How to wall mount atv


How to mount a TV to the wall in 8 easy steps

(Image credit: Shutterstock/Monkey Business Images)

Learning how to wall mount a TV gives you the power to make one of the biggest upgrades for your home theater (outside of buying a new TV or a fancy sound system). And we've already found the best TV mounts. Wall-mounting a TV comes with a number of benefits, from a cleaner aesthetic design, to better ergonomics for more enjoyable watching.

It's also super affordable, with plenty of excellent mounting options selling for $100 or less. Whether you have a simple tilting wall mount or a fully articulated, dual-arm mount that provides a full range of motion and positions, the basics for installing that hardware are pretty much the same.

From the prep work to the actual installation, here's how to wall mount a TV, step by step.

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What you'll need

Aside from having a TV and a wall, you'll need to have a few things on hand to properly mount your TV.

  • Paper template (optional)
  • Pencil or masking tape
  • Tape measure
  • Stud finder
  • Level
  • Power drill with drill bit
  • Philips head or flathead screwdriver
  • TV mount
  • Included mounting hardware (screws, spacers, etc.)

You'll also want at least one other person to help. You'll need an extra pair of hands to help lift and position the TV, and perhaps a second person to assist in getting the position just right.

Some notes on handling TVs

Take it from a guy who has personally unboxed and set up dozens and dozens of TVs – you need someone else to help you out. While smaller TVs can be handled by a single person, anything over 50 inches should be moved and lifted by two people. Even if the weight is manageable for a single person to lift, the size and shape of the TV make it unwieldy, and care has to be taken to prevent damaging the display. Mounting a broken TV will take all the fun out of it.

When handling a TV, you'll want to take extra care to protect the display panel. A large sheet of glass or plastic will naturally have some flex to it, but the underlying display technology usually doesn't. Even a little bit of unwanted flexing or pressure on a panel can damage a TV beyond repair. (Again, take it from a guy who has broken a few TVs over the years.)

To properly lift and carry a TV, you want to let the TV chassis do the work of supporting the display. Lift from the bottom of the set, supporting it at the side or top corners to keep the TV upright, in the same position it would be in normal use. This is the ideal position for the TV, because the chassis bears all of the weight and pressure. Try not to lean one way or the other, because the thinnest TVs can actually bend under their own weight enough to damage the display.

When laying a TV down flat, lay it screen-side down on a large flat surface that's covered with a clean, soft blanket or carpet. Any stray objects or debris can scratch the screen or bezel, so make sure it's really clean! 

You want a surface that will evenly support the entire flat front of the TV, with no uneven portions that would place additional pressure on any one spot, or that would leave one side of the TV unsupported.

Very carefully set the TV down on its bottom edge and gently lean it forward, lowering it down onto the soft surface, holding both the top corner and the middle of the side so as to evenly support the TV, being careful not to introduce unnecessary twisting or pressure on the panel.

Get the right TV mount

The first thing you'll need to do is select the right wall mount for your TV. This comes down to two major factors: what size bracket your TV will accept, and what style of TV mount will work best for your set and the room it's in. Any of the selections from our best TV mounts list should work for most TVs, but be sure to confirm the details of your own TV and needs via its manufacturer or the manual it shipped with.

Bear in mind that wall mounting a TV may also put it at a different distance from the seating you already have. Make sure that you plan accordingly to put the TV at the appropriate distance for optimal viewing. (Check out our article What size TV should you buy? for more details about viewing distance. )

You'll also want to unbox the mount and familiarize yourself with the product before you start any sort of installation and mounting project. Make sure that you have the necessary screws (both for the wall and for attaching to the TV) and that you understand how the wall bracket and TV mounting plate attach to each other.

Find the perfect TV position

Once you've settled on the right mounting bracket for your TV, you'll need to choose the right location, and position it at the right height. Proper wall positioning is essential when wall-mounting a TV, because your ability to adjust the TV position afterwards will be quite limited, even with an articulated wall mount.

