There’s nothing quite like sitting in the great outdoors with your friends and watching a movie together under the stars.
Luckily, that dream is quite achievable if you have an RV since you can easily mount a TV to its outside wall.
Quick summary
In this post, we will discuss how you can easily and quickly mount a TV to the outside of your RV.
We will discuss the pitfalls you must watch out for and we will also list the tools needed to get the job done.
So without further ado, let’s get started.
Tools and Supplies Needed
We’ve listed all of the tools and supplies needed for the job first because we feel that you should gather all of them first as well before you start the job.
It’s a good idea to first buy and gather all of the tools needed before you start any DIY job because it makes the process much easier and more efficient.
Just imagine if you didn’t have everything gathered and started the installation process. Every time you would need a new tool, you’d have to halt the process to go look for it or in some cases, even buy it.
That’s why you should always gather everything first and then start the job.
The tools and supplies you will need to mount a TV to the outside of your RV are:
- A level
- A stud finder
- Assorted screws and bolts (that you received from the wall mount)
- A screwdriver or a socket wrench
- Lag bolts
- A drill
- A marker
- A helper
- A wall mount
- Drill bits
Take your time and gather all the necessary tools. Once that’s done, you can begin the mounting process.
Important note: We highly recommend that you opt for a wall mount that has two components: The mounting bracket and the wall bracket.
With such a wall mount, you can easily disconnect the TV and store it in a cabinet in your RV when it’s not in use
How to Mount a TV on the Outside of Your RV? (Step-by-Step Guide)
The process for mounting a TV on the outside of your RV is fairly the same as any regular wall mounting process.
There are just certain challenges that you need to be aware of at the time of installation.
To mount a TV on the outside of your RV, follow these steps:
Step 1: To start off, you must go to the outside of your RV and decide on the spot where you want the TV to be mounted.
Make sure that the spot you choose is close to a power outlet on the outside of your RV.
Most RVs have power outlets on the outside but if you don’t, you may have to install one on the outside or use an extension cord.
Another important thing is to have a cabinet where you can store the TV when it’s not in use.
You can use any compartment that’s big enough for your TV on the outside of your RV to store it when it’s not being used. You don’t want the TV hanging outside at night since it could easily be stolen.
Once you’ve chosen a spot, you can begin work on it.
Step 2: Utilize your stud finder to find a vertical stud in the wall of your RV.
Studs in RVs are highly sturdy and they can easily bear the weight of both your TV mount as well as the TV itself.
Once you find the stud, mark its location with a marker.
Step 3: Once the location(s) for the stud(s) have been marked, the next step is to identify the screw holes for the mount.
For this, ask your helper to hold up the TV mount against the outside wall of the RV so that its screw holes align perfectly with the stud(s) you marked in the last step.
Once the mount is aligned, mark the locations for its screw holes with a marker.
Step 4: Use your drill to pre-drill holes into the outside wall of your RV.
Note that these holes will be at the locations that you marked in the last step. You will be drilling straight into the stud(s).
The depth of the holes will depend on the length of the lag bolts you will use. The holes should be slightly smaller than the lag bolts for them to fit perfectly.
Step 5: Now that the appropriate holes have been drilled, ask your helper to hold up the mount at the same location once again.
As they are holding the mount, insert the lag bolts into the screw holes and tighten them until the mount is secured to the outside wall of your RV.
Step 6: Lay your TV face down on any soft, flat surface. We recommend that you use a thick, soft towel or blanket so that the screen does not get damaged.
Place the mounting bracket at the back of your TV, insert the screws into the appropriate holes and tighten them as much as you can by hand. Finish the job with a screwdriver.
Please note that these screws will be the ones that you received with the wall mount.
Step 7: The wall bracket is attached to the wall and the mounting bracket is attached to the back of your TV.
The final step is to attach the two brackets. To do that, all you have to do is lift up your TV and lower it gently into the wall bracket.
The mounting bracket should clasp the wall bracket until your TV becomes firmly attached to it.
Depending on the model and manufacturer of the mount, you may hear a loud click or some similar sound to indicate that they have indeed properly attached.
Check the TV for stability by shaking it slightly and you’re pretty much good to go.
We recommend that when the TV is not in use, you should detach the wall bracket from the mounting bracket by lifting it and storing your TV in a nearby cabinet.
This process is simple since it does not require any tools.
Wrapping Things Up…
As you can see, it’s fairly simple to mount a TV on the outside of your RV.
Just take your time with installation and you’ll be watching TV in the great outdoors in no time.
If you have any further questions, please reach out to us in the comments below.
Adam F.
A/V and Home Theater Expert that focuses on providing clear as well as concise reviews for anything and everything Audio Visual. From TV's, TV Mounts, Soundbars, and Wiring, my focus is to provide expertise in everything Audio Visual focused.
