TVs And Mounts--In cab customization

I have a 16" naxa tv/dvd and I just set it on the shelf after parking. I have a box about 1/2 full of movies I never watch, I kept the Styrofoam protectors from the packaging and just put those on the set and keep it in the box o' crap on the bed while driving.

call me cheap(or lazy ), but im not doing any modifications to a truck I don't own.

also beware of static! my dvd player is fried from grabbing the set last winter....the spark apparently went in the dvd slot. I believe it toasted the sensor that tells it a disc in in, now it wont eject it lol. still plays it fine, but ive seen Battlestar Galacticas' movie enough....

 

I wanted more storage so I bought 3 of the square load locks that collapse shorter than the round ones. I bought 5 plastic bins. I put two locks above the bunk which created a shelf, put the 5 bins on them and put the third lock in front of them to keep the bins in place. It worked great. I stored food, movies, clothes, tools, etc. The shelves cause no permanent alteration and over the years the truck was inspected by maintenance with no complaint.

The other thing I did was not so kosher. I mounted my tv on the truck on the plastic shelving on the passenger side. When I knew maintenance men would be in the truck I'd take it down, leaving the two mounting holes which I covered by hanging a towel over them as if it was drying.

I had that setup in that truck for about 3 years until the truck was sold. I got a brand new truck next and put the shelves back up but didn't mount the tv. I just wasn't using it enough and took it out of the new truck completely. I couldn't live without the extra storage though.

 

Why buy a TV? I use my laptop computer to watch movies, I stream movies from my DirecTV account, I can get the weather, music, maps and anything else I may want info on from my laptop. I would recommend you go with your laptop. Many places have free WIFI or you can get your cell phone set up as a WIFI hot spot and pull the internet just about anywhere. Just my humble opinion

 

Depends on your data plan. And most truck stops don't have free wifi, and you also gotta be pretty clost to the building to get it, not always possible.

 

Yea you chew up data real fast streaming video. I have 8GB/month on my Jetpack, and I sometimes go over that just streaming the occasional football game and some videos.

 

If you wanted to watch Netflix or stream videos, all you'd have to do is find a nearby McDonalds and walk/park over there. Pretty sure every McDs has free wi-fi. Also alot of taco bells have them as well.

 

i have been wanting to build a wood base to set in my tv cubby in which to affix a tv mount, however, it seems that I never have time when i'm home. lately getting my entertainment from the verizon phone and sirius. I did mount my sirius and gps cords nicely, enclosed them in that black wire wrap stuff and have it all nicely mounted and or tucked away, looks professional and did not cost much. I've also thought about putting a wood board up by my bunk, feet end, and do one of the inexpensive straight wall mounts to it with a larger tv....again, crappy weather and other things to do. Whatever I makes gonna be super portable so i could move it from truck to truck without issue.

 

Again depends. If McDs or any other place is attached to T/A, pilot, flyJ, loves, won't be free. Denny's might be though, I can't remember. Kwik Trips are free though.