Many electronics retailers offer delivery services, but some consumers turn them down to save money. However, that mindset may backfire if you just bought a 55-inch TV. Smaller items, such as microwaves and toasters, are unlikely to present a challenge.
Large flatscreen TVs are a different matter because they consume a lot of space. Can the 55-inch TV fit in your vehicle?
| CAR MODEL | Can 55-Inch TV Fit |
| TOYOTA CAMRY | YES |
| TOYOTA COROLLA | YES |
| NISSAN ALTIMA | YES |
| HONDA CIVIC | YES |
| HONDA ACCORD | YES |
| FORD FUSION | YES |
| GOLF | YES |
| JEEP WRANGLER | YES |
This video from Edward-in-TX shows a 55-inch TV sitting comfortably in a Sedan Genesis. In this particular situation, the vehicle’s seats do not fold, and yet it can still accommodate a 55-inch TV without cracking the screen or warping the shell.
This video from Captain Spandex Plays raises questions because it shows a TV laying flat in the trunk of a Toyota Corolla. On the one hand, the TV fits in the vehicle. The owner folded the rear seats to make more room.
But that doesn’t change the outcome. He successfully drove the 55-inch TV home. On the other hand, he only succeeded by laying the device flat, which is dangerous because it can harm the TV.
What does this tell you? You can’t base your decision on other people’s experiences. You must assess your situation objectively and the unique challenges you will encounter to determine whether a 55-inch TV will fit in your car. That means taking the following variables into account:
1). Car Size
What is the size of the vehicle’s interior? A conventional 55-inch TV is 48.4 inches (width), 28.1 inches (height), and 54.6 inches (Diagonal). The ‘55 inches’ descriptor doesn’t tell you anything because it refers to the screen’s diagonal measurements.
According to WePC, the TV’s actual width must include the display’s border. This is why a TV’s exact dimensions matter. If you know the vehicle’s dimensions, you can determine whether they exceed the TV’s dimensions.
2). TV Size
As you now realize, ‘55 inches’ is not the TV’s actual size. The measurement doesn’t reveal the height, width, or breadth. Keep in mind that some retailers sell CRT TVs with 55-inch screens. A CRT TV with a 55-inch screen is too wide and heavy. It won’t fit in smaller vehicles.
3). Car Configuration
Some vehicles are not designed to accommodate large objects. They have too many obstacles. For example, some trucks have extra seats behind the backseats. Even if you fold them out of the way, they take up too much space to permit a TV to stand upright.
4). Box or No Box
Modern TVs are slim enough to slip into the backseat and to stand upright. But that is only true for bare TVs. 55-inch TVs in boxes are bulky. They require more space, which makes the box inconvenient.
However, the box protects the TV. Discarding it puts the TV at risk. You’re better off keeping the box and renting a larger car.
5). Passengers
The more passengers you have, the more difficult it becomes to fit a 55-inch TV in a car. Naturally, this is not a problem if the TV fits in the trunk without compelling you to fold the rear seats. However, if you prefer to keep the device in the backseat, you won’t succeed unless you ask your passengers to walk home.
Collin Woodard from Jalopnik posted a picture of a 55-inch TV in the back of a Lexus LS 500. As you can see, the TV consumes too much space. You can’t expect the device to stand on the laps of your passengers.
6). Local Laws
You’re probably wondering how the law affects your ability to fit a 55-inch TV in a car. Here’s the thing. You can force a 55-inch TV into the backseat area of numerous passenger vehicles. But doing so will block the rearview mirror.
Peter McLaren-Kennedy from Euroweekly News filed a report in 2022 revealing that blocking the rearview mirror can get you fined in Spain. However, those regulations don’t apply to vehicles, such as SUVs and hatchbacks, that don’t have a separate boot.
You can also get around this law if your vehicle has a camera that provides an unobstructed view of the road behind. Check your local regulations before blocking your rearview mirror with a 55-inch TV.
