Top 5 Features to Look For In a Caravan TV
Installing a television in your caravan is an ingenious way to stay in touch with the rest of the world as you enjoy fantastic road trip moments. Depending on the television’s make, you may also watch pre-recorded shows, play online games, and even access various caravan troubleshooting articles on the internet.
But as you might expect, no two caravan televisions are identical. So, proper research is necessary before purchasing the right TV set for your travel trailer.
We’ve done the legwork for you and put together the top five features to consider in the best caravan TV.
1. Size
The ideal size of a caravan television depends on the van’s dimensions.
Most touring caravans are 6 meters long (around 20 feet). However, it’s not unusual to find a travel trailer that’s considerably shorter or longer than six feet.
When it comes to televisions, 24”, 32″, 43″, 55″, and 65″ are the most popular sizes. There are equally smaller and larger models, depending on individual preferences.
One best practice when shopping for the right caravan TV is to measure the intended installation space and pick a television set that’s a few inches smaller. If you’re in doubt, start with a 24” TV. These television sets are remarkably small and lightweight, allowing them to easily move within a confined space.
However, note that a 24” TV is generally suitable for indoor entertainment. If you’re looking for a caravan TV that you can quickly dismount and watch outside, choose at least a 43” set.
2. Resolution
Resolution denotes the number of pixels that make up a picture on television. The higher the resolution, the clearer and sharper the images appear.
Most televisions have a 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution, which implies that each picture contains 1920 horizontal pixels and 1080 vertical pixels. Such televisions are more popularly known as 1080p Full HD TVs.
To avoid squinting your eyes when enjoying your favorite Netflix series, insist on a caravan television with higher pixels. You could aim for a 2560 x 1440 (or the 1440p) TV if you think the 1080p models fall short.
However, perhaps we should point out that resolution makes more sense with larger television sizes. That means 1080p and 1440p TVs may have insignificant differences if they’re 24.”
Therefore, you can strike a balance between size and image clarity to pick a caravan TV that suits your needs.
3. Rechargeable vs. Non-rechargeable Battery-operated TVs
One of the most thrilling parts of caravanning is spending days off the grid. However, that means being detached from convenient amenities like electricity supply. It’s also where the dilemma of rechargeable and non-rechargeable televisions comes in.
Non-rechargeable TVs rely exclusively on electricity. Such gadgets will only function with sufficient power in your travel trailer’s mains system.
If you plan to travel off the beaten path, a rechargeable television would suit you best. Many rechargeable TVs come with an inbuilt or external battery and a cord for plugging them directly into electrical outlets.
Regarding inbuilt versus external batteries, the choice depends on compatibility, reliability, and eco-friendliness.
Internal batteries provide guaranteed compatibility with the provided charging cables. They’re also more eco-friendly due to their longevity. However, swapping internal batteries can prove challenging due to difficulties finding a compatible replacement. Besides, you’ll often contend with downtimes while recharging the battery.
4. Power Draw
Whether you opt for a rechargeable or non-rechargeable caravan television, it’s important to understand its power draw before adding it to your travel trailer.
240V mains systems, the standard electrical power supply for residential homes, may safely power heavy-duty caravan appliances like refrigerators and kettles. But these systems only work if your caravan is connected to an external power source.
12V systems (which most caravan batteries are based on) are built exclusively for low-wattage gadgets like televisions and hairdryers.
Fortunately, modern televisions draw between 50 and 200 watts, while 12V batteries produce around 3,600 watts. That means a single caravan battery can power your TV for hours if it’s the only connected device.
5. Viewing Angle
Unlike house televisions typically mounted on permanent spots, caravan TVs may need to be moved from one location to another, depending on the needs. You could whisk the TV to a kitchen counter to catch up on the news while doing the dishes or have it by the bedside table to watch an episode of your favorite series.
Therefore, you want a television with a dynamic viewing angle.
The viewing angle denotes the maximum angle at which you can make out the images on a television screen before the colors begin to fade away. Watching TV from perspectives other than directly in front is particularly important.
A good caravan television should maintain image clarity and contrast up to 40 degrees from the right or left.
The Bottom Line
Needs and preferences change, especially when it comes to holidaying. Because you might eventually fall out of love with your current caravan television, it’s important to think of the day after.
Don’t be too extravagant when shopping for a caravan television unless you won’t mind reselling it for a tiny fraction of the initial purchase price. Besides, do not install the TV permanently on your travel trailer.
In fact, it’s recommended to dismount your caravan television and store it safely when not vacationing. This prolongs the van’s durability by preventing undue damage due to environmental factors like rust and moisture.