TV setups in fancy toyhaulers

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wopachop

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Been wanting a decent TV for years and finally pulled the trigger on a 65". 

Ive fallen asleep to thoughts on where i would mount it. I have the electric rear bunks and decided it would go back there. Utilize the strong metal bracing and the ability to hold the weight of a human.

For traveling i was going to build a TV mount that could swing upward so the TV would be up high and flat against the bunks. Plenty of room to roll a quad underneath. 

Just drove to Best Buy to pick up the TV. Dude tells me to tie it down vertically. I was like oh yeah.....ive been told this before!!!  

There goes my idea to mounting the TV flat during travel!! 

Looking for inspiration. Have you guys seen any TV setups with a swivel mount that caught your eye? 

At the moment im thinking i could stick with a mount that swings the TV up to the roof to load the quads. Then once loaded swing it back down so its in a vertical orientation. I do plan to build some type of shock absobtion into the mount. Either with springs or maybe rock climbing rope. 

Other option would be to swing it sideways. I picture too much leverage with that type of mount. The moment would be roughly half the width of the trailer.

Also thought about using hooks. Kind of like how a TV mount works now. First you lag bolt the mount to the wall. Then you hook the TV onto the mount and usually have a locking screw. I could probably do something like that. Hook it sideways for travel. Then hook it centered for watching. Thats not how i originally envisioned it and would be my last choice. 

 
For weight reasons, I wouldn't install a 65" TV in a toy hauler, I've seen how rough it can get back there, even on the FWY! I once hit a big dropoff from a bridge to the asphalt and I pulled over to inspect for possible damage because the very rear of the trailer dropped well over a foot and scraped the rear stabilizer jacks due to the massive overhang from the rear tires to the end of the trailer.

I installed a 102" projector screen on the bottom of the rear bunk in my 40' trailer. It's the exact dimensions of the bottom of the bunk, hinged at the rear with a piano hinge and swings forward and is fastened at the front with straps and snaps. The thin white fiber board is painted with a specific mix of paint for reflectivity and all 4 borders have 3/8" half round trim painted flat black. The image quality is spectacular, since the projector is HD, but it's not bright enough to look good in daylight, so I use 55" 4K LCD TVs for daytime and setup the projector if I really want the theater experience. I also have a 5.1 surround sound system, 10" powered sub powered by a 100w/ch HT receiver with 4 or 5 HDMI inputs.

The screen doesn't weigh much and only takes up about 3/4" under the bunk when stowed and is very close to the rear door when in use.

I honestly can't imagine a TV mount strong enough to hold a 65" TV in a toy hauler while it's in motion. I know Monoprice sells a ton of TV mounts, that might be a good place to start the search. You're going to have to REALLY going to have to spread the load on the wall, since these trailers are pretty flimsy. Good luck!

 
That's funny. Don't get a 65" TV! It's too heavy. Just get two that are 55" and also a projector and a projector screen instead. That'll be way lighter than one 65" TV!

 
Weight wont be a problem. The TV mount is straight outta crips yo. Moves up and down on an electric motor. 4 metal posts that direct the load straight downward to the frame. Its already designed to support hundreds of pounds going down the road.

For the TV i plan to give it some type of suspension. Something as easy as 2 stiff springs would work. Really stiff springs that can handle me bouncing up and down on them. The TV isnt all that heavy. I slid it out my truck and walked it 20 feet into the garage. 

 
Whoops i meant "cribs". 

I was thinking of using the bottom bunk with its metal bracing. Will drill the 4 rails and use pins to support the weight. Just like the top bunk uses. That way all the weight isnt on the motor. 

Im not seeing a weak link. But please feel free to comment. To me mounting the TV is easy. I dont want the internals of the TV being damaged. Most of my thought has been towards ways to give it shock absorption. Springs are easy but they would pivot like a swingset. I could add guides of some sort. Its all kind of been designed in my head. Figured once i had the TV in person and bought some angle iron i could see how the TV hangs. There is a chance it might balance out and hang at the right tilt. Doesnt matter as adjusting tilt will be easy. Thats down the road fine tuning details. 

 
Rorschach said:
That's funny. Don't get a 65" TV! It's too heavy. Just get two that are 55" and also a projector and a projector screen instead. That'll be way lighter than one 65" TV!
Click to expand...
I'm not talking about total weight. I'm talking about the weight of one TV hanging from a mount. None of my TVs are mounted when the trailer is in motion.

Thanks for your input.

 
wopachop said:
Whoops i meant "cribs". 

I was thinking of using the bottom bunk with its metal bracing. Will drill the 4 rails and use pins to support the weight. Just like the top bunk uses. That way all the weight isnt on the motor. 

Im not seeing a weak link. But please feel free to comment. To me mounting the TV is easy. I dont want the internals of the TV being damaged. Most of my thought has been towards ways to give it shock absorption. Springs are easy but they would pivot like a swingset. I could add guides of some sort. Its all kind of been designed in my head. Figured once i had the TV in person and bought some angle iron i could see how the TV hangs. There is a chance it might balance out and hang at the right tilt. Doesnt matter as adjusting tilt will be easy. Thats down the road fine tuning details. 
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Sounds like you have it all figured out. Post up some pics when you finish it up!

 
Workin on it. First hurdle was heat and dust. I built a filtered and cooled audio video cabinet. Which is just a plastic container with 5v exhaust fans and a foam filter designed for mini air conditioners. I might soon switch to a washable mesh filter that i have here and been testing on regular computer fans. 

