Best TV unit for truckers

I would say a lot of that depends on your truck, its placements / mounting, power source, your driving habits, etc...

In Volvo 780 - passenger side lower bunk area has a plateau over (inner) side storage compartment. I used to mount my 22" flat panel w/ strategically placed double sided HD sticky tape from Wal-Mart (Westinghouse), Mac Mini, Sony PS2 and routed all the wirings into the lower storage compartment w/power strip going to my 3k watt power inverter via extension cord.

In Freightliner Century S/T (or pretty much any FL condo) – you can mount a bracket w/ long bolts from front top overhead compartment through to CB mounting compartment. The bracket was fabricated w/ wood so it hanged out somewhat like cranes’ arm w/ straight tracked bracket which curves slightly toward the top inline w/ the roof contour of the truck. What it looked like was short 7” arm barely sticking out of the front top storage area above CB compartment which is then connected w/ a short 12” tracked arm (curved at top). You could mount 27” – 37” (or larger) flat panel that you lower so you can view it from your bunk and raised up on track blocking your sunroof (if you have one) when you drive. We had couple of drivers at the previous company I was leased to do this which worked out great because unlike me, they were leasing their trucks and this method leaves very little or any signs of holes being drilled into their trucks. It sounds lot more complicating than it actually is but doable depending how “life like” you want to view porn…. uh, I mean educational videos you intend to watch.

In KW 900L Studio – I got a flat panel mounted on the top shelf of the passenger side. From the top compartment to the top shelf there are 4 bolts that goes through to an angled pedestal which the base of the flat panel mounts on to with another metal bracket attaching the flat panel to its 4 point mount in the rear for extra support. Since the pedestal is angled down in the front and the flat panel is tilted fullest to the front, you can watch it from the couch but I’m not happy with it because you still have to look up or get up on the top bunk. I have my Mac Mini server attached to it through HDMI adapter and I would rather face the screen in more natural state. Maybe need to fabricate an arm that locks in place after swinging out and down to more comfortable viewing angle but retracts to smaller more secure foot print when the truck is in motion.

Now, I’m trying to change my driving habits and actually do the speed limit along w/ trying to get the road rage thing under control. Anyhow, if all these methods held w/ my colorful (previous) driving habits in north east part of the country where speed + terrain contributes greatly, I would say they should work in almost any truck. They never rattled, broke off, presented any danger or got damaged and it was “comfortable to me” at the time factor. All these methods doesn't deface or leaves noticeable damage to the truck when all the changes are taken back out. Which could be a factor when the time comes to sell or when returning the truck to rightful owner.

 

tk, can you post up any pictures, or links for the bracket you can use for the freightliner. We have a Columbia. I would appreciate it! Thanks!

 

Wish I could, gave that truck to my cousin and he "had" to get out of trucking. In a W9 now.

Basically 2 x 4 wood - cut 2 pcs approx 8' w/ notch at the center so they can be fitted as a "(+ / cross)". That will be used as a base. Next cut a 2x4 approx 7' but both top and bottom are cut in an angle (40 degrees?). That will be the stem that "leans" out from the top cubby hole. The the next pc will be the (approx) 10' pole that flat panel will be monuted on.

The two 2 pc (+ / cross) base should be laid on its side so flat side is up on both.

The angle cut "stem" should be facing out the cubby hole on its thin side.

The "pole" should be mounted at the end of the stem" on its wide side.

I drilled bolt holes and used bolts / washers/ nuts instead of long wood screws. The guys that uses screws said it held and never gave them a problem but I just wanted to be extra secured. I also used "L" support bracket where ever possible on all "L" joints but again other did not and they had no issues. Wood are light + easy to work with. Good luck.

 

Are their any companies that install Flat Screen TVs?

 

you can mount a 19" ,with a stand, by yourself. It's real easy.
I'd choose a company based on cents per mile, benefits, hometime and miles, before whether a shop will mount a TV.

Good luck out here.