Start by finding the right wall. This will be located in a pretty central location, where the seating in your living room or home theater lets you sit comfortably while watching movies and shows. Be sure that the wall also has access to the necessary power outlets and any cable or satellite connections.

Center the TV at the right height, with the center of the screen more or less at eye level. (This is where it helps to have a second helper that can check the comfort and angle as you and another helper hold the actual TV.) You can note the desired position by marking the lower right or left corner with pencil or masking tape.

Finally, consider the position of the mount in relation to the TV. Some TVs attach mounting brackets in the center of the chassis, while others are offset toward the bottom, so plan accordingly to position your wall mount correctly.

For more helpful positioning tips, check out our helpful guide on mounting your TV: best viewing angle and height.

How to mount a TV to the wall

Once you've got everything you need and have planned out the basics, like where you want to put the TV and understanding how the TV mount is put together, you're ready to mount the TV. It's a pretty simple process, but doing it right will be the difference between an attractively mounted TV and one that may not sit right, or even damages the TV.

(Image credit: Shutterstock/Ungvar)

1. Find the studs

Once you've settled on the perfect spot on the wall, you'll need to find the studs to mount the bracket properly. Mounting your TV wall bracket to the studs provides the structural strength necessary to support a TV that could weigh anywhere between 30 and 100 pounds. Drywall alone will not support this sort of weight, so it's essential that you anchor the TV mount into the studs.

Finding the stud location is as simple as using a cheap stud finder, or using other means to find stud location. Measure the mounting points on the TV while bracket to determine how many studs you need to find. For most, it will be a span of two studs, one for the left and one for the right. Depending on the specifics of your walls and your chosen TV mount, it may need to be a span of three studs. You can mark the location of studs lightly on the wall with a pencil.

(Image credit: Shutterstock/DGLimages)

2. Mark the hole position

Next you'll need to mark specifically where you plan to screw into the wall. Ideally, you will use a level to ensure that these marks are not only even between the two studs, but also to make sure that the amount will not be slanted. You can mark specific locations for the pilot holes on the wall itself in pencil, or, you can tape paper over the intended mounting location, using either a pre-printed template or marking one up on your own.

3. Double check the bracket position

With your marks in place, it's time to position the mounting bracket on the wall. First, place the bracket flat against the wall, lining up one screw location with the first marked hole. Keeping that point firm, pivot the other side of the bracket as needed to line up with the second hole. Use a level to double check that the mount is level when it's aligned with your planned pilot holes.

(Image credit: Shutterstock/Mix Tape)

4. Drill pilot holes

Using a drill, you'll need to drill pilot holes through the drywall and into the studs in the proper positions.

(Image credit: Shutterstock/Monkey Business Images)

5. Mount the wall bracket

Once the pilot holes are drilled, you will use the included mounting screws to secure the wall bracket. Using a power drill, screwdriver or ratchet, put in the wall screws to firmly attach the bracket to the wall, with the screws going into the studs.

Generally speaking, you'll want the screws tight enough to hold the bracket snug against the drywall, with no wiggling or rattling of the mounting plate. If the screws are sinking into the drywall or the bracket is warping in any way, you have overtightened.

With the wall bracket properly placed, you are more than halfway done mounting your TV.

(Image credit: Shutterstock/Ole.CNX)

6. Attach the TV mounting plate

Next you'll attach the mounting plate to the TV. This is the second half of the TV mount, which will attach to the back of the TV, and then connect with the wall bracket to securely hang the TV on the wall. Depending upon the type of mount you are using, the two halves may be attached through a simple clip, a rail system, or even an extendable arm.

Line up the TV mounting plate with the VESA mounting holes on the back of the TV chassis. Using the included screws that should have come with your TV mount, attach the mounting plate to the TV using a screwdriver. 

Be especially careful not to over tighten the screws, which can result in damage to the TV chassis or stripped screw heads, both of which can cause real issues mounting (or later unmounting) the TV. A good rule of thumb is to tighten the screw until it holds the bracket snug against the chassis, and then tighten a quarter turn.

