Finding Studs Behind Exterior Aluminum Siding

1L243 wrote:
I could use my stud finder to find studs on the inside of the trailer which would work fine but I was trying to find studs behind the exterior aluminum siding. The stud finder won't work with the aluminum siding.

What I am trying to do is mount a exterior TV mount...

For the exterior walls, wouldn't the studs on the inside of the walls be the same studs as on the outside? Locate the stud on the inside, measure to a convenient window (or other feature you can find on both the inside and outside), and replicate the measurement on the outside.

I could use my stud finder to find studs on the inside of the trailer which would work fine but I was trying to find studs behind the exterior aluminum siding. The stud finder won't work with the aluminum siding.

What I am trying to do is mount a exterior TV mount...

Kpackpackkelley wrote:
I bought a stud finder at the hardware store to find them in the house. But that’s Sheetrock and wooden studs but it works really good.

That would work fine also for the OP's situation.

I bought a stud finder at the hardware store to find them in the house. But that’s Sheetrock and wooden studs but it works really good.

1L243 wrote:
The framing in this trailer is wood constructions with aluminum siding. I tried the infrared temperature gun suggestion thinking there might be temperature variation between stud and insulation between studs. If there was it was not enough for me to have confidence on stud location. Tried the knock test. We will be going camping in a week maybe I will be able to see with the dew method...

I was thinking of using the smallest drill bit possible and find the stud on the inside and drill all the way through to the outside.

I was thinking fiberglass sided. If wood studs, that *should* be super easy. The luan paneling should be stapled to the studs and vertical rows of tiny staples should be visible if you look close up. Look for the tape they use over adjoining seams in the sheets of luan and then look for studs like around 12-16"+ away. Studs won't necessarily be even spaced. I tried a stud finder once and didn't work well. Pushing on the luan to see where it does and doesn't flex can be a clue. Carefully tapping lightly with a hammer can also work. IR gun won't work as well on wood studs but would want to try in early morning with interior warm.

The framing in this trailer is wood constructions with aluminum siding. I tried the infrared temperature gun suggestion thinking there might be temperature variation between stud and insulation between studs. If there was it was not enough for me to have confidence on stud location. Tried the knock test. We will be going camping in a week maybe I will be able to see with the dew method...

I was thinking of using the smallest drill bit possible and find the stud on the inside and drill all the way through to the outside.

There may not be any vertical studs except at the 4 corners. If you need a stud to mount something there are various fastening options depending on weight. An IR gun could work to locate studs if there are any.

Do the studs use steel-anything in or around them? Larger N52 Neodymium magnets on eBay react to a nail behind sheet wall paneling (the thin stuff).

Moved to Tech Issues forum from DIY.

I don't know what type of trailer you have, but my Airstream has a row of rivets running down every stud.