Pop up buckle needs new screws but...

[MrT61]

Our pop up roof buckles down on all four corners when “closed”. The two buckles on the “door” side have newer/larger screws in the side of the top. The two on the other side are loose and cannot be tightened and are rusting, letting water in. What material is behind the surface on a pop up “lid”? Would a 1/2”, larger screw hold and not penetrate into the interior of the lid?

[Desert Flyer]

If it has already been replaced and “wobbly” then I would use a larger and longer bolt and go thru the entire roof. Put a steel plate on the inside. Apply silicon sealant to the bolt and bolt hole before tightening it down to prevent water infiltration. The big secret to these corner “buckles” is to NOT use lever action of it to pull down the top. You can pull out these latches. What you need to do is apply your body weight through your arm and pull down the top while you secure the latch/buckle.

[MikenDebbie]

It depends what on what kind of camper you have. I had 2 Coleman’s that had the vertical perimeter of the roof was backed up with plywood. I think most pop up roofs are similar. I also had a Coleman with the infamous ABS roofs and of course the vertical perimeter of the roof was the ABS sandwich material.

[MrT61]

Thanks for the info and suggestions everyone.