(Image credit: Shutterstock/Naypong Studio)

7. Attach the TV mounting plate to the wall bracket

With both the wall bracket and TV mounting plate securely in place, all that's left is to attach the two. 

Start by lifting the TV to the proper height, or slightly higher than the intended position, so that the TV can be lowered to attach the bracket and plate.

In some instances, this will be a drop-in connector with safety screws that can be tightened after attaching, but others will use attachments that may clip or screw into place. Be sure to consult the instructions that came with the TV mount and use the included hardware to attach the plate to the bracket.

Take care when lifting the TV, with particular attention paid to holding the TV by the outside bezels, and not the glass. Be especially careful not to grab or press on the screen, which can damage the display very easily.

Once the amount is properly attached, you can allow the bracket to support the weight of the TV.

8. Reconnect the TV

All that's left at this point is to reconnect power to the TV and any other devices that might need to be plugged in. Once that's done, you can kick back and enjoy the newly-mounted TV.

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Our favorite TV mounts

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Echogear Full Motion TV Wall Mount EGLF2

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Sanus Advanced Full-Motion Premium TV

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Mounting Dream Tilt TV Wall Mount

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Rocketfish Tilting TV Wall Mount

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Echogear Full Motion TV Wall Mount EGMF2

$49.99

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Peerless-AV Full-Motion TV Wall Mount

$44.52

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Brian Westover is currently Lead Analyst, PCs and Hardware at PCMag. Until recently, however, he was Senior Editor at Tom's Guide, where he led the site's TV coverage for several years, reviewing scores of sets and writing about everything from 8K to HDR to HDMI 2. 1. He also put his computing knowledge to good use by reviewing many PCs and Mac devices, and also led our router and home networking coverage. Prior to joining Tom's Guide, he wrote for TopTenReviews and PCMag.

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How to Wall Mount a TV: A Step-by-Step Guide

Find out what you'll need to hang up your living room TV.

For maximum cool factor and a super clean look for your entertainment center, mounting your flat-panel TV is the way to go. Here’s how to hang that flat-screen TV up on the wall.

Jump to: 

  • What you’ll need
  • How to hang your TV on a wall
  • FAQ

What you’ll need to mount your TV

Before you get started on your TV mount installation, here are a few things you’ll want to have on hand:

  • Stud finder: Unless you want a TV disaster, don’t mount your TV to drywall—make sure you’re mounting to a stud for maximum support. Otherwise you could end up with an expensive mess on your hands.
  • Power drill: You can try to mount the TV with a screwdriver, but you might be at it a while. We highly recommend using a power drill to speed things up for this project.
  • Various drill bits:
    • Carbide-tipped masonry bit: Use this to make pilot holes in the drywall, which you’ll drill your mounting screws into.
    • Phillips head drill bit: This is what you’ll use to drive the mounting screws.
  • Level: Don’t trust your eyes with this one—no one wants to watch crooked TV. Use a level to make sure your newly mounted TV is, well, level. This can help you avoid both a crooked TV and unnecessary holes in your wall.
  • TV mount: Obviously, to mount your TV to your wall, you’ll need a TV mount rated for your model of TV. Check your TV manual for the VESA mount measurements and get a TV mount to match. And if you need help picking a mount, we’ve got you covered! Check out our roundup of the best TV mounts right here.
  • Painters tape (optional): When you find your wall studs, mark them with a little piece of painters tape. This is much easier to see than a pencil mark, and you won’t have to write on your wall—that’s always a bonus in our book.
  • A friend (optional): TVs are big, heavy, and awkward to lift. Unless you’re way more coordinated than we are, trying to hold one steady and line up brackets is a recipe for disaster. Grab a friend for best results.

Don’t forget cable management.

 You don’t want a bunch of cables and TV antennas hanging down from your TV. That’s a good way to ruin the whole sleek aesthetic you were going for in the first place. Fortunately, there are a few options for cable management. 

