV, please conduct the “wall plate installation integrity test” first, as you can see in the picture below. Check the TV mount’s attachment to the wall with your hands.
Only if the TV mount is firmly attached to the travel trailer walls, then hang the TV in the mount. Depending on the size or model, adjust the screws as needed to attach the TV to the TV mount. A partner may be needed to hang the TV together into the TV mount.
Finally, tilting angle adjustment, TV leveling adjustment as needed, and arranging cables around to improve the presentation.
We hope with this step-by-step guide you will learn all about How to mount a TV in a travel trailer wall.
Following these tips, you should be able to successfully mount a TV or any heavy stuff in your travel trailer walls with no inconvenience.
