About 8 feet of paneling coming loose above storage area. It has pulled out about an inch in places. Some screws pulled completely out. I am thinking I should clean the surface with maybe a scraper of some sort add some adhesive of some sort use a size larger screw and put back together using clamps to hold in place. I have noticed in certain areas other screws have moved out maybe a quarter inch or so. Imagine this might be a common problem with a unit like mine which would require a tightening of screws on occasion. I would appreciate other comments. I am not sure my way is the best or sure way.
Thanks in advance
We have an 86 GV... can you upload photos... our storage areas are mounted right up to the ceiling ... not sure the location of your paneling issue ... shifting down ? Pulling away ?
If the panels you are referring to are where the outside wall attaches then I had the same problem. I removed the screws a section at a time (2ft) and replaced the screws. Where the 1 ins screws still bit into the wood I put in 11/2 ins and 2 ins for the ones with no bite, I dipped the screws in wood glue as they were installed. I believe the problem is caused by running the screws into the coach floor into the side of the plywood rather than through it's face.
Mick
Hope that makes sense to you ?
Thanks old English. Sorry I am unable to send pictures presently. The side of the motor home is pulling out and away, not down on the drivers side from the body immeadetly above my outside storage area. I believe I will just get one size above present size screws. I will dip them in some good wood glue with some clamps. The screws are in the 2 inch wide strip that is holding the panel to the side of the motorhome
Thanks. Your post made complete sense thanks
Must be the age and all that vibration etc on an older unit. So it looks like a fairly common problem. People with older units like mine should check there screws for tightness. Once it gets away from you it becomes problematical. Wished I had caught it sooner. I was looking at the side in a picture and I could see where there was a shadow where it had pulled out some, that's how I found it.
I have to confess that I was boondocking near Ventura shortly after I got the coach and looking for something to fix when I found loose screws. After I had found enough of them to know I had a problem, it was off to the hardware store. Watch out for the screws that go into steel in 2 or 3 places ! nearest to the front wheel comes to mind and back by the engine bay can't be more specific as it was 2012.
I believe the cause of the problem is running the screws into the laminations of the plywood floor, this will separate the plywood and a line of them ?
IMHO
Sure hope you used stainless screws!! Otherwise you will see rust after awhile. I also used the stainless screen shown in the attached picture. Seems the wood around the old screws must decay from all the moisture/condensation that gets in the holes, plus the vibration from the coach going down the road.
See the attached photo of our interior. Are you talking about the section of paneling behind the sofa under the storage areas ?? This paneling is pulling away from the side wall of your coach ??? And the line of screws is where ?
Thanks for any additional info you can provide. We just want to start paying attention to areas of concern from other forum members with coaches of similar age.... the more we know.. the more we can prevent. Thanks
Subsilked. The screws I am talking about are the screws that hold the strip that is directly above my storage areas. Problem runs about 8 ft in length. This strip goes the length of my motor home. Probably on your 86 as well. Screws are about 8 inches apart. You should have no prob finding them. Good luck
This is outside your coach?
I think he's talking about the beltline.
I have posted a few times over the last few years about checking these trim strip screws etc. It should be every 6 months that you check them for holding power, or fix it then.
JohnH
Yes the problem is outside the coach
I have the pic. Playing around trying to send it but unsucessful.
Had the same issue. I used a 1/4" drill bit to drill 2" deep holes thru the trim piece into the wood floor. Then epoxied (2) 1/4" x 1" fluted dowel rods in the hole and let setup overnight. I then drilled a 3/32" hole in the dowel rods and used 2" stainless screws to pull the belt line tight. This also tighten up my bay doors as the coach side of the hinge is right behind the belt line trim. I was a little worried that the 1/4" hole wouldn't leave enough metal in the trim for the screw head to bite against but so far no problems. If any pull thru I can always go to #10 screws. I only did this when a 2" screw wouldn't bite.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/General-Tools-1-4-in-Wood-Doweling-Kit-841014/205585492
STAINLESS STEEL OVAL HEAD PHILLIPS SHEET METAL SCREWS 8 x 2" 18-8 60 PCS.... (http://www.ebay.com/itm/STAINLESS-STEEL-OVAL-HEAD-PHILLIPS-SHEET-METAL-SCREWS-8-x-2-18-8-60-PCS-NEW/113620192191?hash=item1a744a8bbf:g:di0AAOSw0TBcWwEI)
see ya
ken
Thank you.. thought this was inside as you said paneling.... our mid 80's coaches are floor to ceiling wood paneling and i could not figure out the 8 foot " pulling away ".
Thanks
Ken. Thanks for your extra explanation and your how too. Great stuff. Really interesting to see others have had this prob. I had no idea until I got some responses but it makes sense with the model yr, wear and tear vibration etc. Discussion did get others to start looking and that is what we want helping others.
I used wood glue and an oversized tooth pic with stainless screws. About 20,000 miles and nothing loose yet. 🤞
Ken. Thanks for your extra explanation and your how too. Great stuff. Really interesting to see others have had this prob. I had no idea until I got some responses but it makes sense with the model yr, wear and tear vibration etc. Discussion did get others to start looking and that is what we want helping others.