RV TV Mounting Made Easy: Tools, Tips, and Wall Tricks
8/29/2025
RV TV mounting is a process, but not unlike mounting a TV in a residential living room. A prevailing myth among RV enthusiasts is that you can’t mount a TV in an RV like you can in a house. You can, just with a few RV-specific considerations in mind.
Sounds reasonable enough, right? Sort of. There are several mounting types to consider, along with RV wall structures, hidden wiring, aluminum framing (if applicable), thin panels, tools, location, and size. Fortunately, it sounds more difficult than it really is.
What we want to avoid is that snazzy new, 100″ OLED (diagonal, corner to corner) hitting the ground the first time your RV encounters a pothole. So, whether you’re a full-time RVer or a weekend warrior, mastering RV TV mounting will transform your on-the-go entertainment setup for the better.
Can You Mount a TV in an RV?
You absolutely can, but it’s important to get it right the first time, or that aforementioned pothole will have a thing or two to say on the matter. Generally speaking, most RVs have fairly thin paneling sitting on top of foam insulation. Aluminum or wood studs are spaced irregularly at best, not the 16″ separation we’re used to in residential homes.
Of course, I use the term “generally speaking” for a reason, which means you need to consult your handy RV owner’s manual or reference online forums if you have any questions specific to your model. You don’t want to drill blindly, unless you want to try your luck with hidden wiring, plumbing, or important structural elements.
Focus on finding potential anchor plates or backer boards pre-installed by the manufacturers, specifically for mounting stuff. A good once-over, pre-inspection-type look around will save you some time and, potentially, a lot of money in repair services.
Types of RV TV Mounts
RV TV mounting doesn’t revolve around any one specific type of mount. There are several on the market, and all of them have potential in finding a place on your wall. What you ultimately settle on should be the best for that particular space. For instance, you probably don’t need a tilting mount with a massive, central TV in the living area.
Fixed Mount: This is your basic, low-profile option for stationary viewing. It’s perfect for a small space, but it lacks adjustability. On the bright side, it’s affordable and stable.
Tilting Mount: This one is not as flexible as it sounds. Vertical tilting only, and some are very limited in the degree of tilt. In general, these are perfect for the bedroom, tilted down for lying-in-bed viewing.
Articulating Mount: Full motion vertical and horizontal tilting. Multiple-angle viewing is best for kitchens or dinettes. These usually have extension arms as well, but they require extra security for rough traveling.
Locking RV-Specific Mount: These are designed for RVs, with features like anti-rattle or locks to prevent swinging while towing.
Quick-Release Bracket Mounts: As the name implies, it’s for quick assembly and removal, indoors and outdoors. Excellent as a tight storage solution or as an anti-theft method.
Finding the Right Mounting Location
Unless you really want to get creative with your RV TV mounting mastery, look for manufacturer stickers, labels, or diagrams in the owner’s manual indicating areas throughout the RV that are pre-reinforced specifically for TVs. Otherwise, there are a few workable methods for finding the perfect spot.
Keep in mind, even if there is a sticker that indicates a mounting spot, everything else is usually pretty vague, such as how large the backing is or what size screws to go with. There’s a little bit of trial and error here. It can be frustrating, but one step at a time.
Yes, for sure there is a Sticker that informs you where to mount the TV, however it does not indicate how large it is, what the material behind is made of. Is it metal? a Magnet did not indicate metal. Is it Wood? How thick is it? How long of Screws to use???”
–Lako | Forest River Forums
Without a sticker, you can usually tell the general area to mount a TV based on the outlets for satellite, power, coax, etc.
Detection Methods
For stud-finding, traditional, tried-and-true methods are best. In other words, walk around the RV, tapping on the walls, listening for hollow versus solid sounds. However, this method isn’t perfect, because you may confuse an area with backing for a stud or vice versa. It’s best to combine this method with a stud finder for confirmation.
Once you know where your studs are, visually assess the room to determine how your TV will look in specific areas. If you’re really getting into it, download an Augmented Reality (AR) app on your iOS or Android, learn how to use it, and leverage it to visualize how a TV will fit and look.
Telly Big, CoolBlue, LiveHome 3D, and AR TV Store are some decent ones. Just make sure you have plenty of light and your device features LIDAR for the best results. The pin test is also effective and far less tech-savvy than the AR method. Find yourself a very thin pin and use it to poke your walls. You’ll know you hit a stud when you encounter resistance.