  • Hide them behind a wall. You can route them through the wall or tie them together neatly and tuck them behind a shelf or other decor.
  • Buy a cover. There are covers you can purchase that match the color of your wall, offering a simple way to hide cables.

Looking for a new TV provider or streaming service?

Check out our Editor’s Choice awards for Best TV Providers and Best Live TV Streaming Services to get the right TV for you and your household.

How to wall mount your TV

If you have everything you need already, great! Let’s get started on the best way to mount your TV on the wall.

  1. Decide where you want to position the TV. Viewing angles are often important for achieving the best picture quality, so consider your location carefully. Moving the TV after the fact is not only extra work, but it’ll also leave useless holes in your wall. If you have a fireplace, mounting your TV above it is a popular spot for mounting since it’s generally a focal point of the room.
  2. Locate the wall studs using a stud finder. Move your stud finder across the wall until it indicates it has found a stud. When it does, mark it with some painters tape so you remember the position.
  3. Mark and drill your pilot holes. These are the small holes that will allow your mounting screws to enter the wall. You’ll probably want a partner for this.
    • Hold the mount up to the wall. Use a level to make sure it’s straight.
    • Using a pencil, make light marks where you’ll drill the holes to attach it to the wall.
    • Attach a masonry bit to your drill, and drill holes where you marked using the mount.
  4. Attach the mounting bracket to the wall. Hold your mount to the wall and drill the mounting screws into the pilot holes you made in the previous step.
  5. Attach the mounting plate to the TV.
    • First, remove the stand from the TV if you haven’t already done so.
    • Locate the mounting plate attachment holes on the back of the TV. These are sometimes covered with plastic or have screws already in them. If so, remove them.
    • Attach the plate to the back of the TV with the included hardware.
  6. Mount your TV to the wall. This is the final step! Grab your partner again, as this can be tricky to do alone.
    • Lift the TV carefully—with your legs, not your back! We don’t want any injuries ruining the fun here.
    • Line the mounting arm or plate on the TV up with the bracket on the wall and connect them following the manufacturer’s instructions. This can vary from one mount to the next, so always read the instructions.
  7. Enjoy your newly mounted TV!

And that’s it! Kick back, relax, and enjoy living the high life with a wall-mounted TV.

How to wall mount a TV FAQ

About the Author
Mike Strayer

Mike Strayer, PhD, has written and edited TV, internet, and tech content across the interwebs for over seven years. As Managing Editor of CableTV.com, he nerds out dissecting labyrinthian channel lineups and sifting through massive on-demand libraries. Off the clock, catch him on his couch deep in The Twilight Zone or wandering Westworld.

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variations, wall-mounted, for car and quad, installation instructions

The shovel is an indispensable tool for every self-respecting gardener, fisherman, hunter, owner of an SUV or a private house. The shovel mount is installed on the car, in the barn, on the terrace - in any convenient place.

Contents

Why shovel mounts are needed

A shovel can become an ax or a cleaver if necessary, but there are often difficulties with its operation. After use, the tool almost always remains dirty and it is not always possible to wash it, especially after digging the car out of the mud. For such cases, as well as for more convenient storage and transportation, a shovel mount is used.

Design features of holders

A distinctive feature of purchased holders is that they can be used to fasten shovels with handles of different diameters. But the price of universal fasteners is often overpriced, and it is not always possible to find such a device in local hardware stores. If you wish and have some skills, you can make fasteners yourself. It consists of two holders with clips on nuts or snap hooks and mounting on bolts, screws or nails.

Types of fasteners

There are several types of fasteners. And they differ in the time it takes to retrieve the tool and reliability. But if the shovel is not mounted on the outside, the choice between them is of no fundamental importance.

Single-arm

Single-arm holder types consist of a base and a hook that is attached to the base. It closes with a bolt and nut. The nut can be made in the form of a lamb. The opening of the single-arm holder is faster than the double-arm holder. Sometimes the shovel is fixed with a slotted prong.

Double-arm

This type of fastener is suitable if the tool is used infrequently and is used only for spades.

