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Topic: Flip down tv (Read 1083 times) previous topic - next topic

Flip down tv

I'm curious why nobody has done anything like this in their renovations (that I've seen)?  Many of the newer luxury coaches have large tv's that fold down from the ceiling.  I have a lot of experience wtih 12v actuators and something like that wouldn't be very far out for me to do.  What I couldn't do is fix the cabinetry that would now be empty behind it.  With how flat today's tv's are you could put a 55" or 60" tv in and when folded up it would barely be a bump in the ceiling.  The only thing you'd have to ensure is that you have a good safety locking system in place.

Re: Flip down tv

Reply #1 –
When we installed our 42" TV up front I would have liked to put it in a flip down manner.  I would guess FOT would have accomplished it, and very well, but I do not have the skills or the $$$$ to get it done my self.  We would have to have the entire ceiling in the salon redesigned and rebuilt.  Sooooo..... I cut back the TV cabinet and attached a hanging bracket to a piece of 1/2" plywood and hinged it.  I looks pretty good and works.  My cuts are not perfect, as Larry would have done but I also used a Delta 10" contractor's table saw and not a nice stable cabinet saw.  ;D
Scott & Carol Seibert
2001 42' double slide U320 - Sold
Previous - 2002 36' U320

Re: Flip down tv

Reply #2 –
A big TV in the front folded up against the ceiling would take up valuable headroom in the entry area that at 6'-2" I need.  Newer coaches (post 2005) have more headroom. My 39" TV fits just fine.  Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Flip down tv

Reply #3 –
Quote from: piku –
I'm curious why nobody has done anything like this in their renovations (that I've seen)?
It's been done - Brett Wolfe did it to his U240.  There've been others, but I can't locate the threads...  Use "SEARCH" to find other examples.

U225 overhead TV replacement - Help!!!
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: Flip down tv

Reply #4 –
Here's another one:  1990 U280 36' Grand Villa remodel
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: Flip down tv

Reply #5 –
That is right, there has been some well done that way.  With a mid entry, head room needs change up front.  I thought my 39" would hang down too far but it comes down about 3/4" below the valence. Less than the front shade.  No driving impact at all. 

Some of the newest TVs are less than an inch thick.  It would be an interesting challenge.  There are flexible displays too.  Maybe it could just roll up, 48"x 96" Wow!  Can you imagine what will be available in 10 years?  In 5?  Probably just be some sort of glasses we will wear?

There was a new semi trailer on the news the other day where the rear doors were a TV display showing what cameras on the front of the truck saw.  And the heads up display on the new BMWs.  That is what I want.  One that shows alignment in the lane that bends as you turn the steering wheel. And 360° radar.  Isn't imagination wonderful?

In the mean time... It is what it is.  Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Flip down tv

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Roger and Susan (aka Home2) –
Some of the newest TVs are less than an inch thick.

Roger,

An obvious enhancement for those of us with ducted A/C (starting in 1997), that only go up past the kitchen a little bit. A couple of people have extended that ducting all the way to the front. The two that I saw only went up a foot or so wide, not across the center.

You could do the duct extension, leaving room in the middle to install a drop down TV. Done right, it would be virtually invisible with the new ceiling material covering the extended ducting (and the new TV)

Just a combination of enhancements!

Trent

Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: Flip down tv

Reply #7 –
The 2001 U320 has a flat ceiling all the way across all the way to the front. Ahead of the front AC there may be some internal space in the plenum. 

Mine extends towards the back, pivots to the left and right and moves sideways left and right.  I would rather be able to adjust viewing angles and position than having a fixed position TV.

If you do yours let us know how it works.

Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Flip down tv

Reply #9 –
Speaking of, in our 42' I feel the front a/c is too far back.  On the roof I could see the outline of what looks to be supports for another A/C close to the front.  It's definitely framing for the right square size. But yeah part of the idea of the fold down tv is that we really do have a lot of clearance up front.  For those whose ducting extends all the way forward, you probably cut into it to make the fold down tv flush.  Now that would be sweet.

Also ours is a 42" that is very much like Roger's.  It's a FOT renovation and the tv is centered in the cabinetry.  Sticks down about the same amount.  It doesn't get in the way but one time coming up the steps I ran into the very sharp corner of the tv (it's one of those ultra flat samsung 1/4" wide ones) and it put a very deep hole in my head that took quite a while to heal up.

Re: Flip down tv

Reply #10 –
I understand that when James of Xtreme Graphics owned my coach he had a large TV that flipped down.  It was taken out as not practical.  You could give him a call and get the details.

Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: Flip down tv

Reply #11 –
It was in there at one time
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Flip down tv

Reply #12 –
Yes, James had one for a while. I have three AC units and full ducting so putting one in that big will not work. If you have 2000 or older you stop in the living room so that might be a better year. 
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Flip down tv

Reply #13 –
Quote from: John S –
Yes, James had one for a while. I have three AC units and full ducting so putting one in that big will not work. If you have 2000 or older you stop in the living room so that might be a better year. 

There is indeed plenty of ceiling height.  but I do wonder what would be impractical about it.