How to Hang Pictures in Your RV

An easy way to personalize an RV and make it feel like home is to hang pictures or artwork on the walls. Care must be taken to protect both the wall and the pictures from the strain of travel.

Protecting the Walls

RV walls are made of thin paneling. The choice of fastener must grip the paneling without ripping it. It must also not be so long as to pierce through the outer shell of the RV! Finally, it is important that the item does not swing freely as the friction will damage both the picture and the wall.

Choices of Fasteners

There are three types of fasteners that can most effectively secure pictures and artwork to RV walls. If combined, they can hold large and heavy pieces.

3M Command Hanging Strips (TM)

This product is the first choice to consider since it does not damage the wall surface as it can be removed cleanly. Be sure to follow the instructions for maximum adhesion and use the recommended number of strips for the weight of the article to be hung.

Industrial Strength Velcro®

This heavy duty material is similar to 3M Command Hanging Strips, but must be considered a permanent installation as it will pull off the vinyl covering the RV wall paneling. It is best suited for hanging very heavy items.

Thick, Short Screws

Thick screws about an inch in length with a large head will grip the paneling securely and provide a place from which to hang a picture. For added security, use a 3M Command Hanging Strip or a piece of industrial strength Velcro® on the bottom of the item. Screws are preferable to hooks since they allow the artwork to be more flush to the wall, making it possible to use a sticky fastener as well.

Preparing the Walls and Pictures for Hanging

Wash the walls with rubbing alcohol to remove grease and wax to ensure that the hanging strips or Velcro® will stick.

Apply the sticky fastener to the picture, but do not remove the wax strip covering the side that will be stuck to the wall. Position the artwork where you want it, ensuring that it is centered and level. Lightly mark the corners of the artwork with a pencil. Since you will only get one chance to stick the picture to the wall, it is also a good idea to make a mark along the edges of the sticky fastener to provide even more location information.

If you are using a screw, make sure the artwork is centered on it before removing the final wax strips and pressing down firmly.

With proper care, it is possible to hang any sort of picture in an RV that can be hung in a house. Using sticky fasteners and screws will protect both your RV walls and the pictures, turning a factory-decorated space into a personalized one.