Upgrading your RV TV

For many having a TV in the RV is unnecessary because they take the RV out on weekends and vacation, spending most of their time outdoors. However many RVers have come to rely on their TVs for entertainment, whether it be using a video game console and playing games like Wii bowling, viewing rented DVD movies or just watching regular TV programming.

Since the switch to HDTV broadcasting we have been forced to a decision - get a converter box or a new TV that has one built in.

It was a no-brainer for me since I did not like the behemoth TV that came with our motorhome. It stuck out into the entryway and made surprise attacks on unsuspecting heads on numerous occasions.The new televisions are thinner, lighter and have a much better picture quality than a comparable sized older television. I measured where I wanted to put my new TV and went shopping. I chose a 25 inch LCD HDTV which would fit nicely in the place of my old TV. Some remodeling of the overhead console was required and if you have moderate woodworking skills you can easily do this job. If not, you can pay several thousand dollars and have an RV specialty shop do it for you. Excluding the price of the TV, my cost for materials was under $100 for this project.

For comparrison purposes here is the old frame and the finished application.I began by removing the old TV and it's housing box.Next I carefully removed the electronic cabinet next to the old TV box, leaving the overhead console platform in place.I needed to trim a few inches off the electronics cabinet, which I did with a table saw. I added a new walnut plywood side to the remodeled electronics cabinet because it was now going to be exposed to view. I also needed to trim several inches off the overhead console platform so I used a multi-tool with a vibrating head ($40 at Harbor Freight) with a piece of scrap under the cut to avoid damaging the covering.I used a pneumatic stapler to reattach the covering and reinserted the modified electronic cabinet.I crafted a frame for the new TV and tilted it down slightly to avoid glare and give it a better viewing angle. I attached it into the ceiling with screws.In the above photo I installed the frame backwards and was wondering why it wasn't fitting correctly. I stepped back and looked at it, realized my mistake and started laughing. I switched it around and it fit perfectly.

I still needed to deal with several other minor details. In this photo you can see where the manufacturer cut a hole in the ceiling to install and access the CB antenna along with a few other wires. I rerouted the wires behind the new TV frame by cutting a channel in the Styrofoam insulation using a drywall saw. The new TV is held in place on the new frame by a face frame cover. I used pocket screws to join the frame pieces.

I made a simple wood cover for the ceiling from walnut plywood, edged it with walnut trim and stained and finished it to match. The holes in the bottom of the TV frame are for the speakers. For the rear access panel I used a solid piece of walnut and drilled three ventilation holes. The ventilation holes also act as finger grips when inserting or removing the cover.The access cover has a lip that holds it in place.

I no longer bump my head, enjoy a better view out the front windshield and have better picture quality. A very nice upgrade!There are many other options and ideas for doing this type of modification. Here are some photos showing how fellow RVers have dealt with this.