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TV Cabinet - Alternative Uses
I just removed the old CRT tv set from its cabinet above the driver side couch in the back. I would never use it - I actually don't want to have a tv set there at all. Now I have an ugly hole there and I'm wondering whether other people did the same and could tell me (and possibly post even some pictures) what they did with this cabinet.

The inside of the cabinet is actually more cluttered than I thought. One idea is to get 1/4 inch plywood and cover the walls and put in a "straight" board so that the space (or what is left) can be used for storage. Does someone have a better idea? I also have to add that I am (at least for now) not the most talented handyman.

Greetings - Nick
2001 26.5 Mid-Bath
Re: TV Cabinet - Alternative Uses
Reply #1 –
You can see what one owner (our esteemed former moderator) did here: Upgrade frenzy

I removed the original tv and replaced it with a lcd tv on an articulating arm and sometimes put random soft items (coats, pillows) in the space, but you don’t want another tv. 

Rich
‘03 MB in NC
2003 MB
Re: TV Cabinet - Alternative Uses
Reply #2 –
Andy Baird's transformation would certainly be like a dream come true but if I would try to do something like that I would probably need a new LD afterwards (or better: in the middle of it).

I might change my opinion about having a monitor there. With a rotating and swiveling arm I should be able to even mount my  27-inch computer monitor  (size: 24" x 14") there (and use the cabinet for "random soft items"). I would like to keep this monitor anyway - it's a great monitor and uses only 36 watts. In portrait position it would be 1 or 2 inches longer than the height of the cabinet. It's probably mainly a question of finding the right arm for my needs.
2001 26.5 Mid-Bath
Re: TV Cabinet - Alternative Uses
Reply #3 –
I just added a 24" TV on an articulating arm.  I first attached a 2x6 piece to the top, bottom and crossbar inside the cabinet to provide a solid base for the arm.  With the arm, the TV can easily be moved to get into that rear cabinet beside the TV cabinet, or to insert a dvd.  I also put a little 3" tall strip of wood across the bottom of the TV cabinet, so I can put the remote and some dvd's in the cabinet without them sliding out.  Finally, I attached a bungee cord from the top of the cabinet to where the TV mounts to the arm to serve as a shock absorber.  Only one trip so far, but everything seems fine.  I'd include a pic, but the LD is in storage until our upcoming Labor Day week excursion.
Tom C.
2003 MB
Re: TV Cabinet - Alternative Uses
Reply #4 –
Tom, this sounds interesting. I would appreciate pictures, especially from the supporting construction in the cabinet.

My monitor weighs 10 lbs and so far I was thinking to attach the arm to a board that I attach on the inside of the cabinet to the wall between the cabinet and the shower. That way most of the cabinet would still be available for storage. How is that in your case? Can you still store some stuff in the tv cabinet itself?