Go through your RV’s floorplan/layout/blueprint to locate anything hidden behind the interior walls—plumbing, gas line, electrical, etc.
Popular Mounting Zones
RV TV mounting can be as complicated or simplistic as you want it to be. Most, however, are going to stick with what works. Popular mounting zones include the most obvious entertainment center wall in the living area, exterior compartments for outdoor viewing, and bedroom partitions for secondary screens.
No, an articulating mount in your 4’x4′ bathroom so you can continue watching the sports game on the porcelain throne is not going to work. Regardless of popular mounting zones, make sure your chosen location allows for optimal viewing distance, ventilation to prevent overheating, and accessibility for plugging it in.
How to Mount a TV on an RV Wall
Now we’ve arrived at the meat and potatoes of RV TV mounting, and the tools you may need are as follows: Drill with bits, screws/bolts (lag for studs, toggles for hollow), anchors (Molly bolts or snap toggles), stud finder, level, wrench/socket set, tape measure, and optionally a fish tape for wiring.
Obviously, some tools will not apply, depending on what you’re dealing with. Make sure you’re organized, have plenty of room to work, and tell the kids to go play in the street until you’re done.
Locate your backing material or studs using the methods outlined above, and be sure to mark them. Don’t play guesswork with screw length, or you’ll end up with screws running straight through the RV and sticking out the other side.
Just because you can mount a TV to a hollow wall doesn’t mean you should. In fact, it’s best to avoid doing so, unless you’re willing to remove a section of interior wall and install a backing yourself. Some RVers have successfully used toggle anchors to mount on a hollow wall, but do so at your own risk, and don’t try it with an immense, heavy TV.
Installation
Determine the backer plate’s dimensions with the knock method, pin method, or with a stud finder.
Mark and drill pilot holes, ensuring the bit is small enough that the screw/bolt has plenty of grip.
Begin with the top screws for stability.
Aim for 4 to 6 fasteners.
Use washers for increased surface area grip on the mount’s plate surface.
Tug-test the mount by pulling firmly to make sure it doesn’t budge.
For aluminum RV frames, use self-tapping screws to avoid stripping.
Attach the TV brackets to the back of your TV using the provided screws.
Use a helper to hold the TV throughout the process if needed.
Route cables, drilling small holes if necessary.
Power on the TV and test viewing angles.
Simulate vibrations by shaking the TV to make sure it’s firm.
Always make sure the TV is as flat against the wall as possible before traveling, using a lock or bungee cords if you need them.
Cable Routing
This is usually a no-brainer because RV TV mounting usually takes place right next to the necessary outlets. However, for the more inventive RVers out there, you need to plan ahead of time how the cables will run once the TV is up.
If you’re not mounting near a spot designed for TVs, make sure you won’t have to run the cables very far. You want to be as close to your coax, satellite, and power outlets as possible. Stick with high-quality RG6 cable to minimize signal loss/degradation.
Don’t run cables near other power lines to avoid interference. If you have to run the lines through cabinets, walls, etc., the “fishing line” method works well. Just identify your intended path beforehand. Fish tape is relatively inexpensive, and you will find it at most local hardware stores or on Amazon if you have Prime.
Plan your route ahead of time.
Create access holes (if needed).
Feed the fish tape through the path.
Attach the cable to the tape’s end.
Pull it through, gently if possible, jiggling it if necessary.
Secure the cable at both ends to prevent movement during travel.
RV walls are generally pretty thin, with limited cavity space, so make sure you have a clear and open pathway beforehand.
Mounting to Cabinetry
Depending on the size and weight of the TV and the material of the cabinets, you may have to install a backing plate to give it some extra strength. Otherwise, the installation process is generally the same.
As with mounting to the wall, mark and drill pilot holes beforehand. Also, research the cabinet material strength concerning the TV’s weight. Remember, on an articulating mount, most of the weight will be applied to the top screws. If the material fails, it will usually start there.
Hollow Walls
The best method for RV TV mounting on a hollow wall is a sheet of aluminum or plywood. Keep in mind, “hollow wall” is a generalization, assuming there are studs for you to mount a new backing to. You can do this in one of two ways.
