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Topic: Side molding trim screws  (Read 794 times) previous topic - next topic

Side molding trim screws

I am reinstalling my lower side cargo door trim molding on my 91 GV. I am having to drill new holes in the new metal I welded in. I need some new screws so I went and bought some at hardware store. The problem is they strip out the heads as they try and go in.. The originals go right in no problem. I looked at the original abd and it looks to be  #8 12  . I bought some 10 12 but they are too big. The New #8 have too many threads and jam up and strip. I am needing #8" 12 threads screws any ideas on this. Like I said original go right in new holes perfect.
In picture original is in the center new #8 is on left but too many threads. #10 on right has same thread count but is too big and head diameter is larger.
Any ideas? Seems like another one of Foretravel outsourced misfits like the Isuzu taillights....
91 GV U300 Unihome 40' Build 3811
6V92TA Detroit

Re: Side molding trim screws

Reply #1 –
I used #8 x 2" stainless bought on ebay for my trim. I wanted the 2 inch since it's just biting into edge grain plywood. I did predrill for the 2". I'm surprised the screw would bind and "strip off the heads" into plywood. Any chance the hole in the new metal you put in are not big enough to allow the screw to turn freely.

Hope we are talking about the same thing. Pic of the trim you are talking about might help.

see ya
ken
The selected media item is not currently available.ken & dori hathaway & Big Agnes
🍺1992 U300 GrandVilla WTBI #4150 FOT FBP 2011
✨6V-92TA DDEC Parlor Coach 350HP Series 92
🏁2011 Nissan XTerra Pro-4X

Re: Side molding trim screws

Reply #2 –
Use a vernier calipers and measure the minor diameter of the new screws you are trying to use. Compare size to the old screws you took out. If same then I would "chase" the threads with a homemade chaser until you can screw in the new screws. (Homemade means weld a few of the new bolts onto some bar stock pieces and screw in & out a few times)
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Side molding trim screws

Reply #3 –
Are you pre drilling a pilot hole? Using the same hole? What are you using to screw them in? Are they stainless steel or zinc?
'99 U320 40 WTFE
Build #5462,
1500 Watts Solar 600 amp Victron lithium
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi
Instagram bobfnbw
Retired

Re: Side molding trim screws

Reply #4 –
Stump,
I switched to machine screws where there was new metal.  I had the same issue. 
I used a self centering drill bit:  http://www.homedepot.com/p/Bosch-1-4-in-Steel-Clic-Change-Self-Centering-Drill-Bit-Set-3-Piece-CC2430/205391771
and then tapped each hole.  I think I used 8-32 flat head screws.
John Fitzgerald
1991 U300 (SAI) Side Aisle Island Bed 40'
Detroit 6V92 with Allison Retarder
Meridian (Boise), Idaho

Re: Side molding trim screws

Reply #5 –
John.
 Tapping the hole, what a great idea. Sounds good on paper anyhow.
 I wish I'd thought of trying that before I redid our beltrail.

 This forum never stops educating me.
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: Side molding trim screws

Reply #6 –
A wee bit of RTV on the new screws will slow the rusting of the rail .

Re: Side molding trim screws

Reply #7 –
I have tried (and used)chucking the next size stainless screw in my electric drill and then sanding down--on the underside of the screw head--using my 1" belt sander. Screw head then fits flush like old screws but cuts larger thread hole so should last as long as the coach now. Telltale is the phillips head slot goes out to the outside diameter,
I have even converted some spare new screws so they act as "self-tapping " screws, bu using a 4-1/2" grinder and cutting a shallow slot parallel to the axis of the screw. I then "cut" the new thread size with my "screw-tap" into the beltline of the coach. You would never know the screws had been replaced with this method if I wasn't too lazy to paint the screw heads.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Side molding trim screws

Reply #8 –
I have yet to paint my stainless replacements either.  Thought I would hole punch some blue tape as to only paint the screw head. Just need to get a round toit.
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: Side molding trim screws

Reply #9 –
Just run the screws into a piece of cardboard.  Insert as deeply as you want.  The cardboard holds them firmly while you spray them.

Can to any number you want at one time.
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: Side molding trim screws

Reply #10 –
Problem is the paint comes off the first time you torque on the screw drive slot.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Side molding trim screws

Reply #11 –
I glass bead the screw heads before painting, it helps the paint not come off as easily.
Chris
1999 U 320 DGFE
Build Number 5523
Chris & Elka Lang
In the field, Lonoke AR

Re: Side molding trim screws

Reply #12 –

If you are going into metal try thread cutting screws (you need to drill a starter hole)
410 Stainless Steel Thread Cutting Screw, Plain Finish, 82 Degree Flat Head,...

Or self drilling screws
Amazon.com: #10 X 1'' Stainless Flat Head Phillips Self Drilling Wood Screw,...

For 1/8 in wall tubing you will need a bigger pilot hole for sheet metal screws.

Stainless steel screws are not very tough.  Use a steel sheet metal screw of the same size to form the threads and then replace it with a stainless screw.  Some lube helps too

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Side molding trim screws

Reply #13 –
When I stripped the roof to paint it, I replaced all the screws up there and on the sides of the coach also. Stainless is cheap and I like the look. I used both oval and pan head screws with stainless washers under the pan heads. No paint on any of the screws. After sandblasting my entry step, I tapped and installed stainless machine screws in the step after it was primed and painted.

Sheet Metal Screws Oval Head Phillips Drive #10 x 1" Stainless Steel Qty 250...

18-8 Stainless Steel Flat Washer #10 ID x 0.500 OD , Qty 250 pcs Pack | eBay

Sheet Metal Screws Pan Head Phillips Drive #10 x 1" Stainless Steel Qty 250...

#12 Self Drilling Sheet Metal Screws TEK Tap Pan Head Stainless Steel All...
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Side molding trim screws

Reply #14 –
I have sold building materials and hardware since 1976. Owned an Ace Hardware store for 15 years. The rest are correct. Stainless steel all the way. If you can find them with Torx drive heads even better. Only drawback if you somehow twist one off God help you drilling it out.
The Starship- 1990 Grandvilla Unihome U300 40ft
6V92 Detroit Diesel w/ 4 spd Allison w/ retarder. Build# 3575 , Foretravel# 17895
The Shuttlecraft- 2015 Ford Explorer
Steve ( N6EKV ) & Lori ( N6JTD ) Faries  w/ Marlee our precious pup.
Patterson CA.

Re: Side molding trim screws

Reply #15 –
Quote from: steve31 –
I have sold building materials and hardware since 1976. Owned an Ace Hardware store for 15 years. The rest are correct. Stainless steel all the way. If you can find them with Torx drive heads even better. Only drawback if you somehow twist one off God help you drilling it out.
I considered all drives for the screw heads. Foretravel uses all Phillips up top and on the sides but goes to Square Recessed inside. I went with the Phillips for roof/sides so I would not have to introduce a third type. I set my gun for light torque so it stalls if the screw encounters too much resistance. I remove it and tap. Yes, almost impossible to drill out stainless.

In installing our new deck, I only use Torx screws. They are also available in stainless too. Faster to get the gun on the screw than Square Recessed and easy to remove. Anyone doing a deck should consider the CAMO tool for hidden deck screws. Easy and fast and looks terrific.  The deck can easily be sanded without hitting the screws and they make it easy to remove a damaged board.
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)