Screws for trim on 5th wheel

[Cameo_Phil]

I have a 2002 Cameo that has several loose or missing screws around the exterior trim. What type of screws is everybody using to replace t0hese missing trim screws. The original screws were aluminum , but I have had no luck finding any aluminum screws.
Lowe's did carry aluminum screws, but they discontinued them. An internet search has turned up no listing for aluminum screws. Will 18-8 SS screws work without having galvanic action take place?

[Veebyes]

X2 for going the stainless machine screw route plus flat washers to spread load.

As a boater it amazes me how cheaply these things are put together & yet they do not disintegrate as they hurtle down the roads.

[Bzeitham]

If you can get painted stainless steel screws, do so. The paint will "isolate" the two different metals so the aluminum will not corrode. They are many times called shutter screws in a hardware store.

Bill Z

[loulou57]

Coach-man wrote:
From an old boater, there are stainLESS hardware and then there are stainless hardware! ACE or other "Mom Pop" hardware stores, or a marine supply store is the place to find good stainless hardware, big box = "made in china" and while they may stain less, they will rust and be a problem!

You are so right here. Make sure your stainless is good quality.

We have quite an assortment of stainless screws, bolts etc. in both the TT and our boat. You never know when you are going to need something and if travelling they, stainless, may be hard to find.

[Coach-man]

From an old boater, there are stainLESS hardware and then there are stainless hardware! ACE or other "Mom Pop" hardware stores, or a marine supply store is the place to find good stainless hardware, big box = "made in china" and while they may stain less, they will rust and be a problem!

[Maverick2]

When you have to replace the screws, I use a machine screw with a star washer & nut. They never come out again.

[missourijan]

Definitely stainless steel. Ace Hardware has the best selection and price. They sell the screws already painted but it's pretty easy to buy the unpainted ones, stick them in a piece of cardboard then spray paint with white paint. We also spend some time at the beach every year and have had to replace over 300 screws on our 4 slides.

[hook47]

RTV: room temperature vulcanizing

[Rough2000]

Try Mcfeely's. They have all kinds of screws...the best place I have found for square drive screws. I replaced all my exterior screws with SS due to the Gulf visits for one month a year.

[pcm1959]

Try West Marine for a good selection of stainless screws. Also, Ace Hardware has a far better selection of fasteners than the big box stores. Phil

[Peg_Leg]

I go up to my RV surplus store and buy several different handfuls just to keep on hand. I have a plastic jar of them in the basement.

ICKE'S RV SURPLUS. 701 W. Huntington Street, Montpelier, IN 47359; (765)
728-5668. New/surplus RV parts. In business 29 years. Four warehouses. UPS
nationwide delivery

Give these people a call. Tell the head style and length. If they want to know what size just tell them where your using them. They have different colors too. They sell them by the pound.

[ontheroad101]

I've use stainless several times. I had to paint the heads white on some of them Worked well.

[Cameo_Phil]

RTV is silicone sealer, usually in a small tube.

[D_E_Bishop]

handsome51 wrote:
I have a 2006 Carriage. When I have a missing screw or one that the head is starting to rust. I replace it with a stainless screw. I put RTV in the screw hole and on the screw. Then I screw it in and wipe the access off.

X2 for reinstalling SS screws, I just use the ones the hardware stores carry I don't know from 18-8. What is RTV?

[handsome51]

I have a 2006 Carriage. When I have a missing screw or one that the head is starting to rust. I replace it with a stainless screw. I put RTV in the screw hole and on the screw. Then I screw it in and wipe the access off.