If you’ve never owned a 65-inch TV, you’re unlikely to appreciate the challenges associated with fitting the product in a conventional vehicle. A 65-inch Q90 Samsung TV is 57.1 inches (width), 36.3 inches (height), and 11.2 inches (depth). It also weighs 34.9kg.
| CAR MODEL | CAN 65-INCH TV FIT? |
| NISSAN MAXIMA | POSSIBLY |
| HONDA CIVIC | BARELY |
| DODGE CHARGER | UNLIKELY |
| TRUCK | YES |
| TOYOTA COROLLA | UNLIKELY |
| TOYOTA CAMRY | POSSIBLY (NO BOX) |
| JEEP WRANGLER | YES |
| HONDA CRV | YES |
| NISSAN ROGUE | YES |
| FORD ESCAPE | YES |
Look at Roy Y. Chan’s video. It shows a 65-inch LG UHD LCD 4K TV in the back of a Chevrolet Malibu LT. Even after Roy folds the seats, the TV consumes every inch of available space in the trunk and back seat.
Don’t forget that retailers discourage consumers from laying their TVs flat. In other words, Roy is doing the wrong thing. But he has no choice because the TV won’t fit in his car if it stands upright.
Usually, 55 inches is the highest you can go when driving a TV home in a car. You’re pushing the limit by forcing a 65-inch TV into your vehicle. The following will determine whether or not you succeed:
1). The TV’s Dimensions
A 65-inch TV is not 65 inches. That figure refers to the screen size. It doesn’t say anything about the width or height. The height is particularly important because it determines whether the TV will stand upright in your car or lie flat.
2). The TV Box
Like the TV, the box is not 65 inches long. It can easily add thirty or more inches to the TV. This creates a dilemma for some consumers. They want to take advantage of the TV’s slim design by throwing the box away and placing the TV in the backseat.
However, the box keeps the TV safe. Without the box or the protective material inside, the screen may crack after one or more collisions with the objects in the vicinity. You can wrap a naked TV in a blanket, but that will only add to the amount of space it consumes.
3). The Storage Options
The retailer wants you to keep the TV upright in a car, but they won’t tell you how to store it. For instance, some people strap the device to the roof. This option is convenient because even the smallest cars have roofs capable of accommodating a 65-inch TV.
Unfortunately, the practice is dangerous because it exposes the TV to hazardous elements. You can stand the TV in the backseat or the trunk without closing the door. This happens when the TV is too long.
Consumers take this approach with lumber all the time. You see pieces of wood sticking out of the windows or the back. But this option may violate traffic rules.
4). The Luggage
How much luggage is the car holding? The more luggage you have in the car, the more difficult it becomes to find room for a 65-inch TV.
5). The Car Model
You will have an easier time fitting a 65-inch TV in a pick-up truck than in a hatchback. Measure the interior of your vehicle beforehand. The measurements at the back or in the trunk should exceed the TV’s dimensions. Otherwise, look for alternative delivery options.
How To Measure My Car’s Interior For Transporting A 65-Inch TV?
- Get measuring tape.
- Find the width of the trunk or the backseat. Perform these measurements at the widest points. The width of the interior should exceed the TV’s width.
- Find the distance between the floor and the ceiling. Again, make sure the TV’s height is less than the car interior’s height.
- Measure the doorway. The size of the doorway and the angle at which the door opens will determine whether or not the TV can even enter the vehicle. Some vehicle interiors are wide enough, but the door opens at an awkward angle that prevents large objects from passing.
- Keep the shape of the TV in mind. It may present a more significant challenge than the car’s interior measurements.
Take the travel distance into account. Your first objective is to stand the TV upright, which is why you measure the height. If the ceiling is too low, you can lay the TV flat for short journeys. Long journeys are a problem because the TV is more likely to incur damage along the way.
Is It Better To Lay A 65-inch TV Flat Or Keep It Upright During Car Transport?
Keep the TV upright. Have you read the instructions in the manual? They emphasize this issue. Have you looked inside the box? Manufacturers include foam at the edges because they expect consumers to keep the TV upright and to hold it along the edges.
An upright TV will distribute the weight along the edges. Laying the device flat leads to bending damage because the screen cannot hold its own weight. Some consumers have noticed pixel damage after keeping their 65-inch TV flat for several hours during long journals.
Others complain about vertical lines, sagging, and cracks. The terrain makes a significant difference. Bumpy roads expose the TV to destructive shocks. You can protect the TV by driving carefully. But even then, you cannot eliminate the risk.