Either carefully remove a section of interior wall, exposing the studs beneath to mount your plate, or mount the plate over the wall, bolting it down to the studs beneath. Obviously, the latter isn’t the most aesthetically pleasing option, but it’s simpler, and the TV will block the plate from view.
Keep in mind that most interior partition walls are hollow and sheathed with 1/8″ plywood on both sides. Do some due diligence and inspection before bolting up a back panel like that and potentially crushing the wall.”
–SLOweather | iRV2 Forums
Remember, the weight of the TV will pull down from the top, so make sure the top of your plate backing is solid. From here, you can simply mount the TV to the new backing in the same manner described above.
Extra Considerations
Of course, there are extra considerations. You didn’t think RV TV mounting would be that simple, did you? Nah, it’s really not that bad, just a few things you should consider before, during, and after installation.
Mind the Weight Limitations: Check the mount specs and wall integrity, and don’t exceed them if you want to avoid wall tearing or failures. Make sure you factor in your TV size. Yes, TVs are measured diagonally, but measuring top-to-bottom and side-to-side will help you center it on the backing.
Travel Safety: Make sure you secure your TV if you’re using a swing mount of any kind. Potholes, road hazards, etc., don’t always announce themselves before you hit them.
Battery/Shore Power: Use a wire finder to avoid drilling into 12V DC lines or 120V AC wiring, causing shorts or fires.
Replacing a Factory TV Mount: These are often flimsy; upgrade to an articulating mount for better ergonomics, and remove old hardware and carefully patch holes.
General Advice: Test the setup while stationary first, then after a short drive to make sure it’s solid.
Just a few things worth thinking about when installing your new TV mount, preferably before you get tied up in your next binge watch, feeding off the neighbor’s unsecured Wi-Fi (insert grinning devil emoji here).
Recommended Mounts and Hardware
In most cases, that shiny new TV mount on Amazon (the one with the shady grammar and punctuation in the description box) is not going to be your best bet. Check those reviews from real people, and look into what other RVers have to say about specific brands. MORryde and RecPro will trump ANSHWARI (yes, I made that up), or some other random, all-caps “brand” every day of the week.
I used the MORryde mount for our 24″ based on Rob’s recommendation and photos. The plate in the wall is pretty large and it’s easy to find the borders with magnets. I used #12×3/4 screws because that is what I had a pack of and they fit the holes in the bracket almost perfectly.”
–Rapid1 | My Grand RV Forums
You’ll pay a little more, but it’s worth it to keep your new TV in one piece. Stick to RV-specific online stores, Amazon (as long as you read the descriptions and reviews like a hawk), and other RV parts stores, such as etrailer.com.
MORryde’s TV1-009H and Mount-it’s MI-2065 are two primary examples of solid TV mounts you can depend on. Look for locking arms for travel, vibration-resistance, VESA compatibility (200×200), and high weight ratings.
Stick with the provided hardware and avoid picking up deck screws or some other absurdly long bolt/screw. It doesn’t take much to go all the way through your RV and damage the exterior.
If all else fails. Get a projector.
FAQs
How do I find a stud or mounting plate in my RV wall? You can pick up a stud finder at Walmart, local hardware stores, or online. You can also use the pin method or the knock method. You not only need to find the studs, but also the dimensions—where the studs are located exactly, or the exact size and edges of the mounting plate.
Can I use regular wall anchors for RV TV mounting? No, opt for heavy-duty toggles or lags, since RV walls are thinner and vibrate more.
What’s the best way to hide wires in an RV TV install? Fish through the walls with fish tape, then follow up with adhesive cord covers or in-wall kits for a seamless finish.
Can I mount a bigger TV than the one that came with the RV? Yes, but only if the wall or cabinet holds the weight and the space allows for it. Check the specs and reinforce if needed.
What if my mount ripped out, and how do I reinforce the wall? Patch the hole and a larger backing plate (plywood/metal) and re-mount with stronger hardware; consult a pro for structural damage.
Conclusion
There are a lot of differing opinions on RV TV mounting, like placement, the perfect screws or bolts to use, sizes, shapes, weights, cable running, and on and on. If you run into something unusual, RV forums are an excellent place to find someone who has previous experience with your specific issue.
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