It holds in most cases better than a single-horn, consists of a base and a clamp, which is attached to the frame at both ends with bolts or "wings". Making it yourself is easier.

Installation rules

Before installation, you need to consider where and how the holder will be installed, so that later you do not have to redo the fasteners. Slightly less important is it vertically or horizontally fixed. In a car, they are usually installed horizontally. It is worth checking how convenient it will be to use it.

Wall mount

First you need to choose a location. Indoors, it is best to place the fastener horizontally at a height of about 190 cm above the floor in order to take up a minimum of free space on the wall. Outside, it is desirable to install fasteners so that the metal structural elements are not flooded with rain, otherwise corrosion is possible and the fastener bolts will have to be changed.

You can mount the shovel on any suitable, preferably wooden, plane, such as a shed post, garage wall, door, but first of all, you need to evaluate the convenience.

Installation on a car and other equipment

The shovel can be mounted outside or inside the vehicle. In the absence of rails or other means of fastening on the roof of the car, it remains to mount the shovel in the luggage compartment. And it is not at all necessary to keep a full-size shovel in transport. A sapper shovel will always help, although not as effectively as a full-size one, to remove dirt from under the wheels. It can be mounted on an ATV, going on a long hike.

The holders can be attached to the roof rails with bolts and washers. If the fasteners are located in the trunk, you should be prepared for possible damage to the plastic in the luggage compartment.

How to make and install a shovel holder with your own hands

Shovel holders can be created in several ways.

The simplest manufacturing option is from rubber elements: old insulating tubes, bundles. But such fasteners have earned a lot of negative feedback, because some fishermen and hunters have lost an expensive shovel, securing it in this way.

A stronger fix can be made with scaffolding collars or swivel collars. It is necessary to separate them using a hacksaw or grinder, make a hole with a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the bolt for fastening, replace the nut with a lamb. Scaffolding clamps hold the tool firmly, but it is difficult to make holders out of them. In addition, this requires some equipment.

The lamb tends to unwind during the ride due to vibration.

Quality grip is made from standard plumbing clamps. You just need to replace the nuts with lambs. The hole for mounting looks quite decent. Rubber, which is used as a sealant, is another plus in favor of such clamps. They make one of the most reliable, simple and cheap holders.

Thus, fasteners can be made from:

  • rubber elements;
  • scaffolding collars;
  • swivel clamps;
  • plumbing clamps.

If the DIY options are not suitable, to choose the right prefabricated fastener, you should watch the video:

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How to transport an ATV correctly

ATVs are designed for driving on difficult tracks. On their own, they are not able to move along the highway for long distances, because the quadra has a large suspension travel. If you plan to ride away from home, the first thing you need to decide is how to transport the quad bike to the ride location. There are several ways to transport motorcycles. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. When choosing the best option, it is important to consider the distance between the start and end points.

If you need to transport the ATV over a short distance, you can use a private car or use the services of a transport company. But sometimes you have to transport equipment hundreds of kilometers away. In such cases, ATV owners are more likely to opt for the services of professional carriers. It is risky and dangerous to transport bulky cargo on your own.


ATV trailer

Transporting an ATV with a trailer is the best option for those who need to transport equipment over any distance. This is a universal solution that allows you to conveniently transport children's, utility, sports ATVs. But keep in mind that not every trailer will fit. It should be a full-fledged loading platform that allows you to securely fasten the vehicle. The maximum speed of a car with a trailer is 70 km/year, in a built-up area – 60 km/year.

Which trailers are suitable for transporting ATVs?

A trailer for transporting an ATV can be made by hand or purchased ready-made. There are craftsmen who independently make platforms for transporting two ATVs. The work is quite difficult. It is necessary to prepare drawings, sketches, purchase materials. In addition, a homemade trailer must be registered. This will also have to be dealt with.

It is much easier and faster to buy a ready-made trailer. For the transportation of ATVs, platforms of different types are used.

