Insane 1999 Wildwood repair....pic heavy!

[rollscanardly]

Originally Posted by Maman325

Wow! It looks brand new. Almost time to camp! :-)

Thanks! It'll be ready soon. I hope to finish installing the new window blinds, and new TV this weekend.

After that, there's still more....but we're getting there!

Rich

[dblr]

Originally Posted by rollscanardly

Thanks! It'll be ready soon. I hope to finish installing the new window blinds, and new TV this weekend.

After that, there's still more....but we're getting there!

Rich

I bet you'll never run out of stories for around the campfire

[rollscanardly]

Originally Posted by dblr

I bet you'll never run out of stories for around the campfire

well...errr...ummm...we'll see......

Rich

[rollscanardly]

There is a cubby hole space for a TV in the camper...designed for one of the old "box" TV's. In the back wall of this cubby hole there is a cable hookup, and a 12V outlet.

In this little camper, space is at a premium, so we want to be able to use that space.

So, my idea was to install a ceiling mount for the new flatscreen TV. I was going to keep the TV in the UP position when traveling, and lower it for watching.

So, this is the ceiling layout for the mount....



After some holding the TV up there, and some confusing head-scratching, I decided to try something different, while still using the ceiling mount.

I cut out, stained, and installed this piece of wood to fasten the mount to, while still having access to the space behind the TV...



Here's the mount temporarily attached to the TV...



The mount came with lag bolts, but I decided to through-bolt it instead...





TV attached...




So, we will leave it down all the time, and lift it up when we need to get into that space. Eventually, I will make some sort of a hook thing to hold it in the raised position.

It works...(roof antenna, only)...





YAY!!!

Rich

[rp53]

you wouldn't be untreated in selling it would you!!
best work I've seen

[rmac04401]

Originally Posted by rollscanardly

There is a cubby hole space for a TV in the camper...designed for one of the old "box" TV's. In the back wall of this cubby hole there is a cable hookup, and a 12V outlet.

In this little camper, space is at a premium, so we want to be able to use that space.

So, my idea was to install a ceiling mount for the new flatscreen TV. I was going to keep the TV in the UP position when traveling, and lower it for watching.

So, this is the ceiling layout for the mount....



After some holding the TV up there, and some confusing head-scratching, I decided to try something different, while still using the ceiling mount.

I cut out, stained, and installed this piece of wood to fasten the mount to, while still having access to the space behind the TV...



Here's the mount temporarily attached to the TV...



The mount came with lag bolts, but I decided to through-bolt it instead...





TV attached...




So, we will leave it down all the time, and lift it up when we need to get into that space. Eventually, I will make some sort of a hook thing to hold it in the raised position.

It works...(roof antenna, only)...





YAY!!!

Rich

Looks good. You could always put it on a hinged door and just open the door to get into the cubbie if the hook idea does not work!! Hopefully I’ll see you at a campground someday where I can see your handy work up close and live.

[DavidBo]

I like it, every cubic inch of available space counts. That might be a good spot for electronics storage during future upgrades, like a cell phone booster, WiFi router or similar high tech goodies.
I like the TV mount, but will it be strong enough for bumpy roads or do you have plans to make it more secure while underway? Won't be too big a deal considering how light these TVs have gotten.
Keep up with the great work!

[rollscanardly]

Originally Posted by rp53

you wouldn't be untreated in selling it would you!!
best work I've seen

Sell it!!!......

Okay...how much??.....

Originally Posted by rmac04401

Looks good. You could always put it on a hinged door and just open the door to get into the cubbie if the hook idea does not work!! Hopefully I’ll see you at a campground someday where I can see your handy work up close and live.

I'll be honest with you. I try to do a good job, but the workmanship always looks better in the pics than it does "live"...so, if we ever meet, don't look too closely!....

Originally Posted by DavidBo

I like it, every cubic inch of available space counts. That might be a good spot for electronics storage during future upgrades, like a cell phone booster, WiFi router or similar high tech goodies.
I like the TV mount, but will it be strong enough for bumpy roads or do you have plans to make it more secure while underway? Won't be too big a deal considering how light these TVs have gotten.
Keep up with the great work!

I am going to figure out a way to really secure it for traveling. The hinged arm of the mount does have a latching / locking mechanism, but there is still some wiggly-play there. It's got to be tighter...

