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Have you ever finished a DIY project and discovered that you’d made a massive mistake?
If so, you’re not alone! Recently, one Redditor posted about her unfortunate error when mounting a TV in her camper.
However, it wasn’t until she was packing up her tools after admiring the work that she noticed she had made a significant error. What did she do?
Today, we’re sharing her experience so you can avoid making the same mistake. Let’s dive in!
Can You Hang a TV in an RV?
Because RVs need to be lightweight, they have a much different construction than a typical sticks-and-bricks home.
As a result, you won’t find the exact wall studs in an RV like in a home. However, manufacturers often install special supports to hold TVs in specific areas of the rig.
Many manufacturers use thin metal plates for these supports. They’re often strong enough to withstand the weight of a TV. While they’re usually near TV connections in the wall or ceiling, you can use magnets to find the exact location of these supports.
RVer Mounts TV and Drills Through Wall
One RVer learned that the screws you use when mounting a TV matter. While the TV wasn’t likely going anywhere anytime soon, the screws securing it to the wall were half an inch or so too long.
The result was the tips of the screws punctured the exterior fiberglass of the RV.
The hardware that comes with most TV mounts is for residential applications, not RVs.
The walls of an RV are thinner, and you must adjust the screws accordingly. If not, you could make this same mistake.
How Should You Repair Holes in Your RV Wall?
Unfortunately, holes are the last thing you want in an RV. You must remove the screws from the wall and patch the holes as soon as possible. You can fill the hole with a clear silicone like Lexel and wipe it smooth.
Once the silicone dries, place a decal or sticker over the holes to provide an additional layer of protection. If you have a vinyl or sticker store nearby, they can print a decal matching your rig.
If you really want it to look perfect again, you can follow the steps in the below video:
How Can You Avoid Drilling Through RV Wall?
This is a mistake that’s very easy to make and avoid. It’s always best to check the depth of your wall with the length of the screws you plan to use. You can’t assume that the mount’s hardware will work for your unique situation in an RV.
Typically, the TV mount screws will be far too long for an RV. As a result, you may need to find screws that work at the hardware store. However, before grabbing your keys and heading to the store, measure the depth of your walls.
You can usually do this by opening a door or window and looking at the depth of the frame.
How to Properly Mount a TV in an RV
When mounting a TV in your RV, you want to do it right the first time. This helps you avoid wasting time and damaging your rig. Let’s examine how you can adequately mount a TV in your RV.
Mount Only in a TV Designated Area
Unfortunately, you can’t pick any spot in an RV to mount your TV. The walls cannot handle the TV’s weight. If you don’t secure the TV to the wall, it will eventually crash to the ground and damage your rig.
You can only mount a TV in the areas the manufacturers designated. They’ll place a sticker that says “mount TV here,” as they have installed a metal plate in the wall to help increase the strength.
Trust us, don’t install your TV anywhere without one of these stickers.
Keep in Mind: Looking for a new TV for your RV? These are the best TVs for Your RV on the market!
Choose the Right Mount
Once you know where to affix your RV, you must consider your mount options. You’ll typically choose between a fixed, tilting, or full-motion mount. Which mount is suitable depends on where you’ll put the TV.
The full-motion mounts provide a tremendous amount of flexibility regarding the viewing angle. You can pull the TV out, adjust it for the best view, and tuck it against the wall when not in use.
Attach the TV Mount to the Wall
Once you’ve picked the location and selected the mount, it’s time to attach it to the wall. However, as the Redditor demonstrated, you must check the screw size.
If the screws are too long, they’ll puncture your wall, and you’ll end up the subject of our next blog post.
In addition, you want to use a level to ensure you place the mount as evenly as possible. This isn’t something that you want to estimate. Precision is crucial, and you’ll see how precise you are when you finish.
Attach TV to the Wall Mount
Depending on the size of your TV, you may need an extra set of hands to attach it to the wall mount. The last thing you want is to get this far in the process and drop it.
Mounts typically come with various screws and other hardware to ensure you have the right size for your TV. Be careful not to over-tighten the bolts when connecting your TV to the hardware.
Run Cabling
After securing your TV, you must run the cabling from any device to your TV. You want to keep this as neat as possible and avoid any slack in the lines.
Many manufacturers place plugins and TV connections near the mounting plates so you can easily hide the wiring. It may be worth purchasing a small packet of zip-ties or velcro strips to coil the cabling and secure it.
Keep in Mind: Keep your TV locked in place with one of these 5 Best Locking TV Mounts for Your RV!
Don’t Damage Your RV When Mounting a TV
While having a TV in your RV may sound like a good idea, it’s not worth causing severe damage. While this Redditor may have goofed up this project and their RV, it’s nothing that you can’t fix or repair.
It’s a mistake many others have made before, and many more will make in the future. However, now that you know what to watch for, you don’t have to be one of those who make the same mistake.
What are some of the most prevalent DIY errors you’ve heard about?
