Microwave Crashing Down

RVMike wrote:
Had the same problem with the cig lighter, it was a bad ground wire.

Quite possibly. I removed the ground lug on the side, re-installed it and now can't get the GPS to trip off no matter how much I pound on the dash.

Now the camera into radio, which had to be removed to get to the 12V socket, cam video doesn't work. Always something LOL. I use a separate monitor anyway. The radio was just for backup (pun not intended).

Best,
- bob

Had the same problem with the cig lighter, it was a bad ground wire.

cbr46 wrote:
Something goes wrong every trip . . . .

2002 Fleetwood Terra, 76,000+ miles



I could put the bracket back up with LARGE wood screws as I don't have any rivets that large (not real fond of the rivet design anyway). I could add 2 more LARGE screw mounts, or just redrill new holes altogether to penetrate fresh wood. I thought about using expanding drywall bolts but the foam above might not allow them to expand out very much. Toggle bolts, maybe? They would need a much larger ceiling hole but at least pull down tight over a larger area.

Ideas?

Best,
- c bob

That metal bar was only attacked at the roof, those roofs are made with Styrofoam and a microwave is to heavy for that, I would look at trying to install the microwave different than the roof, try building a frame above microwave, attach frame to the side walls instead of roof.

I thought about calling Fleetwood but sometimes the mfg route can take a while or even be non-responsive (although I've heard FW is good). Next trip is in 4 - 5 days.

The original top bracket did use a star type rivet. Some rivets "starred out" better than others. The rivet that looks water stained snapped in half. Don't think water caused an Al rivet to snap . . . .

The wall bracket at the back is intact. Yes, it shoulders much of the weight which seems to be in the rear of the unit. There's also 2 screws to keep it from hopping up and off the rear bracket but only 1 screw was installed. Good thing as that screw hole was ripped out in the fall.

The microwave is back in with eight # 12 screws holding the bracket to the top deck. None of the original holes were re-used. It's in tight with all covers back in place. I hope sehunter is wrong about screws failing. Time will tell.

Tomorrow is a day of laying on my back wedged between the drivers seat and motor mount trying to find a loose connection to the 12V dash socket. Should be fun.

Best,
- bob

If I were you I would call Fleetwood and get there advice. I've had to re-attach the front tv cabinet to the ceiling several times with screws and each time it failed and a cabinet to the sidewall and each time they failed. Then I got smart and talked to a Fleetwood tech, always use rivets into the ceiling and sidewalls. Still up there after a couple of years. I forget the name of the type I used but they star out when compressed.
Yours looks like some water damage weakened it and finally came down.
I would re-attach that angle iron with about 5 star rivets and I bet it lasts you.

I had an appliance store and I have installed hundreds of over the range microwaves. It is no wonder the unit fell. Go on line to the m/w mfg site and look at install directions. The tie downs at the front stop bouncing and stabilize the unit. I would mount a shelf securely above the m/w and use it for front support. The large bracket on the back wall carries the weight of the unit. If you look at the install directions you will see how the proper mounting carries and spreads the weight of the unit. Best luck. Jeff

John Wayne wrote:
As I recall mine also had long screws going from the front of the microwave into the rear mounting bracket. Do you have any holes on the back bracket that would line up with a screw coming from the top corners of the microwave. The installer may have left those out went he mounted it.

No, there were only 3 holes in the bracket for rivets. One rivet is still in the ceiling (snapped). Now there's 7 . . . for screws!

Back out to the moho . . . .

Best,
- bob

As I recall mine also had long screws going from the front of the microwave into the rear mounting bracket. Do you have any holes on the back bracket that would line up with a screw coming from the top corners of the microwave. The installer may have left those out went he mounted it.

The water spots are pretty old as the ceiling is bone dry after the 1" rain we drove through last night. After purchase almost 2 years ago I sealed various points on the roof so I'm not concerned about water.

Thanks for the tips - the moly bolt was looking pretty promising until I found a magnet sticks to the ceiling and over a pretty good area over the uwave. I guess that answers one question.

Given I have metal to work with I'll probably use large sheet metal screws (I have #10, 12 & 14) and add additional holes.

I still need to fix an intermitten 12V dash socket. Any bounce shuts off the GPS. That's what went wrong the trip before this one. There is absolutely NO FUN getting under the dash!

Best,
- bob

Glad that no body was hurt and your appliance wasn't damaged.

Safe travels,
MM.