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Topic: Rolock Bolts (Read 1001 times) previous topic - next topic

Rolock Bolts

I have had to remove quite a few roloc bolts from my supporting walls in order to reinforce the battery box area.
Some of these are in pretty bad shape,they have all come out but I think using new hardware would be better if even I can reuse the old ones. Where can i source new bolts? Internet search for roloc,rowloc,etc have come up empty. Is there another name for these fasteners?
91 GV U300 Unihome 40' Build 3811
6V92TA Detroit

Re: Rolock Bolts

Reply #2 –
If the Roloks (grade 8 bolts) have degraded, I would be MUCH more concerned about the condition of the 1/8" or less (depends on which beams you are talking about) walls of the box beams into which the Rolocks are threaded.  The box beams are much easier to degrade to the point where they have insufficient structural integrity.

Hopefully Don will chime in-- he has "been there, done that".
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Rolock Bolts

Reply #3 –
Thanks DJ and Brett. These are in the walls between the bays. I have quite a bit of cancer. For now I am making a reinforcement for what is still there,This is going to hopefully buy me some time to decide and plan a permanent solution. I called foretravel and bought 12 new bolts the supplier only sells 1000 at a time.
91 GV U300 Unihome 40' Build 3811
6V92TA Detroit

Re: Rolock Bolts

Reply #4 –
Stump,
I bought my Roloks from Foretravel. When I called them originally, I was quoted a price of $.69ea and ordered 40 of them. I got a call back the next day from Mike Grimes and the price had gone up... way up! Here is a link to a topic I posted on that surprise.
Rolok Shock!
Anyway, I ended up using through bolts on the vertical fasteners that hold the basement framing to the compartment walls. This involve drilling inch and a quarter holes in the vertical compartment walls, making a ¼" thick rectangular washer to keep from crushing the tubing.
Here is a link to a post on what I did for fastening the basement to the vertical compartment walls.
Basement fastener updates...
To summarize, the roloks are good fasteners, given their ability to roll their own threads with a 9/32" pilot hole and I replaced all of the front bulkhead Roloks with the new ones I bought from Foretravel. You can use a regular 5/16" by 18 threads per inch fastener in the the holes that once held Rolok bolts, provided the original hole was reasonably perpendicular and the hole hasn't been stripped by over tightening or damaged by rust. But what I found is that once removed and reinstalled a couple of times in this thin (18 gauge) tubing, it generally won't hold the required torque to create enough clamping force to give me the warm fuzzies...
Don
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Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Rolock Bolts

Reply #5 –
Stump's saga with his battery floor has me concerned.

I'm planning to replace 2 8D batteries weighing approx 300 lbs with 4 Trojan L16H tall batteries that will have a combined weight of approx 500 lbs. I don't see any evidence of sagging in my battery bay floor when looking at the bottom of the coach under the batteries.

Do you think I should be OK...?  Or should I run some extra Roloks or through bolts?
Peter and Tammy Fleming
1991 U300 GV 40 - Sold, owned for 4 years
Downsized to Roadtrek Popular 210 class B

Re: Rolock Bolts

Reply #6 –
Stump

I would really like to see pics of your battery floor structure, if you have any you can post. Our coaches are very similar.
Or can you email pics...?
Peter and Tammy Fleming
1991 U300 GV 40 - Sold, owned for 4 years
Downsized to Roadtrek Popular 210 class B

Re: Rolock Bolts

Reply #7 –
Here is what I found
91 GV U300 Unihome 40' Build 3811
6V92TA Detroit

Re: Rolock Bolts

Reply #8 –
More Pics
91 GV U300 Unihome 40' Build 3811
6V92TA Detroit

Re: Rolock Bolts

Reply #9 –
Well, that pretty much answers my question! Before adding 200 lbs to the battery box, I will be opening up the floor to inspect, and probably add additional cross beams and Roloks.
Thanks, Stump!
Peter and Tammy Fleming
1991 U300 GV 40 - Sold, owned for 4 years
Downsized to Roadtrek Popular 210 class B

Re: Rolock Bolts

Reply #10 –
Assuming you don't have the corrosion issues shown in Stump's pictures, you might consider getting a ¼" or so aluminum plate and cut to fit between the walls. This could be attached to the vertical walls with some 1.5"X1.5" angle iron, with through bolts. The aluminum plate would act to distribute the weight across the horizontal framing underneath, and the angle stock will reinforce the connection of the basement flooring to vertical walls (which bear the weight of the basement structure, except at the front and rear bulkheads).
Just a though...
Don
Quote from: prfleming –
Well, that pretty much answers my question! Before adding 200 lbs to the battery box, I will be opening up the floor to inspect, and probably add additional cross beams and Roloks.
Thanks, Stump!
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Rolock Bolts

Reply #11 –
When I got mine opened up the battery support frame was shot. I box tube it all out and the back side box tube had lots of rust. also the front box tube and into each corner is rotted. I am wrapping all the box tube on one side with angle iron and flat stock on the other on the side to spread the load surface.On the inside I am going to have angle iron with the edge in so I have a lip for the new  battery framework to sit on. It will be bolted and welded as needed to provide support. I know I am going to need to open up the bottom to find where it all ends if it does, But thats not happening right now. Vacation plans have been in place for Sturgis for months and no time for a project of this magnatude right now.So repair and strengthen whats there for now and we'll check the rest later on.
If it splits in half on vacation theres always a For Sale sign and a u haul place nearby.
91 GV U300 Unihome 40' Build 3811
6V92TA Detroit