Most new RVs have built-in outdoor TVs. Did your RV come with one or did you add one on? If so, how often do you watch it outside?
Outdoor TVs can be a lot of fun—gather the family or friends for a sports game or award show, or even curl up with a cozy blanket by the campfire and watch a movie with your special someone. On the other hand, though, if you’re in a crowded campground, outdoor TVs can be a real pain. If that’s not your sports team, or if you hate award shows, you probably don’t want to listen to your neighbor’s TV.
Some RVers say the outdoor TV is one of their favorite features, especially when tailgating or hosting a group of friends. Others admit they rarely turn it on, since the whole point of camping for them is to escape screens and enjoy the outdoors. Where do you land on that spectrum?
It’s also worth thinking about campground etiquette. A TV playing at a reasonable volume during the day might be perfectly fine, but late at night or blasting across campsites can quickly make enemies out of neighbors. Have you ever had to deal with someone else’s noisy outdoor TV?
And then there’s the weather factor. If you’re in a spot where the evenings cool down fast, watching outside can be pretty comfortable. But if bugs swarm your screen or rain clouds start rolling in, suddenly the “fun outdoor theater” doesn’t feel quite as magical. Do you find yourself using yours often, or does it mostly stay turned off?
After you vote, please leave a comment with your answer(s). Thanks!
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RVDT2735
Once in a while I might turn on the evening news when I’m grilling outside. I keep the volume VERY low and stand just a few feet from it so it won’t bother anyone else. Never watched it at all this year.
Our last two used Newmars had/have the outdoor TV, but I wouldn’t option one in and pay extra if custom ordering one new.
I barely watch TV at home, occasionally in the RV on bad weather days. The only time we have used the outside TV was when we were parked in my sister’s driveway and the young niece and nephew thought it was cool to be able to sit outside and watch a movie.
Aaron
I don’t have an outdoor TV and would not have any need for one. We never use the one in the bedroom and seldom use the one in the main part of the coach. Other than local weather, I would not even turn the TV on. A lot of the State and National parks we stay at don’t even have a TV station that we can receive.
We have a nice TV on the Class A, but we have never used it. Too buggy outside during the evening, so it probably will remain unused.
Like Mikal, I might turn it on to catch the news while grilling or take in a game but not too often.
The glare from outside light usually makes watching it difficult and keeping the volume down so those around us (and inside) are not bothered also adds difficulty. The space might be better served housing a spice rack for grilling….
I don’t even have an indoor TV in my camper.
It kind of defeats the purpose of “getting away from it all,” eh?
It’s extremely irritating to have your neighbor’s TV blaring six feet away on a nice day when you want the windows open!
We only watch the tv in the main living area. Our motorhome came with 3 tvs inside and one outside. To us that is a waste as we don’t watch tv in bed and usually only watch a DVD on the tv.
Took mine out. Use the space for mor storage BBQ utensils paper towels gloves etc
I use mine as an outdoor fire! Most campsites do not have fire pits and carrying wood is discouraged. Not to mention the nasty smoke in the air. I’ve seen campers light the traditional campfire when its 80+ degrees outside sit beside it for less than 5 minutes because it’s too hot. Then abandon the fire and go inside to their air conditioned RV to cool off and let it burn out???
Thanks to ROKU (fireplace channel) and or my Christmas fireplace DVD, I can sit out side in comfort with a glowing fire on my TV complete with crackling sound. There’s no smoke to offend people and when its time to go in, just the push of a button turns it off.
It gets used when tailgating or when we’re at an event, such as a car show where a bunch of us sit around after the show ends for the day. This is especially true when staying at fairgrounds. There’s a lot more room outside for sitting.
We removed it because we never watched it and wanted more storage space.
Thank you for the question, RV Travel! We certainly watch during college football season and when we are at a campground, or tailgating at a game. Otherwise, not much. Have a great week and safe travels!