Found these springs that have a ton of potential. I might try putting the entire bunk on springs. Using the existing floating pin locations. Almost like doing a body lift on a truck. Im hoping to get lucky and the 110lb rating will be in the correct zone for this application. This is perfect because the AV receiver and subwoofer are both on the bunk. I thought about setting them on foam or rubber. Something to absorb hits down the road.

Only worry is there is no dampening. These things need some clickers!! There is a chance it might go boing boing boing and cause more damage than good. Im going to try it and then test it down the road.

https://www.amazon.com/LukLoy-Vibration-Isolator-Soundproof-Shockproof/dp/B08MTSTXRV/ref=pd_bxgy_img_sccl_1/130-4467247-7352729?pd_rd_w=FNyG3&content-id=amzn1.sym.7757a8b5-874e-4a67-9d85-54ed32f01737&pf_rd_p=7757a8b5-874e-4a67-9d85-54ed32f01737&pf_rd_r=6D50C4H9SH8DT10XTVSA&pd_rd_wg=0dv3w&pd_rd_r=b3ae40ce-1e65-404d-96a4-1b8b17c7cbfc&pd_rd_i=B08MTSTXRV&psc=1

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Interesting project, subscribed.

What TH Model do you have? Are you dead set on the location in the top bunk?

 
Its a front bedroom bumper pull. No slides on this model and the fridge is located centered in the trailer which i found to be not very common. I think some toyhaulers mount the TV right where my fridge is. 

 
Not the correct year but this looks to be the floorplan. 

2011_ForestRiver_StealthWide_FSC2812.jpg

 
I have seen it mounted above the fridge. Not sure if you can put a big one up there like you bought

Keep the pics flowing!!!!!

:poule:

 
Last night it hit me that my drones have a built in accelerometer. Havnt flown in years would take a bit to remember how to run the programs. I should be able to strap the drone onto the bunk and measure g forces going down the road. Ive heard its earthquake status. I would suspect you would see the spikes and frequency caused by the springs doing their thing. Should be a big hit following by a wave of bounce. Like posted earlier i hope that aftershock bounce isnt more damaging than the initial hit. A lot of times the damage comes from when the shake starts to match the natural resonance of the product itself. Things like a TV are made from a bunch of tiny items. I would think the vibration going down the road is going to match some of those parts. Hope it aint the important stuff!! 

Since the springs i bought are designed to hang i think for the TV i will use rope to hang the spring. That way you get almost a double spring. Just need to look up stretchy rope, while wearing my stretchy pants. 

 
@dunefreak did this, its a 42" and is huge...I almost cant picture a 65" in a TH.

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If you're serious about a 65" in your motorhome, do two things:

1. Figure out how close to the TV you'll be sitting. Then go to a TV store and stand that same distance from a 65" TV. Ask the salesperson if you can view a regular OTA channel (it should be presented on the TV as HD, probably 1080p, maybe 720 something or 1080i ... but NOT 4K). I think you're years away from getting 4K in a campground or OTA or regularly over the satellite. I question whether many TV programs/movies are being shot in 4K yet. In most cases at the TV store you're watching a 4K/Ultra High Definition feed which is NOT what you'll get at home. Make sure you're watching in the store what you'll be watching in your motorhome.

2. Then measure a 65" TV. Making a cardboard template of the TV. Use the template to find a place in your motorhome where a 65" would fit. I think you'll find out that only a motorhome with a really, really ceiling will work with a 65" ... or to use some kind of motorized drop down device in the front of the motorhome from the ceiling.
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Something to consider..

:watchporn:

https://www.irv2.com/forums/f53/largest-flat-screen-in-rv-339815.html

 
As usual yore overthinking this on a scale from 1-10 at around a 12.5.

Your listening to the kid at Best Buy who sat thru some training video on why they store the TV's vertical instead of horizontal as gospel. Instead of using your brain for something other than frying a egg on.. Seems to me there are a few Toy Hauler manufacturers  who for the last few years have been ceiling mounting TV's  in new units where they ride down the road in the horizontal.

Or maybe somebody needs to call that Toy Hauler builder and tell them the kid at Best Buy has a training video they can watch.

Just hang the TV the way you were going to do it and if there is a problem and it stops working just take it back because we all know that the kid at Best Buy talked you into buying the extended warranty, right. 

 
Good info thanks. I went with 65" because i pictured the TV way back near the rear ramp. I gave it a lot of thought. Reflections from windows. How the surround would work. Once i decided to treat the room like a long narrow rectangle that meant the seating distance would be further away.

Original plan was to hang it from the bottom bunk. With the ability to pivot flat up against the bottom and held with straps or something. Cover with a sheet for dust. That was a mistake since i forgot you dont want to travel with the TV flat. 

MWB just posted. I see the part about "new manufactures are mounting TVs flat against the ceiling"

Thats perfect man!! Exactly the info im wondering. How are the fancy trailers doing it these days? I will have to start googling images. For the next couple months i just planned to use the regular TV stand and set it on the bunk. Plug everything in before the return time expires. 

Wonder if the TVs mounted horizontal are 12v TVs made to shake in trailers. The TV that came with my trailer was 12v. That worked by running the genny and the included converter. So silly. 

 
You have an FSC2812 right?

I really don't see any options other then at the back / ramp door for good viewing or space, etc like you stated.



 
This could be the solution. Top view looking down. Blue color is the existing metal bunk frame. 

Imagine the TV being on a gate. Swing it closed when time to drive. Dirt bike tires will fit under the TV so no change how i tie things down. 

Will put the pivot and lock on the damper springs. 

I might ditch the springs and use shock cord. Anyone use that stuff to make their own bungees? I did a brief search and they say the cord will stretch 100%. But they dont list the weight it takes for the different thicknesses.

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