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Topic: Outdoor TV Mod? (Read 1236 times) previous topic - next topic

Outdoor TV Mod?

So while camping this weekend, one of the 5th wheels next to us had college football playing with a small bar and a group of people gathered around.  What could be better than watching a game on a nice cool night with a beverage in hand!  I'm afraid I won't be able to afford an RV with one of those fancy outdoor kitchen/entertainment centers for some time, but it got me thinking on what I might be able to do.  I've been thinking about replacing the old TVs in our GV at some point and I thought it might not be too hard to modify the front one to drop down (ala Brett Wolfe's mod) but then make it detachable and put a subtle bracket somewhere on the coach to hang it outside!  Anyone tried it?  The new LED TVs are reasonably light so wouldn't take much effort to move it in and out.

Re: Outdoor TV Mod?

Reply #1 –
Steve added a swing-arm flat panel mount to one of our storage bays.  We already had the cable hookup and power outlet there.  When not at a campground, we detach the TV from the mount and store it in the box it came in.  I don't know if we'd install a mount on the exterior of the coach, but the bay mount works well in our coach.

Michelle

Re: Outdoor TV Mod?

Reply #2 –
I would consider building a mount on a tripod. The issue with the LCD or LED panels is light washout. With a tripod it's easy to move around. A 23 or 26" is still very light and easy to store. A good VCR type tripod is rugged and collapses in seconds (on purpose if it's a good one).

Re: Outdoor TV Mod?

Reply #3 –
I went way low tech. When you replace your TV's with flat screen, throw one in the storage. Like Michelle, my coach had power to the bay. I keep it hooked up and plugged in on 50' cords. Usually stays in bay on joey bed and is viewed there in shade. Has been known to go to roof of coach for race watching at NASCAR events. Three years of riding around down there and still going strong.

If it stops working, who cares, then maybe I will get a flat screen......

Re: Outdoor TV Mod?

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Steve & Michelle –
Steve added a swing-arm flat panel mount to one of our storage bays.  We already had the cable hookup and power outlet there.  When not at a campground, we detach the TV from the mount and store it in the box it came in.  I don't know if we'd install a mount on the exterior of the coach, but the bay mount works well in our coach.

Michelle

What?!!!  No photos.  Note:  to add photos.......

Re: Outdoor TV Mod?

Reply #5 –
I am for the lo Tech stuff, but have you noticed the newer FT, how they handle the outside TV, when the front right slide is out, there is a narrow tall door that opens on the end of the slide, out comes a nice big LCD TV, and can angle it for the light conditions. Way above my pay grade, but neat.  Have not seen the bar, not sure it has one.

Re: Outdoor TV Mod?

Reply #6 –
Would like to say the tripod but with kids, dogs and/or booze around (as in football), an errant foot around a cable might bring everything down. I use a tripod with a camcorder a lot but always worried around kids (of all ages).  Have heard "I'm sorry" too many times. Otherwise an excellent solution with great viewing angles and options.

Hard to beat a swing out mount with nothing on the ground for stress free TV watching and fast connections to juice, cable.

Re: Outdoor TV Mod?

Reply #8 –
I like the option of an arm but with my coach I might have to get creative as my storage bays aren't nearly as high as the newer models and the opening is much smaller than the bay interior. I might have to find something that can angle down then up at some crazy angles! Will do some research.

Best Regards,
Benjie
Benjie Zeller
(512) 587-4628
 

Re: Outdoor TV Mod?

Reply #9 –
There are 'flip down' and 'pull out/flip down' mounts that would likely work. Plus you can look at the cabinet maker catalogs for like entertainment center 'wing-pocket door' hardware to design something. As long as you don't need to 'go big' the weight and loading should be fine.