I am also wondering how "dangerous" it is to screw something to the wall to the shower. How thick might this wall be, how far can I screw into it without damaging the shower cabin?
2001 26.5 Mid-Bath
Re: TV Cabinet - Alternative Uses
Reply #5 –
Hi Nick. Sorry I didn't take pictures of the 2001 MB that I fixed up for a friend. I put in a 24" Samsung LCD, LED TV on a pressurized gas strut swing arm. The forward wall inside the old TV space is 3/4" plywood and can easily support 10 pounds. There is also hollow space before it would hit the shower. The complicating factor is the non square-ness of the original cabinet, which was good for the original heavy tube tv, but tough to work with otherwise.
    The best conversion, that someone here posted, was to completely remove the old cabinet. That takes a bit of skill, and more time than I had then.   RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: TV Cabinet - Alternative Uses
Reply #7 –
Nick R,
    I'll post a pic when I get a chance, but perhaps a description will suffice.  I'm doing this from memory, so I hope I get it right.
    My cabinet has a crossbar inside running horizontally across the middle that kept the back of the old TV in place.  Since that crossbar is very sturdy, I cut a piece of 2x6 to fit against that crossbar, with the bottom of the 2x6 beveled to be snug against the bottom of the cabinet.  It is not snug against the top, though it is pretty close.  I bolted the 2x6 to the crossbar, rather than using screws, since that gives me more confidence.  I don't think I bothered to attach the bottom since the weight of the tv/arm pushes the bottom back, but the snug fit and bevel keeps the bottom firmly in place.  A screw wouldn't hurt, since the bottom of the cabinet is fairly thick.  In any case, I avoided attaching anything to the walls - I'm just not confident of just what I can do there.  Everything is attached to the existing cabinet.
    Important: I checked the viewing angles on the TV.  The arm I purchased allows plenty of side to side and twisting motion, but it only allows a 5 degree up/down motion.  So I needed the arm to be angled down so we can comfortably see the screen from the sofa.  Thus the 2x6 is not set straight vertically, but angled down so when the TV is mounted, it is aiming down at a good viewing angle. 
    I bolted the base of the arm to the 2x6.  I just don't trust screws to hold the weight (the TV is 10 lbs), what with all the vibration. 
    I am going to tweak my bungee cord position .  Right now it takes a little load off the arm and does act as a shock absorber.  But our experience so far is that the arm tends to extend a bit (2-4 inches) when traveling and I'd like to have the cord hold the TV a bit more snugly in place since the further the arm is extended, the more pressure on the base.  When in this position, the TV is close against the old cabinet and in good position to view.  But it does have to be swiveled a bit to insert a dvd or to open the cabinet next door.
     
Tom C.
2003 MB
Re: TV Cabinet - Alternative Uses
Reply #8 –
Okay,  all this chat with no pics,  I had to go take pics of our setup. 
We did not install this but it works well.  We did change the bungee cord for a re-purposed life jacket strap and clip. The strap holds the tv in place without the stretch from the bungee.  There is a 2x4 screwed to the wall behind the shower and steel L screwed to that, then a large cross piece to the other side of the cabinet where the L is reversed and installed inside the cabinet.  The bracket is then screwed on and we are in business.
Hope these visuals help.

oh yes a small strip at the bottom retains cords and etc.
Sand Castle (Theresa & Everett) Surfside
01'  26.5 Mid Bath,   2018 31IB
Michigan born and starting to explore the US with my  spouse and our furry friend. Enjoying joining LD group rallies.
Re: TV Cabinet - Alternative Uses
Reply #9 –
OK, I have a couple pics.  One for the mount and one for the TV in viewing position (viewing from sofa - it is angled fairly sharply down).

As far as mounting, my memory is feeble, but what I did is pretty obvious from the pic.  I now have two bungee cords.  One is to support the center of the arm and provide some shock absorbing. The other connects to where the TV attaches to the arm and is intended to help hold the TV in position.  We have to hold the TV in place from behind since it is commonly being viewed (dvd's) while on the road.
Tom C.
2003 MB
Re: TV Cabinet - Alternative Uses
Reply #10 –
You might consider replacing the bungee anchors with eye bolts so they'd be less likely to bounce out, and maybe bend the hooks to have a narrower throat.  Just a thought.
Joel & Terry Wiley
dog Zeke
2013  31 IB   Orwan   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE
Re: TV Cabinet - Alternative Uses
Reply #11 –
Joel:  We're about to head off on a one-week 1000 mile trip, so well see if they hold up or slip.  I was thinking of replacing the plastic hooks simply because they are big and ugly, but you're right - they are probably more prone to slip as well.  Being hard plastic, they are not very bendable.  I just grabbed them from my collection of cords, all of which are similarly equipped.
Tom C.
2003 MB
 
Re: TV Cabinet - Alternative Uses
Reply #12 –
Final report: the TV mount held up fine for a modest 500+ mile trip - both for stationary and on the road viewing.  That included a 6 mile round-trip from Tincup to Mirror Lake  (Colorado) that was the roughest I have ever driven on.  We averaged maybe 6 mph on that stretch.  We head off again tomorrow and will have some more rough roads in the Creede area.  I figure if the mount hold up under these conditions, it should be good for pretty much anything.
Tom C.
2003 MB