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Tv placement

Hey guys, in summary of  my wife and I's  recent pursuit for our very first and hopefully last diesel pusher we have narrowed our search down to either a Foretravel or one of the Newmar  Aire's. . Although we haven't looked at that many foretravels I was wondering about the TV placement. It seems like all of the Foretravels  that we have looked at so far have the TV way off to the side where it's awkward to sit on the couch and watch TV be without turning your head 90 degrees. Are there any floorplans that have the TV located behind or above the couch? I realize a lot of these were made to order but we just haven't found the floor plan that we like yet.

Re: Tv placement

Reply #1 –
People have put TVs all over these coaches. The search function will pull up numerous and fantastic TV installations including hidden installations.

I kept it simple for my coach for the kids. A little trim work left to do and it will look factory. All in around $200 including the TV.

Everyone has an opinion. I personally would not purchase a coach because of a TV or lack of TV. It is something that is very easy to change.
2002 U270 34' Build 5953
Cummings ISL400HP
3410 Floor Plan
Longview, TX

Re: Tv placement

Reply #2 –
Quote from: BE –
Are there any floor plans that have the TV located behind or above the couch?
I don't think you will find that feature in any stock original Foretravel floor plan, at least not before the 2000 or later model years.

I also have never understood mounting the TV so that when you sit on the couch you have to turn your head 90 degrees to see the screen.  It just seems like such an uncomfortable way to sit, and yet like you say it is very common, especially in the older Foretravel models.  Moving the TV was one of the first mods we made to our coach.

Our TV is directly across from the jackknife sofa at eye level.  My solution is not for everyone, but we like it.




1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Tv placement

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –

Our TV is directly across from the jackknife sofa at eye level.  My solution is not for everyone, but we like it.

We are not big TV watchers when we travel, but that is a great installation!
Matt B
1998 u-320

Re: Tv placement

Reply #4 –
There are several write ups on installing TV's where you can sit across from them for easier viewing!  We did one!
55 inch and installed two RecPro electric recliners across from the TV!

Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: Tv placement

Reply #5 –
Quote from: oldmattb –
We are not big TV watchers when we travel, but that is a great installation!
Thanks.  Joe & Dottie's solution (above) is much more elegant!  Our relatively crude setup evolved as we used our coach.  When we purchased our coach, the original B&W tube TV was still in place.  We are the 5th owners - apparently the ones who came before us were, like you, not big TV watchers.  We, however, are.

Our first step was to remove the old TV.  Replaced it with a 39" LED flat screen.  I installed a shelf in the empty TV cabinet to hold a combo DVD recorder/DVR machine.  Initially, we carried the new TV laying flat on the bed when moving.  After we stopped, I lugged it from the bedroom up to the front, and set it on the pull-out table between the pilot and copilot seats.  That worked OK, but still a poor position for watching from the sofa.

Next, I ran a USB cable from the DVD/DVR machine around the wall to the table between the two barrel chairs.  This allowed us to set the TV on the table across from the sofa.  MUCH BETTER!  However, still required moving the ungainly device back and forth from bedroom to living area.  Too much work...

So, I cobbled up a simple frame to mount it permanently in front of the side window.  Works great!  We can still easily open and close the window.  I can see around the TV when driving to clear for oncoming traffic.  And much easier on my back.  Like I said, it works for us.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Tv placement

Reply #6 –
On some models like our 36 foot U300, the back wall in the main salon is open so we put a 50 inch 4K TV on it. After getting rid of the table/chairs in the back, there is a great view from the recliner and the new short sofa location. We are quite a ways from Sacramento and have a big hill in the way of reception but the new hybrid roof antenna gets lots of channels.

50" fits but 55" won't.

I really like the hidden TV across from the sofa some members have installed. That is the only table we have now so have left the pull up table in place.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Tv placement

Reply #7 –
I don't have pix readily available, but we removed the recliner behind the copilot seat, and put in a cabinet directly across from the couch. We have a 32" flat screen that sits inside the cabinet while traveling and put it on top of the cabinet when parked. I had considered putting in a tv lift to make it really fancy, but the cost was more than what the convenience would have dictated (at least for us).

We let the tv on the bulkhead over the drivers seat so if you are cooking, it is easy to look at.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Len & Deb
Len and Deb Speiser
1999 U270 36'
2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
You're either on the bus, or you're off the bus!--Ken Kesey
If you're lucky enough to live in a bus, you're lucky enough!

Re: Tv placement

Reply #8 –
Len, I put ours in a cabinet with TV lift I think I paid 120 for lift. the Key is look for a linear slide in 12v if you call it a TV lift they want lots of bucks but a 12v linear slide that will lift 40lbs and raise  32 inches can be bought rather inexpensively.  The unit actually plugs into 120v but has the transformer in a box on the electrical cord that changes it to 12v
Chris
1999 U 320 DGFE
Build Number 5523
Chris & Elka Lang
In the field, Lonoke AR

Re: Tv placement

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
I don't think you will find that feature in any stock original Foretravel floor plan, at least not before the 2000 or later model years.

I also have never understood mounting the TV so that when you sit on the couch you have to turn your head 90 degrees to see the screen.  It just seems like such an uncomfortable way to sit, and yet like you say it is very common, especially in the older Foretravel models.  Moving the TV was one of the first mods we made to our coach.

