Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 17, 2025 ...

Grab Bar

November 20, 2022, 03:57:25 pm

I had to remove the grab bar (twice) in order to get old and new fridge in.
First time I went to reinstall it, I went through original hole but hit metal and snapped a screw.
Ended up using two out of the three.
Today, I tried to reinstall, but couldn't get a good "bite" on the substrata.
I decided to remove the vinyl trim to see what I was up against. I removed snapped screw.
There are a bunch of wires alongside the door jamb.

It seems the screws just go into the paneling??!!???
The old holes are pretty chewed up. I'm thinking( always dangerous) of gluing some backing on the paneling where the screws go.
I KNOW that anyone who used the door to remove a fridge has encountered this.
Any great ideas!!??? I'm not certain my "fix" will work
Thanks

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Re: Grab Bar

Reply #1 – November 20, 2022, 09:57:51 pm

Why don't you drill them out and fill hole in with a dowel then drill pilot hole for screw.

Home Depot sells a product made of thin metal that you cut to size and insert in stripped hole. It helps the screw get a good bite again

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Re: Grab Bar

Reply #2 – November 21, 2022, 08:29:57 am

Glenn, one thing we did do when we removed the grab handle, was to zip tie the wires to keep from running a screw into them.  Tape would work in a pinch, but I was surprised when we found wires just laying in there.  Good suggestions on drilling out and inserting a dowel for repair holes.  Wife really depends on those handles to assist in getting in and out of the coach! 

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Re: Grab Bar

Reply #3 – November 21, 2022, 08:49:29 am

Here is "Mr Grip" for threaded hole repair.

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Re: Grab Bar

Reply #4 – November 21, 2022, 09:16:12 am

I think you can use a rivnut on that.  I've used it on fiberglass with good results.  Just get the correct reach. 

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