How To Measure My Car’s Interior For Transporting A 55-inch TV?
- Measure the door sill height. This tells you whether or not the TV (and its box) can fit through the car doorway.
- You should also measure the door’s opening angle. Some cars have a decent door sill height, but the door doesn’t open wide enough to permit the TV to pass. The Research Institute for Disabled Consumers has published pictures showing drivers how to measure the door sill height and door opening angle with a protractor.
- Use a tape measure to determine the distance between the floor and the ceiling. This shows you the interior’s height.
- Do the same for the width. Find the distance from left to right at the widest point in the backseat area.
- Don’t forget to measure the distance from front to back (between the backseat and the front seat).
- If you prefer to keep the TV in the trunk, measure the distance between the floor and the highest point.
Is It Better To Lay A 55-inch TV Flat Or Keep It Upright During Car Transport?
You can lay a TV flat. People do this all the time. However, that doesn’t make it a good idea. ShmokinLoud, from this Reddit Post, kept their TV flat while transporting it from the store. When they got home, they noticed a horrible vertical line on the display. It compelled them to get a replacement.
There’s a reason why manuals encourage consumers to keep their 55-inch TVs upright. Manufacturers don’t expect a 55-inch screen to support its own weight. Laying the TV flat for a few minutes is fine.
Problems only arise when you keep the TV in that position for an extended period during a long journey. The screen may crack. If a 55-inch TV cannot fit in your car while upright, you should find alternative delivery options.
Are There Any Risks Of Damaging A TV When Transporting It In A Car?
You have three significant concerns:
- Laying the TV flat can crack or warp the screen.
- Other objects in the vicinity can bump against the TV as the car staggers over humps and through potholes. If you’re transporting the TV without a box, it may sustain significant damage because of those bumps.
- High temperatures on a hot day will harm the TV during long journeys.
Tips For Safely Transporting A 55-inch TV In A Car
- Keep the TV upright.
- Use the seatbelt in the backseat to secure the TV.
- Use straps in the trunk to keep the TV from bouncing all over the place.
- Keep the TV in the original box.
- If you can’t find the original box, wrap the TV in a blanket and bubble wrap.
- Don’t place objects on the TV, especially if you’ve decided to lay it flat.
- Don’t squeeze the TV into small spaces in the backseat or trunk. The last thing you want is for the screen to crack and the bezel to warp because you exerted too much pressure on the TV.
- Drive carefully. Avoid rough terrain.
- If your car is too small, borrow a larger vehicle.
- Use a professional delivery service.
- Take advantage of the retailer’s delivery services. Many retailers deliver TVs for free.
What’s The Ideal Angle To Fit A 55-inch TV In A Car?
There’s no ideal angle for fitting a TV in a car. Your primary objective is to keep the device upright. 55-inch TVs are designed to sit on the bottom edge. Any angle that allows the TV to sit on the bottom edge is permissible.
‘Upright’ doesn’t mean keeping the TV straight. In fact, the ceilings in many vehicles are too low for a TV to stand straight. Consumers typically resort to leaning these devices at a 45-degree angle to fit them in the backseat.
If you think certain angles are too dangerous because of your TV’s weight, consult the manufacturer. They will guide you accordingly.
What Precautions Should I Take When Loading And Unloading 55-inch TV?
- Place the TV in the original factory-sealed packaging or a durable box.
- Use durable containers if you anticipate a long journey through rugged terrain.
- Use bubble wrap to cushion the TV from the shocks it will encounter on the road.
- Use high-quality packing tape to seal the TV’s packaging.
- If the box has empty spaces, fill them with packing material.
- Park the car in a location free of obstructions. You don’t want to trip while carrying the TV to the vehicle.
- You can organize the other items in the car in a way that protects the TV from impact points. The other items can act as buffers.
- Use sturdy straps to secure the TV.
- Don’t place heavy items on top or around the TV.
- When unloading the TV, carry the device with your leg muscles. Keep your back straight. Get help if the TV is too heavy for you.