  • Onboard. A multifunctional vehicle can be used for various purposes, including for transporting an ATV. The trailer with sides perfectly copes with such tasks as transporting building materials, potatoes from the cottage, etc.
  • Platform. The trailer is a flat platform on wheels. It is convenient for the transportation of motor vehicles, but is not suitable for use in other purposes.
  • For ATVs. This category includes the most reliable and practical designs for transporting ATVs. They are equipped with everything necessary for a strong attachment of motor vehicles.

When choosing a trailer, consider the distance over which you will need to transport equipment, the design features of the ATV, as well as your financial capabilities.

ATV trailer mount

To transport a vehicle from one place to another on a trailer, you first need to secure the ATV. Driving safety depends on this. Fixation with belts for wheels, the seat is not reliable. For proper fastening, you will need two ratchet straps. The work should be done in the following sequence:

  • pass the tie strap through the frame from the front;
  • hook the strap onto the weight loops;
  • tighten the straps so that the ATV "squats" and the suspension does not play;
  • repeat the same steps for the rear of the vehicle.

This method is reliable and convenient, allows you to carefully drive an ATV for any distance. Such fixation will not harm the winch or the seat. The wheels do not slip, motor vehicles do not shake the trailer while driving. If the ATV is not fixed or fixed incorrectly, this can lead to a deterioration in its performance, damage to important components and mechanisms.


Transportation of an ATV by private transport

Do you have a private car? Why not use it to transport an ATV? A light model (sedan, station wagon, hatchback, etc.) is not suitable for this purpose, since the dimensions of the cargo are quite impressive. Motorcycles simply will not fit in the luggage compartment of such cars. You can transport ATVs in minibuses and pickups. First, the vehicle must be loaded, secured in the body, check the reliability of fixation.

Motorcycle tow truck

There are plenty of companies in Russia that provide cargo transportation services. Transport firms, evacuation services, even private individuals – there is one to choose from. In certain cases, their services are beneficial to the client. ATVs are transported on tow trucks, semi-trucks and cargo vans. When seeking help from the evacuation service, certain nuances should be taken into account.

  • Price. Transportation of motorcycles within the city is inexpensive. But if you need to transport an ATV over long distances, get ready to pay a lot.
  • Specialization of the company. Tow trucks are used to perform different tasks. Just yesterday, logs or building materials could be transported on its platform, and today your expensive quad bike. Make sure that the platform is equipped with all the necessary devices to ensure safe movement.
  • No guarantees. Carriers operate, as a rule, under a license. When contacting such companies, the client himself is responsible for the integrity and safety of his property. If a tow truck with an ATV gets into an accident or your motorcycle is exposed to other factors, do not rely on damages.

For one-time transportation over a short distance, a tow truck can be used. But if you have to transport vehicles hundreds of kilometers away, it is better to give preference to another method.

Services of transport companies

A very good solution is to contact a company that deals with cargo transportation. This option is relevant if you bought equipment in another city, and it makes no sense to drive a personal car after it. Such organizations have their own fleet of vehicles. The machine is selected depending on the dimensions of the ATV. For transportation of motor vehicles can be used:

  • tractors;
  • containers;
  • vans;
  • railway wagons;
  • trucks;
  • vehicles for transporting cars, etc.

The choice of a transport company also needs to be approached carefully. A reliable contractor is ready to take on all obligations related to the delivery of motorcycles. Such organizations operate under an agreement that specifies the terms of cooperation, prices, terms, responsibilities of the parties, etc.

Another advantage of using a transport company is turnkey work. Specialists work out routes in detail, select a platform for a specific model of motor vehicles, notify the user about the movement of cargo.


Transporting an ATV out of the country

No documents are required for the transportation of motorcycles in Russia. It is only important to prove that the ATV is yours. Take with you the contract of sale or donation for this. No insurance or license required. If you are importing a vehicle from abroad or exporting it outside the country, check if the ATV is equipped with license plates. A certificate of registration is also required.

Conclusion

So, we have considered the most common ways of transporting ATVs over short and long distances. For transportation of motorcycles, you can use: