This is NOT a question about installing a HD LCD TV, but whether there is a NEED to provide some extra measures to:
Provide "cushioning" for the TV with shock absorbing (foam or rubber) properties, when driving?
Provide a method to "lock" the TV into (or onto) the existing cabinet
We had a TV/AV "specialist" advise us that they DO home theater installations but declined to provide installation in a motor home. They were concerned that the TV would become a "falling missile" (our TV cabinet is above the driver's chair) in case of an accident or due to road vibration. They didn't feel the normal home wall or ceiling mounts were sufficient. Liability issue, I guess.
Those of you who have replaced your CRT's with LCD's, are those "real" concerns? Vibration? Secure mounting?
I went a slightly different route when I replaced my front overhead tv with an LCD. Primarily driven by the fact that any tv that I found which would fit into the cabinet was actually a smaller picture than the old TV, I replaced it with an LCD that fits over the front of the cabinet.
I mounted a vertical sheet of 3/4" plywood in the space left by the old TV, then used a standard LCD TV wall mount (the type with the swivel arm) to mount the TV. Since I mounted the plywood vertical, normal tension holds the TV in place, though I did add a couple of "hold-the-sliding-door-closed" plastic strips with snaps to the bottom to secure it.
Though I have driven with it in place, I do usually remove it for travel - just requires unplugging the power, 4 or 5 cables, and then I lift the TV (with the bracket still attached to it) off the mounting plate and lay the TV on the bed. Takes about one minute.
On a prior MH I did go the inside-the-cabinet route, and there I did add some foam padding under the TV as well as around it (bracing from behind with some wood strips and using angle-iron brackets to hold the TV tight against the wood. All was padded with foam like the type you would use around a door. No problems driving 10k miles with this arrangement. This was a smaller (22"?) LCD that was fairly light.
I drive a Class B. We removed the old 13" TV that was in a cabinet. We mounted a new LCD HDTV 19" beneath that cabinet. We installed a DVD player in the cabinet. Thus far, no problem with the 19" TV mounted on a swivel mount. I absolutely love the new TV with more channels using the original antenna.
FritoBandito wrote: This is NOT a question about installing a HD LCD TV, but whether there is a NEED to provide some extra measures to:
Provide "cushioning" for the TV with shock absorbing (foam or rubber) properties, when driving?
Provide a method to "lock" the TV into (or onto) the existing cabinet
We had a TV/AV "specialist" advise us that they DO home theater installations but declined to provide installation in a motor home. They were concerned that the TV would become a "falling missile" (our TV cabinet is above the driver's chair) in case of an accident or due to road vibration. They didn't feel the normal home wall or ceiling mounts were sufficient. Liability issue, I guess.
Those of you who have replaced your CRT's with LCD's, are those "real" concerns? Vibration? Secure mounting?
Securing is a must. I learned that the hard way. Brand new 26" LCD in the cabinet and when I got to destination it was jammed between the slide and the cabinet and resting on the below cabinet door knobs. Bent both knobs down. Had a hard time reaching in with 1 hand and trying to dislodge and lift the 35 lb thing up!!!
Fortunately no damage to the TV and it is still working just fine...
Since then I cover the TV with a small blanket, place a pillow in front and I installed 2 eyehooks inside cabinet and secure the TV with a bungee cord. No more problems and it saves having to remove the TV for travel and disconnecting all those wires...
Scott
2005 Dodge 3500 4X2 HO CTD Dually 6 Speed
2005 Springdale 266RELL GL
Reese HP Dual Cam
Prodigy BC
2 Honda EU2000i's
2 Lifeline 31 Series AGM 12V RV Batts
2006 Harley XL1200R
SP 2610 GPS
26" Samsung LCD HD TV
I mounted our bedroom LCD TV with two screws through the base. That's been fine as it is really light weight.
For the living room set, 32" LCD,, since it did not fit in the cabinet particularly well, I screwed two hardwood 1" X 2" to the top and bottom of the existing opening and mounted a piece of 3/4" plywood to that. The TV is mounted to a swivel arm when we are parked and rides on the couch when we are traveling. It took a bit of work to get it right, but it does work well.
Carriage Cameo 33CKQ | 08 GMC 3500HD CC LB Duramax Dually | Sam the Cat and the Labs | Best wife going
I have some pictures and video on my website which show a couple flat screen conversions in my own motorhome.
If you are interested in looking send me a PM and I will send you the link.
Don Sweger
Me, the DW, 2 dogs and more.
1998 Overland Larado, 41', one slide, 325 Cummins, '02 Jeep Liberty Upgrades we've done: SMI-Air Force 1 towed brake system, replaced all 3 TVs with new hiDef LCDs, inst. Xantrex 2Kw Inverter, Prog. Ind. HW50 surge protector
Bouncing around inside a motorhome or trialer is not gong to hurt a tv. Im pretty sure they are shipped via truck. Banging them around is another story.
Thanks to all who responded with their experience, suggestions, etc.
Being somewhat "physically" (right arm and leg) handicapped, due to a 2001 stroke, removing the TV for travel would be difficult for us. Making it secure and accommodating the road vibration is probably our route.
The 26" Panasonic Living Room LCD and 19" Samsung Bedroom LCD will have to be "padded" & secured -- in place.
The 26" will probably mount -- via a Ergotron (model 45-194-194) Wall Mount -- to a 9-ply, marine grade, 3/4" plywood "backer board", screwed to cleats inside the cabinet -- and the TV will mount IN FRONT of the existing cabinetry. The cabinet is too small to accommodate the 26" HD LCD TV inside the "box".
Everything in your motorhome becomes a missile in an accident. Very little of what is fastened down, is mounted to the handle the 8G to 40G loads common in collisions.
A lot of stuff installed at the factory, especially TVs, and often cabinets, comes loose from road vibrations. There is a significant discussion history here, in the Class A and Class C forums.
I can understand third party installers being extremely wary of installing into motorhomes. If the manufacturers can't get things solidly mounted, how is someone who lacks the construction details going to know where to fasten something with significant mass?
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