If you’re an RV lover, you want your rig to be like a second home – or maybe even a primary home. This means all the amenities of modern living. You want a working toilet, air conditioning and, yes, television. Given an RV’s space limitations, and the fact that it’s a vehicle, an RV TV should always be wall mounted. For this reason, most RVs come with a wall mount pre-installed. Unfortunately, on RVs that were manufactured before about the year 2000, the wall mount will no longer work. The reason? They’re designed to support older CRT TVs. They won’t work with a modern flat screen TV.
This can blindside even experienced RVers. It’s just not something you consider when you’re making your purchase. You’re more concerned about the mileage, the features, the cabinet space, and the size of the shower. The last thing on your mind is whether or not the TV mount is going to work. But there are literally hundreds of TV wall mounts for RVs, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. Not only that, but some TV wall mounts will only work in your home. The mounting hardware simply won’t function in an RV, or the arm won’t lock in place.
We’ve reviewed many wall mounts recently, including curved TV wall mounts and Nintendo Switch wall mounts. Today, we’re going to check out three of the best lockable TV wall mounts for RVs. First, we’ll review the Perlesmith RV Lockable TV Wall Mount. This is a heavy duty swivel mount that can support mid-sized screens. Next, we’ll examine the Master Mounts 2311L Locking RV TV Mount. This is a more lightweight mount that’s designed to mount in tighter spaces. Finally, we’ll look at the InstallerParts Lockable TV Wall Mount. This is a beefier mount that’s suitable for bigger screens, but it won’t swivel. Which one is best? Let’s take a closer look, and find out!
How to Install a TV Wall Mount in an RV
The first step in purchasing a TV wall mount is ensuring that it’s the right size for your television. There are two aspects to sizing. First off, look at the size of the back mounting plate. If it’s bigger than your TV, it’s going to stick out, even if the TV is safely mounted. Next, look at the distance between the mounting holes. Typically, this is measured in mm, such as 75×75, 200×200, and so on. As long as your TV falls within the wall mount’s size range, you’re ready to get started.
Unless you want to tear your RV wall apart, your next step will be to utilize a good stud finder. This will allow you to locate where to most securely position your mount. Mark off the edges of the stud with painters tape, and mark the centers with a pencil. Keep in mind that the studs will not necessarily be level. You may need to measure at several heights to mark the stud out properly. Alternatively, you may be able to use drywall anchors to attach your wall mount. In this case, you won’t need to use a stud finder, but some wall mounts need to be anchored to a stud.
Similarly, your floor is unlikely to be 100 percent level. As a result, using a level to position the mount will result in it being crooked. Instead, you want the top corners of the mount to be the same distance from the floor. This way, the TV will appear straight, no matter your RV’s orientation. Use a tape measure to measure the distance from the floor to where you want the top corners to be. Mark off these spots with a pencil, then follow your manufacturer’s mounting instructions. Make sure to measure your mount’s size when you do this, and ensure that the TV will be at a comfortable height.
If you have to pre-drill pilot holes, make sure to use a spacer on your drill. You should only be drilling 1 3/8 inches into the stud. Any further than that, and you can damage your RV wall. Moreover, make sure not to over-tighten screws while you’re attaching your mount. Over-tightening can strip your holes, which means you need to reposition the mount. If the mount is too loose, you can always tighten the screws more later on.
Perlesmith RV Lockable TV Wall Mount
The Perlesmith RV Lockable TV Wall Mount is a mid-weight mount that’s suitable for small to mid-sized TVs. It’s constructed from black anodized aluminum, with a satin finish that will match most décor schemes. It supports TVs of around 23 to 43 inches, although the specifications will really depend on how your TV mounts. The Perlesmith mount will fit VESA 75×75, 100×100, 200×100, and 200×200 patterns. This fits most TVs in the size range, although some larger TVs may work. On the large end, your only real limitation is the 77-pound weight limit. On the small end, 23 inches is the size of the bracket itself. Smaller TVs may fit, but the bracket will stick out from behind the screen.
The Perlesmith RV Lockable TV Wall Mount comes with all the mounting hardware you need. It can be installed on drywall as well as studs, so placement is not an issue. Keep in mind, though, that this mount is designed for RV use. There’s no reason you can’t use it in your home, but it doesn’t come with masonry anchors. If you’re trying to install it on brick or stone, you’ll need to provide your own anchors. That said, there’s a set of cable ties included in the kit. These can be used to keep your cords clear of potential pinch points.
The Perlesmith mount has a full range of motion. There are three separate pivots, each of which can swivel 90 degrees. This means it can be held at any angle, so you can watch your TV from anywhere in the room. When fully extended, the arm reaches 15.7 inches. Keep in mind that this assumes the arm is held at 90 degrees from the wall. Nonetheless, it can still be extended about a foot at most angles. If you want your TV held flat to the wall, the mount retracts to a thickness of 2.4 inches. Regardless of position, the back plate can be tilted 5 degrees up or 15 degrees down. As a result, it can be mounted at a wide range of heights.