Sir Wheat Thins, from this Reddit Post, works for Best Buy. He notes that Best Buy employees are prohibited from helping consumers who decide to lay their TVs flat in a car. Additionally, don’t expect a refund or a replacement after returning a TV if Best Buy employees see you laying it flat.
They will make a copy of the receipt before you leave and also note that they saw you mishandling their product. This speaks volumes about the dangers of laying a TV on its side.
Are There Any Risks Of Damaging A TV When Transporting It In A Car?
Yes, there are. There’s a reason why many consumers hire professionals to transport their 65-inch TVs from the store. Anyone who prefers to drive their TV home faces the following challenges:
- If you strap a 65-inch TV to the roof, it may fall off and break. It can also get wet if you come across an unexpected thunderstorm.
- A TV sticking out of the trunk or the backseat can bump into other cars or objects on the roadside, breaking in the process.
- Squeezing a 65-inch TV between solid objects in a car can bend and crack the screen.
- Those solid objects can knock against the TV when you traverse rough terrain, doing irreversible harm.
- If you forget to strap the TV down, it will bounce all over the place, which tends to crack the screen.
Tips For Safely Transporting A 65-inch TV In A Car?
- Protect the TV. Keep it in the original box or bubble wrap.
- Strap the TV down with the seatbelt or bungee cords.
- Don’t place heavy objects on the TV. In fact, don’t exert pressure of any sort on the screen.
- Keep the TV upright. If you have too much space in the trunk, use straps to keep the TV upright.
- Don’t strap the TV to the rooftop.
- Drive slowly, especially on bumpy roads.
Can I Transport A TV Without The Original Packaging In My Car?
- You can, but the practice is discouraged. The original box is designed to protect the TV, which is why it includes foam.
- If you don’t have the original box, find a replacement. Look for a heavy-duty box. Moving companies sell boxes with durable exteriors. Find one that fits the TV’s size.
- If the box is too large, push clothing, blankets, and foam into the empty spaces. You don’t want the TV to bounce around inside a massive box. Some people use styrofoam peanuts and bubble wrap.
- Seal the box with packing tape.
- Add a dust cover if the TV is naked (no box).
- Wrap the TV in a blanket. Ensure the blanket is free of buttons, zippers, or other objects that may scratch the screen. Ropes or packing tape will keep the blanket in place.
- You can apply bubble wrap instead of a blanket.
What To Do If A 65-inch TV Doesn’t Fit In My Car?
- Borrow a larger car from a friend.
- Hire a professional delivery firm.
- Pay the retailer’s delivery fee. Let them deliver the TV to your home.
What’s The Ideal Angle To Fit A 65-inch TV In The Car?
TV Tech Insider recommends 45 degrees. This allows the TV to slide through the vehicle’s doorway. It will also stand while leaning against the back seats or the walls of the trunk.
Can I Transport A TV Inside The Car With Other Belongings?
Yes, you can. Other belongings are beneficial for smaller TVs because they hold them in place. If you don’t have straps, extra luggage will keep the TV in a standing position. 65-inch TVs don’t need help staying upright in most cars. They take up too much space.
Therefore, you should focus on keeping the extra belongings out of the way. Don’t place heavy objects on the TV.
What Precautions Should I Take When Loading And Unloading A 65-inch TV From A Car?
- Keep the TV in the original box.
- Disconnect the cables and cords if you want to move an old TV. Place them in a separate bag.
- Tilt the TV at a 45-degree angle to slide the device through the car’s opening.
- Keep the TV upright where possible or at an angle that keeps the TV on its bottom edge.
- If you have a large truck, place the TV between large items, such as mattresses and bookshelves.
- When you arrive at your destination, park in a location with plenty of room. You don’t want to trip or bump into obstacles while carrying a 65-inch TV.
- Ask for assistance if you need help carrying the TV.
- Carry the TV with your knees, not your back.
Are There Any Restrictions On Transporting TVs In Cars Based On Local Regulations?
- According to the State of Washington’s Department of Ecology, traveling with an unsecured load is illegal. Most American states have a similar law. Therefore, if you fail to secure a TV on your car’s rooftop adequately, traffic cops may penalize you.
- If the TV is sticking out of the car, it shouldn’t obscure the lights or number plate.
- Traffic officers may stop you if a TV protruding from a car door or window threatens other drivers and passersby.
- Traffic officers can penalize drivers if the 65-inch TV in the backseat blocks the rearview mirror.