Attaching small shelf to the wall

Whether or not you can find a stud, I'd recommend a backer board of similar material as the shelf. Anchor to the wall using srews, molys or rivets but first, slather on some structural adhesive, i.e. Liquid Nails. Give the backer time to set and attach your shelf using wood screws.
Jim

Campfire Time wrote:
You might also be able to get a schematic from your manufacturer. I know Jayco will send out on request a "map" of where the studs are on a given model.

This is an interesting suggestion. I will call Keystone and see if they can do the same.

You might also be able to get a schematic from your manufacturer. I know Jayco will send out on request a "map" of where the studs are on a given model.

Oscar rivets work well in luan plywood and are strong. Available online at some RV parts vendors like here.

Do not do what my previous owner did and attach the shelf to the wall with the fresh water tank right behind.

But I have to admit, aside from the leaks, the plastic held the screws pretty well.:R

I asked similar question a year or so back. Best advice was to use expanding screw inserts of apropriate length. I measured my wall thickness carefully and taped off my drill bit so as not to go to far. Worked well as I now have a long shelf with food supplies. Best of luck. I like the piano hinge idea also.

Another thing you can do is find the studs if possible & secure a 1" x 4" project board, Oak etc. securing it from one stud to another & anchor all along the width of that board.

My interior wall is 1/4 inch plywood, and I couldn't be sure of frame members in the area, so I resorted to a piano hinge and regular wood screws, the shortest ones I could find. My drop table is 12 inches by 36 inches, and since I'm placing only light loads on it, the 24 screws needed to go the length of the table spread the load over the whole area and have held well.

A lot depends on construction.

Mine is aluminum framed with foam insulation, and thin plywood bonded to the interior and exterior to form a sandwich. I've drilled where I thought there was an aluminum frame member, used sheet metal screws into the aluminum. If there is no frame member, then used mollies to hold things. Nothing I've done this way is very heavy.

I've installed 2 drop leaf tables, but they were installed where I could get behind, and brace them.

Doug

If you have a stud finder, use that to help locate the studs. Then anchor there. If you look very close at the paneling in your camper, you should be able to see where the panels join together. Those seams are located on a stud. I find studs pretty good by simply tapping on the wall and listening to the sound, and how much movement the panel has at different places. When it solid, you're on a stud.

You may need to add a cross piece (board) between two studs so you have a good anchor. Then attach the shelf to the board.