Drilling holes in TT wall

[Innacanoe]

I'm really new at this camper thing so am probably making a ton of mistakes. I've been updating the curtains in the camper (19' hitch pull) and tried to install simple little curtain rods over the windows. It seemed as though the walls were made of iron. I managed to drill holes in only two out of eight screw holes but now I'm worried that I may have made holes where I shouldn't have. I know this sounds dumb, but I really wanted curtains. Lol. Btw, its a used 2006 Coleman with no user manual so I'm pretty much having to figure things out the best I can.

[Innacanoe]

That would be nice. Hopefully, camper designers are also in this forum. 😉

[kkOH]

kkOH wrote:
I know there's just too much inconsistency in the manufacturing process but man wouldn't it be nice if part of your packet when you bought a camper new was either a diagram with measurements of where "good" mount points were, or even easier for the manufacturer, photographs of the build process so you had frames or reference for where to avoid?

As a way of talking to myself this self quote will do 🙂

Anyhow, I just got off the phone with a sales manager at Forest River (actually located at the facility where they build the viking/cliper line) and told him how useful this would be and he took down my email address and told me that when they run my model through the line next time he's going to snap pictures and email them to me.

Assuming he follow through - NICE!

Guess it never hurts to talk to the manufacturer!

[RavensFan24]

If I was going to hang pictures, I'd use a 3M command strip or hook. I avoid putting holes in a wall whenever possible. the only thing I've ever put a hole in the wall of an RV for was mounting a TV where there was a mounting plate behind the wall for stability.

[thirtydaZe]

Speaking of drilling, can we include hammering nails? i see some people hang pictures in their campers. what is the best process on that?

[kkOH]

I know there's just too much inconsistency in the manufacturing process but man wouldn't it be nice if part of your packet when you bought a camper new was either a diagram with measurements of where "good" mount points were, or even easier for the manufacturer, photographs of the build process so you had frames or reference for where to avoid?

[dadmomh]

Absolutely check the length of the screws if they're going on an exterior wall, especially. Some time ago on Hybrid Explorer a member had a very bad experience installing a bracket for their flat screen. Oops!

Trailers have had valances and curtains forever. In our HTT, they were put up with screws into the paneling and no problem. We took the curtains down, kept the valances and added mini-blinds. DH used the appropriate size screw and plastic anchors and no problem. Are the curtains you planned to put up especially heavy? Suggest you check into the anchors or the double tape mentioned above.

[arizal]

You should be able to use double backed tape to attach the curtain brackets to the wall. Buy the best you can find at your local Home Depot or Lowes. The better tape will hold 20# per inch.
ArizAl

[Innacanoe]

🙂 That wouldn't be cool.

[Gene_Ginny]

Remember, most walls are only 1 inch thick. I know someone that had a trailer where the previous owner used 2 inch screws in the 1 inch wall. :E

[Innacanoe]

Thanks for the input. I'm afraid I may have drilled through metal plates. Yikes!!! I think I'll try JB Welding the curtain rods in place. Or do without curtains. That seems to be the in thing anyway.

[rbpru]

Some TT manufacturers use steel plates over the wire routing in the studs, so a worker does not drive a stable through the wire during assembly.

[Shadow_Catcher]

You might try a stud finder, when you drilled I am willing to bet you hit wood (the window is framed).

[RoyB]

Just fill the unused holes with wood putty and when it dries touch-up to match the decor...

Hopefully your curtains are not heavy items as the walls are really thin. They are not designed to hold much weight. Maybe your drilling close to the windows was all into framework behind the walls.