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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: nitehawk on May 28, 2011, 09:10:39 am

Title: Steel or Aluminum overhead?
Post by: nitehawk on May 28, 2011, 09:10:39 am
On my '89 GV-- from the front overhead cabinets above the visors there is a center vinyl strip with snap buttons running front to back. This strip is sloping up to the main roof. What is this strip fastened to? Aluminum or steel rectangular tubing? Would the tubing support a swing down 23" LCD Digital TV if I use a long piece to distribute the load and fasteners??
Title: Re: Steel or Aluminum overhead?
Post by: Dwayne on May 28, 2011, 11:41:01 am
Look for Brett Wolfe's outstanding write-up in the renovations section.  He did what you are planning.  On my rig, the cab overhead does not have the center strip.  It stops at trim going side to side just prior to the slope.  I did the TV thing too but didn't want to tackle the support issues so I removed the TV box, removed the vinyl, trimmed it all around so that it didn't stick out or down as far, stained and reinstalled it and mounted a 26" LCD TV on a board with hinges on the front edge so that the TV when stowed is up under the cabinet facing down so that all you see is the top edge.  I've put up some pictures if you search the archive.  Brett did the Cadillac TV install while mine is the Kia version.  Have fun.
Title: Re: Steel or Aluminum overhead?
Post by: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart on May 28, 2011, 01:42:18 pm
On my '89 GV-- from the front overhead cabinets above the visors there is a center vinyl strip with snap buttons running front to back. This strip is sloping up to the main roof. What is this strip fastened to? Aluminum or steel rectangular tubing? Would the tubing support a swing down 23" LCD Digital TV if I use a long piece to distribute the load and fasteners??

We had the same question, where to mount LCD TVs? We took the old tv out of the center and made it into an entertainment center with satellite receiver, dvd player, Mac Mini with an extra hard drive and a big amp for woofers. We mounted a 40" TV on the wall that backs up to the bathroom sink/mirror and slide the house TV on the mount when we go on trips. This wall is only available on one GV model. I ran both HDMI and VGA cables in the belly and up through the wall. This wall area will take up to a 46 incher on our 102" U300. Probably a little less on earlier models. A 22" HD display was mounted on a Kensington arm next to the pull up and out table. A laptop can be be used on the table and plugged into it. Bluetooth keyboard pictured goes to Mini but will work on most laptops also. Monitor/TV can extend and point any direction. Brought a DVI cable back to it from the Mini.  Bought a piece of walnut, stained and screwed it to the wall to secure the mount. Just installed it and thinking of routing out the back so cables are hidden. Kensington arm mount is the one many accountants use in their offices. Available on sale for as low as $39. Very well built and adjustable so TV/display is weightless. Finished work will be neater than photos show.

If you have not yet purchased a TV/display a LCD or LED is preferred in an RV over a plasma display. Plasmas are much more sensitive to vibration, altitude and use more juice.

Pierce & Gaylie
'93 U300/36
Title: Re: Steel or Aluminum overhead?
Post by: wolfe10 on May 28, 2011, 01:58:57 pm
Look for Brett Wolfe's outstanding write-up in the renovations section.  He did what you are planning.  On my rig, the cab overhead does not have the center strip.  It stops at trim going side to side just prior to the slope.  I did the TV thing too but didn't want to tackle the support issues so I removed the TV box, removed the vinyl, trimmed it all around so that it didn't stick out or down as far, stained and reinstalled it and mounted a 26" LCD TV on a board with hinges on the front edge so that the TV when stowed is up under the cabinet facing down so that all you see is the top edge.  I've put up some pictures if you search the archive.  Brett did the Cadillac TV install while mine is the Kia version.  Have fun.

Here is the thread Dwayne is referring to:  U225 overhead TV replacement - Help!!! (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=9618.0)