Ideas for attaching items under the RV

[path1]

I would like to install a couple vinyl fence post tubes and a ladder underneath of RV.

I would prefer not drilling holes in the frame. But I can't think of a method that would not involve drilling.



Any alternatives?

[YamaDooed]

Most newer trailers have about 30 Tek screws per side holding up the Coroplast underbelly panels to the frame so I figure 4 more wouldn't hurt.

[JaxDad]

path1 wrote:
I would like to install a couple vinyl fence post tubes and a ladder underneath of RV.

Just be aware that anything you put down there will be subject to hits from 'road gators' (tire carcasses) on the road. As an RV you have very little room to move without leaving your lane.

A tire carcass hitting anything at 55 mph will be quite an impact.

[Grit_dog]

Where you can safely drill holes in a frame depends largely on the stresses that piece sees at that location. Could be in compression, tension, pos or neg moment, torsion, or all of the above.
How about big zip ties? I've held stuff together for years with them. Why dill a frame to mount a plastic tube to hold a sewer hose? Seems excessive.
Or use 2 hose clamps. 1 around the frame and the other around the item to be attached, normal to the first one.

[Gjac]

Brokentone wrote:
When I worked with heavy trucks we never drilled holes in the top or bottom of the frame, only in the web between.

Bob

This is good practice. If you look at Al air aircraft structural frames this is were lightning holes are put in to save weight. In either an I beam or C section the caps(top and bottom) carry the majority of the load. Another good practice for drilled holes is that they should be twice the hole dia from the edge(2D) for bearing strength.

[wanderingbob]

We lived on sailboats in the Carib for many years and are very comfortable with " lashing " items to the frame . We use para-cord and have been lashing hose holders , fish pole holders and many other items .Never had anything come loose ! Sailors did this for thousands of years . It still works !

[Brokentone]

When I worked with heavy trucks we never drilled holes in the top or bottom of the frame, only in the web between.

Bob

[westend]

I'm about to make a fence-post-style slinky carrier and am looking at different ways to attach.

LarryJM used beam clamps as a way to attach aluminum angle in his underbelly area. His album of what he did is here. The beam clamps allow a way to attach to the trailer frame for those that are wary of drilling holes in the frame.

[Wishbone51]

How do you use plumber's tape? What do you do with the holes? I'm about to make a fence-post-style slinky carrier and am looking at different ways to attach.

[ScottG]

I would drill and tap threads and hang it accordingly - actually, that is exactly what I did. 🙂
Wont hurt anything.

[Gonzo42]

Ditto on the Plumber's Tape. Works well, rust resistant, good tensile strength, plenty of pre-made holes. If you are averse to drilling the frame, it can be used then removed with no trace.

[BubbaChris]

I've seen people using Plumber's Tape (the galvanized metal with holes every inch). I've also seen heavier duty metal brackets and threaded rods used.

In my case I bought some UV resistant zip-ties and used a bunch of them to support my fence post rig for the stinky slinky.

[RoyB]

I sure have tons of room under my off-road POPUP. Been thinking about doing a couple of things under there. I could probably hang a hammock haha...

I do want to put a safe lock box with access inside one of my cabinets... Also like those torklift hangers for batteries - thats a neat idea.

[BB_TX]

A few holes in the frame will not harm it at all. And will by far be the most secure way of attaching something. Drill proper size holes and use self tapping screws/bolts.