Alternative to Ram Mount?

[ericjkelly]

Hey guys!

Anyone have a good alternative to the ram mount? Just looking for maybe a less expensive laptop mount!

Got any ideas???

 

[Joshua Nall]

My truck has a bench seat up front and I've used two that I have made out of wood. This last one I've been using for 3 years and it is ideal, stays in the truck all the time with my laptop on it and swivels back and forth.... keep it covered most of the time. it is braced in the front and then secured with the middle seat belt. A console up front would be harder to work around... might take it out. Someone with more time than money and a little bit of skill can make something that works.

If you search laptop stand or laptop mount, I know there have been other suggestions for alternatives and those who have made their own using different materials.

 

[Matt Tottle]

I made one out of some black pipe fittings and a scrap of wood for about $15.. It is attached via a pipe flange bolted to the floor, and it has a "union" fitting to allow for quick removal..

However, this kind of rigid mount will transfer all of the shock of bumps into the laptop - and that kind of shock can kill a standard hard drive if you hit one of those nasty ruts that leaves your ass stinging.. I have an SSD drive so its not an issue for me, but if you have a regular 'spinning platter' drive it's something to consider.

 

[ericjkelly]

Hey thanks for the advice.

I dont mind buying a decent one, just wondering if there are good ones for $100 or so

 

[Patrick Martin]

It pays to watch e-bay for RAM mounts (other than the ones sold by retailers) that come up for auction from time to time. Last week I scored a RAM full universal kit with swing arm and tray. The seller listed is as new, was not forthcoming with a ton of info, but I went ahead. Was the first and only bidder for $50! Just about jumped for joy when I got the shipment and opened the box to find everything was still completely factory sealed, and the seller forgot they had also purchased the optional screen support which was included along with the original purchase invoice from Jan 2010. I've got a dedicated RAM for my vehicle, but needed a universal for a rental for chasecation this year. Had been watching for a couple months and being patient saved me about $150!

 

[John J. Holt]

I have my laptop setting on my radio stack and then a webbed ratchet strap holds the laptop in place. It works good for my application because my truck is small and I am limited on space.

 

[Roger Brown]

I just got my RAM mount for $175 off of ebay, all new in box. I saved $50-$75 over most retail sites that carried it. It was easy to install and works great so far. I did have 4 missing bolts that I need to call them about though. I just went to Home Depot and got the bolts/nuts/washers for less than $3 and it's working fine.

 

[Dan Robinson]

I've had a Jotto since 2004, and can say that money spent on a good desk will pay dividends for many, many years. I tried some improvised setups before that, but none really worked well when it counted. A good quality desk is worth the money if you're chasing a lot.

 

[Justin Wilcox]

Heres what I used last year. Please dont judge me lol.

For the base I used 2x6's for a frame. Then I cut a piece of 3/4" plywood to fit my front floorboard near perfect. I layed the cut 2x6's down first then screwed the 3/4" ply to it in the vehicle. Next I mounted a flag pole holder. For the stand itself I went to Goodwill and picked up a nice steel speaker stand for cheap. I cut the bottom off of it and jammed it in the pole holder, then filled what I could with some JB Weld. The speaker stand I used had a screw hole in the top of the pole. I purchase a piece of small channel iron from the scrap yard, drill a hole in it for the screw, then a couple more to bolt an aluminum laptop mount to it. The thing swiveled, telescoped, and angled. I feel it was pretty sturdy and didn't cost me no more than $30 total.

Since then I was lucky and found a Jeniko mount at Goodwill for $15. The thing was practically brand new. You would be surprised what you can find at your local thrift stores.

 

[James Hilger]

Jotto gives me a discount and is about a mile from me but by the time you pay for shipping I'm not sure you'd save much.