Ladder is coming loose

[roadtraveler]

Originally Posted by chrisgoforth

I just noticed that almost all of the screws that hold the ladder to the body are stripped and coming out. The ones at the top and bottom appear fine but the others are about to come out. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to fix this?

I drilled mine clear through on my exterior ladder and used small bolts and nuts that lock when you tighten them. I used black but eventually will go to stainless.

[chrisgoforth]

Originally Posted by roadtraveler

I drilled mine clear through on my exterior ladder and used small bolts and nuts that lock when you tighten them. I used black but eventually will go to stainless.

The ones that are stripped are the ones that attach to the body so I can't get to the backside to attach nuts. I am planning on doing this for the screws that hold the ladder to the mounts.

[wildtoad]

Thanks for this thread. Reading it prompted me to check mine. Most if not all of the screws holding the ladder to the mounts were loose. I'm still amazed how many little things seem to not be as they should. But then what else would I do with my spare time but fiddle with the RV.

[SSTraveler]

I would use brass inserts from Lowes, https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hillman-2-C...k-Nuts/3012573. They come in various sizes and you can screw 2 in together end to end. Drill the neccessary size hole for the brass insert. Then pre-screw the size machine screw/bolt your using into the corresponding brass insert, put ome wood glue on the outside of the screw insert, and use that machine screw/bolt to run the brass insert into the hole. Remove the machine screw/bolt, let insert dry and the screw ladder back into coach.

[chrisgoforth]

Originally Posted by SSTraveler

I would use brass inserts from Lowes, https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hillman-2-C...k-Nuts/3012573. They come in various sizes and you can screw 2 in together end to end. Drill the neccessary size hole for the brass insert. Then pre-screw the size machine screw/bolt your using into the corresponding brass insert, put ome wood glue on the outside of the screw insert, and use that machine screw/bolt to run the brass insert into the hole. Remove the machine screw/bolt, let insert dry and the screw ladder back into coach.

I like this idea. Any idea how thick the exterior walls are? I'm familiar with body construction on cars but not on RV's. Is this more than just a piece of sheet metal or fiberglass? Just wondering how much there is for the glue to bind to.

[cruzbill]

There should be a wood backer block in the trailer wall to support the ladder. If there isn't you are dealing with a layer of fiberglass and luan, <1/8" total. Toothpicks and glue is the simple fix.

["007"]

Just so you will know when they have the rear cap built they embed wood blocks, 2x4, into the fiberglass cap.