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hanging or attaching accessories

May 23, 2019, 11:57:45 am

Good morning everyone,
I'd like to thank all of you for sharing your knowledge with me as I learn about Foretravel Motorcoaches.

My question today is how do you know where to mount, attach or hang items inside or outside the coach?
Where are the "studs" you would look for in a house to hang heavy items? How do you know where to mount something on the roof?
What are the exterior window awnings attached to? how about a Girard awning?
Is there somewhere where I can see what the skeleton or framing of this coach looks like?

thanks again

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Re: hanging or attaching accessories

Reply #1 – May 23, 2019, 12:15:31 pm

If you can take the factory tour,it would help and research bulkheads here lots of info.

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Reply #2 – May 23, 2019, 12:55:16 pm

This photo shows the sidewall skeletal structure. When you prepare to mount something you can run a magnet along the fiberglass surface to determine a solid mounting point.
jor

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Reply #3 – May 23, 2019, 01:04:27 pm

Use a magnet to locate the structural members.

And, as jor posted, easy to see on the outside, particularly on a dewy morning.

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Reply #4 – May 23, 2019, 02:48:22 pm

Interior has  some kind of lexan or luan cover? I have snapped screws trying to drill them in.. Not sure what it is but it is strong.. That was with light replacements on the interior... I typically do not like making holes anywhere especially on the exterior.. I use vhb tape for almost everything I can.. I have a fetish for not making holes..

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Reply #5 – May 23, 2019, 03:37:56 pm

A strong rare earth magnet will find the steel structure in the sidewalls and basement bulkheads.  Use a higher end stud finder for locating aluminum structure in the roof.  You can get a roof structure plan (that also shows wiring) for your specific coach from FT.  Call James Triana.  It might take some begging but I got one.

Side awnings are sometimes but most of the time not mounted to a structural piece.  The upper part of your patio awning, a Girard awning and the slide awning is attaches to the aluminum structure between the roof and the side walls.

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Reply #6 – May 23, 2019, 03:39:48 pm

I am aware that you asked about "heavy" items. For some of these and all lighter items, 3M command stick on attachments work nicely. I had many pictures, towel hangers, soap and accessory dishes, tooth brush holders, clothes hooks, etc attached with these. I still do.

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Reply #7 – May 23, 2019, 03:45:51 pm

Most any one you buy will already have the mentioned awnings.

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Reply #8 – May 23, 2019, 03:55:26 pm

If cold weather is at hand, get up early in the morning and go out to the coach shortly after daybreak. Climb the ladder (wipe the steps dry as you go up) and you will see the grid of the frame structure laid out by the frost lines. This was how I located the ribs to drill for installing threaded inserts to attach my solar panels.

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Reply #9 – May 27, 2019, 01:25:55 pm

I use command strips and vhb tape for many chores.

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