Rich

[Jay2504]

Nice looking tv install Rich. After looking at the tv playing, I went back to the beginning of this thread to see what kind of antenna you were running. Turns out that we both have the same thing. I added the “wingman” to my “batwing” later. What I found out was the “wingman” makes the antenna VERY directional. Once you get out Camping away from big city’s the antenna will be very sensitive to being pointed in the right direction. We use a compass to point ours in the direction of the nearest city. Then run a channel scan,then fine tune with a built in signal strength meter in the tv. I have also found that weather or day/night makes a difference in the number of channels you get. For me tuning the antenna is just one of the fun things about camping. Jay.

[rollscanardly]

So much to learn...thank you, Jay.

That day, I just hooked everything up and turned the TV on. I didn't play with the antenna direction, or anything. Should be fun to figure all that stuff out.

Sounds like you've got it down to a science!

Rich

[rp53]

no i don't have the truck to tow it, but actually i would rather have yours than a new one I have followed this thread from day one and you do outstanding work. and from what i've seen here i is probably more sound than any new one that rolls of the line

[B D HOWie]

Originally Posted by Jay2504

Nice looking tv install Rich. After looking at the tv playing, I went back to the beginning of this thread to see what kind of antenna you were running. Turns out that we both have the same thing. I added the “wingman” to my “batwing” later. What I found out was the “wingman” makes the antenna VERY directional. Once you get out Camping away from big city’s the antenna will be very sensitive to being pointed in the right direction. We use a compass to point ours in the direction of the nearest city. Then run a channel scan,then fine tune with a built in signal strength meter in the tv. I have also found that weather or day/night makes a difference in the number of channels you get. For me tuning the antenna is just one of the fun things about camping. Jay.

I use the TV Tower app to find the station towers. Just use it while outside several feet from the RV to get an accurate reading.
Paul

[rollscanardly]

Originally Posted by rp53

no i don't have the truck to tow it, but actually i would rather have yours than a new one I have followed this thread from day one and you do outstanding work. and from what i've seen here i is probably more sound than any new one that rolls of the line

That's what I'm hoping.

It's small compared to most, it has no slide-outs, but it should be a good "starter home" to learn about the camping experience.

Originally Posted by B D HOWie

I use the TV Tower app to find the station towers. Just use it while outside several feet from the RV to get an accurate reading.
Paul

I just Googled this (TV tower app...) and see that there are several.

Is there one app that people have found to be better than others, or are they all pretty much the same?

Rich

[Evereddie]

Originally Posted by rollscanardly

.....I just Googled this (TV tower app...) and see that there are several.

Is there one app that people have found to be better than others, or are they all pretty much the same?

Rich

I start with the app Tv Towers to see an overall view of stations. I then switch to DTV Antennas. Each station shows up as a compass heading and you also get a mileage number to each station and if the data base thinks you are to far to pick it up.


Regarding TV Towers app: On my Android phone, once it is installed, it is called "TV Towers". In the App store it is called TV Tower, Digital TV Antennas. Go figure.

[rollscanardly]

Originally Posted by Evereddie

I start with the app Tv Towers to see an overall view of stations. I then switch to DTV Antennas. Each station shows up as a compass heading and you also get a mileage number to each station and if the data base thinks you are to far to pick it up.


Regarding TV Towers app: On my Android phone, once it is installed, it is called "TV Towers". In the App store it is called TV Tower, Digital TV Antennas. Go figure.

I confuse easily enough, as it is!!.....

Rich

[rp53]

hat's what I'm hoping.

It's small compared to most, it has no slide-outs, but it should be a good "starter home" to learn about the camping experience.

about what does that bad boy weigh

[rollscanardly]

Originally Posted by rp53

hat's what I'm hoping.

It's small compared to most, it has no slide-outs, but it should be a good "starter home" to learn about the camping experience.

about what does that bad boy weigh

It weighs 5630 lbs. empty.

Rich

[rp53]

thats not bad

[rollscanardly]

So...today I got a couple of things done.

One of those things was the installation of the brake controller in my truck.

A small mounting bracket comes with the kit, but it wasn't adequate enough.

I decided to add on to it...

The kit...





I grabbed a piece of aluminum that I had, and drew up a rough sketch...



Cut the piece to size...



Punched a few holes in it...

















...more to come...

[rollscanardly]

Bending it...









Installing threaded inserts into the aluminum...



inserts installed...





...more to come...