Laptop Mount in 2009 DBL Cab

Some of you have used the Ram Laptop mount in your Tacomas. I want to use one for mounting up amateur radio gear.

My question is how much does that Ram laptop mount impede passenger comfort ?

Not to worried about the seat location but more about ones legs.

If the passenger always has to ride with their legs unaturally shifted to the right a bit to clear the mount, then fatigue for them would sit in quicker than not having the mount.

Thanks for any insight you can provide.

 

I guess no one knows the answer to my question.

 

Maybe rig one of these up...

Looks easy enough to fab, not sure of how sturdy it would be or how much weight it might hold. It would at least free up the front of the seat more than the RAM mount. All though, looking at Google images of the mount you want to use, it doesn't look like it takes up too much room. Looks like if your passenger is not too tall, they could slide the seat far enough forward to not really notice the base of the mount.

Looks like you'd have to take your equipment down and leave just the base intact for any kind of passenger comfort.

(^^4-runner, but pretty much the same as tacoma)

Just searching on RAM mounts yields a lot of negative reviews as far as build quality/material selection vs. the cost...

 

That is Ghetto-Fabulous!!!

 

Here is how he did it...http://www.mdpub.com/laptoptray/index.html

 

I was not angry with the group. I have seen a number of postings using the RAM mount and hoped someone would chime in about passenger space.

I have asked my co workers, WSP patrolmen and one mentioned there was no passenger leg room in their cruisers. Unfortunetly i don't get to be around the cruisers to check it out for my self.

I work for a Federal project called HIDTA, google it if your interested.

I'll drop a note to Ram and see what the return requirements if I don't like the fit.

THANKS to all that have replied. I had seen the plumbing version its not for me, need something more stable.

 

I have a Jotto Desk in my 2005 Tacoma.




Works great!!

I has a base that bolts to the front seat track bolts on the passenger side. Super easy install and the mount is solid.

G

 

Gadget@URD,

Does your passenger seat have leg room? I am most concerned a passenger will have to shift to the right with their legs to ride along in the front seat.

The way these vehicles are built anymore there is no place to install things like two way radios. Almost wish I had got a contractor version, one with no console and rubber floor mats.

If I could make it look like it was not a hack job, I would get rid of the front cup holders and install the control heads in that space

 

Seeing who you work for and the equipment you are installing, my interest is piqued as to what your tacoma is being used for...

Undercover civilian patrol?
Communications/radio support?
None of my business?

 

I do use my truck on the job but only to get from one point to another. The radio equipment in there is all Amateur "HAM" Radio. I live in a little condo so my truck becomes my station. Since Washington State is fairly large having the radio gear along can make a boring drive fun. A few weeks ago I was chatting with another ham who was in the Washington, DC area while I was driving about in Seattle and then tuned to another frequency on the 20 meter band and ended up chatting with a ham in alaska waiting on a mountain top to get some sunset photos. great fun for me anyway.

I have a gooseneck seat bolt mount in there now with the control heads mounted on top using a piece of ABS to hold them. Then I made a mounting stand off for the gooseneck and attached it to the center counsole using Bron "Killer Red" double stick tape, whick is very good tape. Just desire something a bit more stable.

 

I see. Good luck finding something that will suit your needs! HAM could be fun...

 

It really depends on what kind of laptop you are using Gary...

As someone who has 4 RAM mounts in my truck (A-Pillar, Rear View mirror, Cup holder and Seat bracket) I can tell you that the seat mount may not be the best solution for you.

In regards to leg room for the passenger - depends on how tall your passenger is and if you add the quick release to the mount (I have that installed so I can remove the whole unit if need be except for the female mounting plate). How tall is the passenger - ie. does the seat need to be slid all the back?

Paul

 

Paul,
I believe Gary is mounting amateur (HAM) radio equipment, not a laptop...

 

Yes, a passenger can sit in the seat, but it is not the best setup for that.

The upper part of the mount comes right out in about 15 seconds. Just unscrew on knob and it comes right off and you can put it in the back.

G

 

Well don't i feel !

 

+1 on that for the model that attaches to the seat rails, not particularly comfortable for bigger people!

Depending on how big the unit is (and how heavy) you can use the RAM-A-Can instead. I use that for both an iPad and a separate touch screen display that I sometimes you with a laptop...

Paul

 

pjo,

Thanks for the input.

I had one of those " can " mounts they one that fits into a cup holder from RAM. Its worked on until my passenger moved it out of the way. Found out is was a solid aluminum bar. It was held into the plastic using knurling on that aluminum. It came loose used some Gorilla glue, all I had available to glue it back into the cup holder attachemnt it lasted for another month or so.

I am only mounting control heads for my amateur radio gear but with 3 of them currently they do add up to some weight, not as much as a laptop does however. I dropped a note to ram this morning to see what their return policy is if the mount does not work well in my truck.

Right now I am using a Lido Floor Mount, it a single goose neck but supporting it is a problem, the 3 control heads are too much weight. http://www.lidomounts.com/catalog/item/1478816/4979410.htm

 

I found the same problem with the RAM goosenecks as well - too much weight and they shake like a sun-of-a-gun whenever you hit a slight bump.

The floor mount is not too bad, but i definitely wouldn't put it in there without the quick release to move it out of the way, see the RAM-VB-REM1 for what I mean.

If you want I can take a picture on Friday of what it looks like in my truck

 

pjo, A photo would be great. I wote to RAM and the refered me to one of their dealers where the owner is a ham. Mounting Innovations

I sent a couple of photos to him but have not heard back. May have to call them.