Forum Discussion

docsouce's avatar
docsouce
Explorer II
Sep 25, 2019

Hold down screws for RV walls

The mount screws that hold the tension string for the big curtain over the dining set window are loose. Apparently the boys at the factory got a little carried away with their screw gun and over tightened them. Now they just spin. What should I use to secure these holders. The walls seem to be hollow and I didn't want to mess around until I got some advise here. 2016 Thor Freedom Elite 22e.
  • docsouce's avatar
    docsouce
    Explorer II
    Sep 27, 2019
    Thanks for the ideas. I picked up some " Hillman Group 10/24 short jack nuts" made a little tool to pull up the back side. Worked perfectly!! Now I'm going to replace all the the downs with these. Won't have to do them again..

    Thanks again.
  • maillemaker's avatar
    maillemaker
    Explorer
    Sep 26, 2019
    If the screw is actually being screwed into air (hollow wall), then the hollow-wall solutions are good. If the thread is just stripped, I agree with wopachop - squirt some super glue into the hole and put the screw back in.
  • wopachop's avatar
    wopachop
    Explorer
    Sep 26, 2019
    Thick CA glue is great to have on hand for all types of repairs. Fill the hole with super glue and drill a small pilot. Or put a tiny dab to make the hole slightly smaller.
  • ktmrfs's avatar
    ktmrfs
    Explorer II
    Sep 26, 2019
    the very short molly bolt. installed with the rivet gun made to work with them. that way you don't need to use the screw to compress the bolt, the rivet gun tool does that.

    makes a very good long term solution and fix
  • DrewE's avatar
    DrewE
    Explorer II
    Sep 26, 2019
    Sometimes an easy solution is to put in a larger diameter screw. It may require drilling out the bracket you're mounting a bit for the additiona clearance.
  • happy2rv's avatar
    happy2rv
    Explorer
    Sep 26, 2019
    Hollow wall anchors, as already suggested, is the best "permanent" solution.

    I've used a toothpick wedged in beside the screw as a temporary fix before.
  • Dick_B's avatar
    Dick_B
    Explorer
    Sep 25, 2019
    After reading the posts on this Forum you might want to do a Google search for `hollow wall anchors' where you might get more ideas.
    I like the screw in anchors when the holding screw is inserted into the anchor after it is screwed into the wall. Use some candle wax on the screw (not the anchor) to make the screw go in easier and less likely to cause the anchor to spin.

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