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sjkted · 02-06-2011, 07:48 PM

Hello All,

The skylight on my Fleetwood Southwind cracked and started letting rain in, so I bought a replacement. It looked like a pretty straightforward install, so I opted for DIY. It came with some slotted screws that seemed a bit longer than the originals. The majority of them went in ok, but there's about 4 or 5 that I can't seem to get into the original hole or don't seem to tighten when inserted into the original hole. I've tried putting in self-inserting screws that should screw directly into wood, but I can't keep the slotted ones on the drill and the phillips ones strip pretty quickly even with me slowing the drill as much as possible. My next idea was to predrill a hole, but I wanted to post this one first. Anyone else have this problem or a solution? The coach has a rubber roof if it matters.

Thanks,

sjkted

Wanabee FTer · 02-06-2011, 07:56 PM

I would throw out the slotted screws and get the correct size phillips screws first.
If you use a drill to pre-drill the hole, make sure it is much smaller then the screw. Just enough to allow the screw to get started.

JimM68 · 02-06-2011, 08:09 PM

Yup. Go to a good (ACE) hardware store and get thecorrect diameter and length STAINLESS STEEL phillips (or allen) head screws.
Goop the skylight down with some rtv, screw it down tight, then cover all around the edges and over and past the screws with some eterna bond tape.

JDooley · 02-07-2011, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimM68

Yup. Go to a good (ACE) hardware store and get thecorrect diameter and length STAINLESS STEEL phillips (or allen) head screws.
Goop the skylight down with some rtv, screw it down tight, then cover all around the edges and over and past the screws with some eterna bond tape.

I would but square drive stainless screws and predrill starter holes

RVhauler · 02-07-2011, 09:17 PM

Use caution in how tight you run the screws in or can break the Plexiglas. Snug tight is all/

justimagination · 02-07-2011, 11:12 PM

....The original Hex screws with phillips slot, are 3/8 nut size, just a shade over 1" in length, which makes it much easier to install with a small 1/4 inch socket and ratchet, @ least that's what my Southwind has in the Hallway skylight. Good luck,
David G.