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02-01-2025, 09:11 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Dunes City, Or.
Posts: 523
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Loose screws in fiberglass
The 50 amp female connector is attached to the trailer with 4 screws in the fiberglass, no backing or support. The screws no longer hold the 50 amp receptacle in place. What is the best way to reattach the receptacle, larger screws through the existing screw holes using plastic anchors? Putting in a backing so the screws had something to bite into would be the best option but I would have to disconnect the connector and I would rather avoid doing that.
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2017 Cardinal 3250 5th wheel
2016 Ram 3500 Crew Cab long bed with Aisin Transmission
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02-02-2025, 04:03 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2023
Posts: 357
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1010
Putting in a backing so the screws had something to bite into would be the best option but I would have to disconnect the connector and I would rather avoid doing that.
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That was my first thought. And as painful as it might be, you can fix it right or revisit the same issue later. Epoxies and patchwork are just band-aid fixes and band-aids aren't permanent.
You can take a bunch of pictures and visit a couple of auto and preferably boat body shops and see if they have any simpler, permanent, solutions.
Good luck
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'22 Newmar Dutch Star (Freightliner)
'20 Jeep Wrangler JL
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02-02-2025, 04:50 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: MI
Posts: 2,674
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Backing doesn't have to be a single piece, it can be as simple as fender washers. Machine screws with nylock nuts should stay tight for a long time.
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02-02-2025, 08:23 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,679
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Argosy
Backing doesn't have to be a single piece, it can be as simple as fender washers. Machine screws with nylock nuts should stay tight for a long time.
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Or use a piece of 1/8 or 1/4 inch aluminum plate with a hole cut into it the same size original hole. Then cut a slot in the plate wide enough to go over the wires and slide it in place. This will give you a large, reinforced area.
__________________
2018 KZ 270thle 2015 Silverado.
2012 GL1800
Western PA
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02-02-2025, 08:31 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,003
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If it was me i would get some flatbar aluminum or steel. Drill and tap it and then epoxy it to the back side of your sheeting. You should not have to disconnect anything this way and it will never fail again.
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02-02-2025, 10:08 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,564
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Screws are slow speed mills
With all the vibration inherent to a traveling RV, screws are slow speed mills. They just keep on removing material over time. The suggestions to use a backing plate and through bolt the assembly with locking fasteners reflect a great approach. That is, if there is access to the back side.
If there is not access available, Nut-serts or similar thread replacement products may be your best approach.
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Travel Safe and with a Smile! Pat
2020 Tiffin Breeze 33BR
2022 Cherokee Trailhawk toad
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02-02-2025, 01:55 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,679
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PKI
With all the vibration inherent to a traveling RV, screws are slow speed mills. They just keep on removing material over time. The suggestions to use a backing plate and through bolt the assembly with locking fasteners reflect a great approach. That is, if there is access to the back side.
If there is not access available, Nut-serts or similar thread replacement products may be your best approach.
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The problem with traditional nutserts , is they put a lot of pressure on the plastic and may crack it.
There are special rivnuts for plastic called plusnuts
https://www.rivetnutusa.com/plusnut-rivet-nut-rivnut/
https://www.amazon.com/Multi-Grip-In...1zcF9hdGY&th=1
__________________
2018 KZ 270thle 2015 Silverado.
2012 GL1800
Western PA
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02-02-2025, 02:45 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Wilmington,NC USA
Posts: 2,015
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1010
The 50 amp female connector is attached to the trailer with 4 screws in the fiberglass, no backing or support. The screws no longer hold the 50 amp receptacle in place. What is the best way to reattach the receptacle, larger screws through the existing screw holes using plastic anchors? Putting in a backing so the screws had something to bite into would be the best option but I would have to disconnect the connector and I would rather avoid doing that.
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Make a horseshoe shape a backer like this. It will likely only engage 3 machine screws with nuts. but will 3 hold it in place.
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2019 Forest River Sunseeker 2850
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02-02-2025, 08:21 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Dunes City, Or.
Posts: 523
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I really appreciate all of you taking the time to address my question. Terrific helpful answers that even I can understand. I have my homework to do as your answers are all applicable and would work. Hopefully I can use the existing holes. Thanks again.
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2017 Cardinal 3250 5th wheel
2016 Ram 3500 Crew Cab long bed with Aisin Transmission
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02-02-2025, 08:27 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Dunes City, Or.
Posts: 523
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I forgot to mention the backing is the fiberglass rear cap. I like the simplistic of the Plusnut Fastner or the River Nut if I can find the correct size.
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2017 Cardinal 3250 5th wheel
2016 Ram 3500 Crew Cab long bed with Aisin Transmission
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02-03-2025, 06:54 AM
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#11
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Community Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Full timing
Posts: 8,123
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1010
I forgot to mention the backing is the fiberglass rear cap. I like the simplistic of the Plusnut Fastner or the River Nut if I can find the correct size.
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Is there an access panel on the inside wall behind the furniture? If not, you may be able to go thru the underbelly covering to gain access to the plug.
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2018 Road Warrior 427
2013 Can Am Spyder RT Limited
2017 Ram 3500 w/Aisin w/4:10
2 Dachshunds DJ (RIP 9-12-19) & Joey (RIP 5-14-21)
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02-03-2025, 07:37 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Kamloops, BC, 60 miles from the Center of the Universe according to the Rinpoche, of the SF monks.
Posts: 8,194
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Look at "banana" pop rivets. Excellent for what you need.
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Happy Glamping, Norman & Elna. 2008 Winnebago Adventurer 38J, W24, dozens of small thirsty ponies. Retired after 40 years wrenching on trucks! 2010 Ford Ranger toad with bicycles or KLR 650 in the back. Easy to spot an RVer, they always walk around with a screwdriver or wrench in one hand!
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02-03-2025, 09:37 AM
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2024
Posts: 228
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Speed nuts is what I used to hold the fenders on my Montana "Legacy Edition"
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02-04-2025, 02:59 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 838
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Argosy
Backing doesn't have to be a single piece, it can be as simple as fender washers. Machine screws with nylock nuts should stay tight for a long time.
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I would go with this if there is room for the larger washers.
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2018 Tracer 255RB
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