To work safely in an RV, a swivel TV mount needs to have a locking mechanism. The Perlesmith RV Lockable TV Wall Mount includes a nylon pull loop for easy use. Pull the cord down, and you can move the mount freely. Release the cord, and the mount will lock into position. Even when fully extended, vibration is minimal, so you don’t have to worry about your TV’s safety.
Perlesmith offers a five-year manufacturer’s warranty on their mount. They also offer 24/7 customer support, so you can get help with any installation issues. This is a great added value, especially for beginners.
Master Mounts 2311L Locking RV TV Mount
Where the Perlesmith mount is big and beefy, the Master Mounts 2311L Locking RV TV Mount is more lightweight. Like the Perlesmith, it’s constructed from black anodized aluminum. However, it’s much slimmer and smaller, and it’s only rated for 33 pounds. This will be the most significant limit on the size of TV you can mount. The other limitation is the size of the VESA mount on your TV. The 2311L will mount on TVs that with a 75×75 or 100×100 mount only. In practice, this means your TV should be 42 inches or smaller, but your mileage may vary by manufacturer. In terms of minimum size, the back plate is so small that this is simply not a concern.
The Master Mounts 2311L Locking RV TV Mount’s best feature is its simple mounting bracket. Most TV wall mounts are designed to attach with four screws. The 2311L, on the other hand, requires only two screws. This narrows the base to less than two inches in width, allowing you to attach the mount just about anywhere. Space is simply not a concern. Keep in mind, though, that the mount needs to be affixed to a stud. It doesn’t come with drywall anchors because it isn’t designed to be used that way.
Like the Perlesmith mount, the Master Mounts Mount features three pivot points on the mounting arm. This allows it to be positioned at any angle, for easy viewing from anywhere in the room. When fully extended, the arm measures 14.5 inches in length. This is surprising, given the small size. The arm can also be collapsed to lie flat against the wall. In this position, it’s less than an inch thick. Regardless of position, the TV can be pivoted down by up to 12 degrees. It can also be pivoted 8 degrees left, right, or up, for easy fine-tuning after installation.
In addition to all this, the Master Mounts 2311L also has a locking pin. It works similarly to the Perlesmith’s pin, but it’s operated by a chain instead of a strap. It’s easy to use, and we had no complaints about its operation.
InstallerParts Lockable TV Wall Mount
The InstallerParts Lockable TV Wall Mount is a bit different from the last two mounts we looked at. It’s a fixed mount, without any large, flexible arms. This makes it a poor choice if your viewing angle isn’t more or less perpendicular to the wall. On the other hand, the InstallerParts mount is an excellent choice if you have a very large TV. It’s rated for up to 110 pounds, which means it supports any TV size that’s realistic for an RV. The sturdy steel construction is built to last, with a scratch-resistant finish that can handle significant abuse.
The two vertical mounting arms are attached to horizontal brackets, and can be widened or narrowed as needed. This means that the InstallerParts stand can fit just about any mount size, from 50×50 to 600×400. This equates to virtually any display up to 50 inches in size. Larger TVs may or may not work depending on the VESA mount size, so check your owner’s manual. Similarly, most small TVs will fit just fine. However, TVs smaller than 32 inches will not entirely conceal the mounting brackets.
In terms of installation, the InstallerParts Lockable TV Wall Mount is fairly straightforward. It requires four screws, which can be drilled into studs or drywall. If you want to mount it in masonry for home use, you’ll need to provide your own masonry anchors. There are built-in bubble levels that make installation much faster at home. For RV installation, though, follow our instructions to ensure the mount is level with the floor, not the ground.
Even though there’s no extension arm, the InstallerParts Lockable TV Wall Mount is still slightly flexible. It can tilt 5 degrees up, or 15 degrees down. This doesn’t help with horizontal discrepancies, but it’s great for adjusting your TV to your bed height.
Final Verdict
Which one of these lockable TV wall mounts is the best? Let’s sum up what we’ve learned! We started out by looking at the Perlesmith RV Lockable TV Wall Mount. This is a great choice for small to mid sized TVs, provided you have space to mount it. With its versatile pivots, it can also point in any direction you want.
Next, we checked out the Master Mounts 2311L Locking RV TV Mount. This mount is the lightest-duty of the bunch, with a weight limit of only 33 pounds. On the other hand, it mounts on a single stud, so it’s a great choice for tight spaces. And considering the light weight, you get plenty of flexibility.
The InstallerParts Lockable TV Wall Mount is the polar opposite of the last mount. While the Master Mounts mount is ideal for smaller TVs, the InstallerParts Lockable TV Wall Mount is built for big screens. With its 100-pound weight capacity, it can support even the largest RV TVs. On the downside, it isn’t flexible.
Meet Derek, “TechGuru,” a 34-year-old technology enthusiast with a deep passion for tech innovations. With extensive experience, he specializes in gaming hardware and software, and has expertise in gadgets, custom PCs, and audio.
Besides writing about tech and reviewing new products, Derek enjoys traveling, hiking, and photography. Committed to keeping up with the latest industry trends, he aims to guide readers in making informed tech decisions.