Reflection, Bedroom TV mount backer plate material?

[titrtyca]

I am working to mount a TV in the area identified in the bedroom of a Reflection 293RES, Janice had previously provided the backer plate location. I am now wanting to know how thick, and what material the backer plate is made of?

Thank You

 

[Glazier]

Why did this never get answered?

 

[titrtyca]

I have now idea why. I was wanting to mount the TV soon, but not sure what type of fasteners to use. I was thinking that the person from the Factory who could ansewer the question was gone.

Thanks for your reply. titrtyca

 

[huntr70]

Not sure how thick the piece is, but they usually embed a piece of plywood in the wall before it is laminated.

Obviously, the wall thickness should be taken into account when buying screws to hold the mounts in.

 

[Glazier]

I just put a mirror over the dresser in our bedroom, we will put the tv on the dresser if needed. I recall a post by Grand Design people saying take a magnet to locate the plate. I bet it's thin steel backer plate, probably 16 gauge or less. I have no facts to prove this, except the post instructing someone to use a magnet. Wood seems to be a better option in my opinion, just don't drill through your exterior wall.

 

[titrtyca]

Thanks for the reply. I do remember something about using a magnet. Which means it must have iron in it attached to the aluminum frame of the coach. I am not a Metallurgist but I can play one on this forum. I am thinking there is a dissimilar metal and corrosion issue. Since Grand Design is not sure what the thickness and type of backer they installed. I guess I will use two 1/2" x 4" carriage bolts with fender washers for added strength. Maybe I could paint the bolt heads to match the tan exterior color.

 

[Glazier]

You better put the flat washer and nut on the exterior, so it don't interfere with your bracket adjustment inside. Lol

 

[Dave and Monica]

The exterior walls are only 2" thick so you need to be careful in your fastener length...lots of places that you can verify wall thickness. The factory really needs to identify the backer...wood or sheet metal to know what type of fastener would be required.

Dave

 

[Justaguy]

^^^^^ What Happy Camper said!! Do you guys have a Camping World near you?

 

[titrtyca]

No Camping World near by.

titryca

 

[Justaguy]

For those that might not know....Camping World will install ANYTHING you buy from them for $39.00 with a Good Sam membership. Just an FYI.

 

[cgoodnight]

While I do not plan to mount a TV in my bedroom, if I were to ...

The magnet is used to find stud. You can also use an electronic stud finder which will find either wood or metal studs.

The backer supplied by the factory is not metal (to the best of my knowledge). It would be a thin piece of plywood or something similar.

Determine if there is a stud where you wish to mount your TV. Mark location with a piece of masking tape.

Get a piece of 1/4 or 3/8 plywood, 8X10 inches would work or slightly larger. Paint to match wall.

The plywood will be centered right to left behind your TV. Top to bottom location depends upon your mount. If there is a stud located behind where your TV will go, put 3
sheet metal screws through the plywood into the stud (spaced vertically in the plywood)--AFTER the next step.

Drill 4 holes located near the corners of the plywood. Hold the plywood in its location and mark through the holes with a nail to indicate their position on the wall. Remove the plywood, install 4 wall anchors where the marks are. Put the plywood back in place and fasten with the wall anchor screws. Then put in the sheet metal screws through the plywood into the studs.

Fasten the TV mount to the plywood with the 4 supplied screws. Fasten the plate to the back of the TV with the supplied bolts.

Install all cables to the back of the TV--power, HDMI if you will need one, and cables for signal.

Connect TV to wall mount.


If you use an articulating mount that will let you swing the TV away from the wall, you will increase the possibility of the TV ripping the screws out of the wall at some time.
I recommend using a simple mount that will hold the TV close to the wall or one that will let it swivel slightly. Best Buy and similar stores do not usually carry these mounts because they are so inexpensive. Look online for TV mounts, should be less than $20.

First choice--get your dealer to mount the TV
Second choice--stop by a Camping World on a trip, buy a mount from them and get them to mount it for $39
Third choice--above

Robert

 

[huntr70]

The backer is electro galvanized steel.

I just confirmed it with Micah, who is the designer of the Reflections.

I was bored, so emailed him at work.....

 

[GDRV Service]

Hi @titrtyca,

I confirmed with our Engineering department that your Reflection 293RES has electro‐galvanized sheet (EGS) metal backer strips in the sidewalls. And it is correct that you can use a magnet to find an EGS backer. To install an aftermarket TV bracket, use either 1" sheet metal screws or 1" hollow wall anchors or 1" molly bolts (do not use self tapping screws or self-threading screws). If you have further installation questions, we respectfully ask you to contact your dealer or our Customer Service department at (574) 825-8000.

Best regards,
~ Janice

 

[titrtyca]

Thank both hunter and Janice. This helps very much

 

[balm32]

I just installed a TV mount in our 323bhs.

Directions from Janice above were perfect. Magnet and #14 sheet metal screws, 1". The grip was perfect. I do wish the backer went a little higher up the wall. I had to do some modification to the mount to get the TV in the position I wanted it, but this was more of an issue with where the mount screws were on the TV (not centered vertically) as opposed to the backer. I emailed GD to see if I could get a picture of this with the paneling off similar to the one on page 18 of the link below, but I never heard back from them. It turns out, it really isn't necessary. Use a magnet and trust it. Easy install.

http://www.primetimerv.com/download/tracer-producthighlight.pdf