Our TV is directly across from the jackknife sofa at eye level.  My solution is not for everyone, but we like it.





@Chuck & Jeannie
That is exactly what I want to do. How do you secure the TV? do you have a write up about the installation?
1991 Grand Villa U300

Re: Tv placement

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Running Odometer –
That is exactly what I want to do. How do you secure the TV? do you have a write up about the installation?
No, I never did a writeup for that project.  I guess I didn't think it would be of much interest to other members.

The mounts are really pretty simple.  All the flat screen TVs have threaded holes in the back designed to support the TV.  I simply made two long straight vertical brackets that bolt to the mounting holes.  I added a couple horizontal bars between the vertical members for increased stability.  The vertical brackets go straight up to the bottom of the overhead cabinets where they are secured with sturdy bolts.  In essence, the TV "hangs" below the overhead cabinet on the vertical brackets.

At the bottom end of the vertical brackets I added separate "L" shaped pieces that are attached to the wall below the window frame.  You can see these brackets in the photos I posted earlier.  I sized these to provide the required distance from the wall so the TV is held perfectly vertical.

Our coach has the wide valance around the window.  I was able to hide most of the support brackets behind the valance. 

I made my vertical mounting brackets out of flat aluminum stock that I had on hand.  They work fine, but when driving on some very rough roads the TV tends to "wiggle" around more than I like.  If I was doing it again I would use square aluminum tubing instead.  I think this would add more rigidity to the mounts, and hold the TV in place more securely.

Photo below shows current version of my TV installation.  I added a Kanto SYD powered stereo speaker to improve the audio.  Sounds great!

Kanto SYD (Matte Black) Powered bookshelf speaker with Bluetooth® and...

1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Tv placement

Reply #11 –
I removed the old 20" tv and now use the cabinet for storage.  Replaced it with a 36"( could go bigger if I wanted) that sits on the slide out tray from the dash. No extra wires or cables to fiddle with. 

I also added a small electric fireplace.  Both move easily behind the passenger seat where the old barrel chair was when we're traveling.  The old recliner is gone replaced with a smaller rocker/recliner. Nice and cozy and no strained necks!

Jerry
The selected media item is not currently available.
Jerry and Cindy Maddux
1993 U300/36WTBI DD6v92TA
build 4271  "Miss Lou"
1995 suzuki sidekick 4x4 toad
Gulfport, Ms

"Pride of Ownership"

Re: Tv placement

Reply #12 –
Look good.

How do you secure the tv? That is my biggest concern.

Just use regular wood screws?
Do you have to find stud?
1991 Grand Villa U300

Re: Tv placement

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Running Odometer –
Look good.

How do you secure the tv? That is my biggest concern.

Just use regular wood screws?
Do you have to find stud?

It's free standing on it's own pedestal.  When traveling I move the fireplace and the tv behind the passenger seat where there's plenty of room and not in the way.

Jerry
The selected media item is not currently available.
Jerry and Cindy Maddux
1993 U300/36WTBI DD6v92TA
build 4271  "Miss Lou"
1995 suzuki sidekick 4x4 toad
Gulfport, Ms

"Pride of Ownership"

Re: Tv placement

Reply #14 –
Coastprt we have the same set up when we park.
Captains chairs turned, tv out sometimes, others it's not, it travels in the bedroom closet.
Space behind the passenger seat is reserved for the dog bed.

Every trip involves some adjustment.

Our next trip will be to Texas for the New Years celebration.
Full load down and back, solitude for us while we're there.
Priceless!

Frank & Connie Williams
1999 U320 '36
Build: 5466
MC: 18335

Re: Tv placement

Reply #15 –

Has any one tried those foldable ceiling mount?


Amazon.com: VIVO Manual Flip Down Ceiling Mount for 13 to 27 inch Flat...
Or


Amazon.com: Mount-It Motorized Ceiling TV Mount With Remote, Electric Flip...

The TV can be fold up to the ceiling so it will not be in the way.

Now days, the TV seems to be a lot lighter than few years ago. If it is properly secured to the stud, it should survive the road.

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
1991 Grand Villa U300

Re: Tv placement

Reply #16 –
There have been a few "homemade" ceiling mounted TV installations.  Brett Wolfe did one in a (IIRC) U240?

Do a search on the Forum for old pertinent threads.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Tv placement

Reply #17 –
PO removed OEM TV and box and had a 32" LCD TV in the front. That is gone now and a 40" 4K Samsung is in the same space, about the same size.

It is mounted to a TV mount that weighs 3 or 4 times what the TV weighs.  The mount is attached to 1" baltic birch plywood base mounted to the aluminum front structure.  The mount extends outward, moves left and right (mostly right in us), swivels left and right and tilts up or down.  In its travel position the stiffness in the articulating joints keeps it from moving at all.

All of the electronics are in the cabinet to the right of the TV.

Works for us.  Endless ways to do this. 

If you have a TV that covers a window get a camera to mount on the back of the TV and show the live outside view on your TV. 
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN
 

Re: Tv placement

Reply #18 –
WOW!

"If you have a TV that covers a window get a camera to mount on the back of the TV and show the live outside view on your TV"

Roger that's just so simple it's ingenuous!
Frank & Connie Williams
1999 U320 '36
Build: 5466
MC: 18335