Looking at Ram Mount for Xterra, advice?

[H2O_Doc]

I'm looking for a laptop mount to go in my Xterra (08). I'm thinking of going with a Ram Mount. Anyone have good or bad experiences? Other models I consider.

Thanks much.

 

[kcowyo]

I've been using the No-Drill Ram Mount, like this one over the last year or so -

I like it ok. Works fine on paved roads, shakes too much (for my tastes) on a dirt road, especially with washboards. Even with the screen support, I still prefer to leave the screen down until I'm at a stopping point.

The Tough Tray is a SOB, IMO, to place the laptop onto and remove the laptop from. The clamps also make it a PITA to access the disk drive.

But I do like the additional equipment that's available with it, like the screen support and the quick disconnect. The base that bolts to the seat brackets stays in the truck permanently. The telescoping pole and tray only come along when needed.

No complaints regarding leg room from my primary adult and child passengers. YMMV....

 

[TheRoadie]

Same here. I love my RAM mount, but I'm using it with a 3 pound Motion Computing M1400 tablet. The Tough Tray was overkill (bigger than the PC) and I ended up making a custom holder. If you end up with the RAM mount bracketry and the arms, I could give you a screaming deal on the Tough Tray.

A very light weight laptop should work, but I think tablets are the way to go offroad. With the massive variety of balls and arms available in the RAM universe, you might even be able to come up with a three point mount using dashboard-located balls that would stop the vibration. Actually, fixing the PC well to the dashboard would stop the relative vibration, but might transfer enough jiggling to reduce the life of the hard drive.

 

[1leglance]

just a quick post since I leave for 5000 miles in a couple of days...
www.jeniko.com
I love my drill thru mount, others have used the universal seat bolt with a various success...I think the drill thru is more stable, plus for the $50 price who can beat it..
it is thin which is nice for space
has held a heavy toshiba toughbook no trouble
I cut the side arm so I could swing it around from center to passenger
search laptop mount here and look for my post
running it almost every weekend for a year and love it

 

[spunky2268]

RAM Mount

All,

Is the seat bolt pattern the same on the 2008 as the 2002? I'm guessing, based on RAM's website, that I need the POD III.

Spunky

 

[DBS311]

The POD III is universal, so you could make it fit either a 2002 or a 2008. I have the POD III for my Land Cruiser and it's going into my Xterra for my trip next week.

 

[firemansxterra]

check http://thenewx.org
there are some pretty good computer mount links over there...

 

[mcm4090]

I'm looking for a laptop mount to go in my Xterra (08). I'm thinking of going with a Ram Mount. Anyone have good or bad experiences? Other models I consider.

Thanks much.

Have you thought about mounting to the passenger seat when it is folded flat?