Grand Design - What is the correct way to repair stripped screws on exterior?

[Cate&Rob]

Yoda

Hi Keith,

Your plan sounds good. I am familiar with rivnuts, but not these slotted body ones. I will be really interested to learn how this works. I would go with stainless bolts to avoid any future corrosion/rust issues. You might be able to find what are called “button head” bolts. They have an internal hex drive.

Rob

[Yoda]

Thanks Rob
My local Fastenall may have the washer head SS that I need. Ill check tomorrow on my way to my favorite deli for the Italian combo - grilled with jalapenos.
I love it when a plan comes together

[Yoda]

Local Fastenall was a bust. I don't think I need a bag of 500, however online shows them by the piece. My local Ace may have the button head bolts you show. I have a few days before the tool and plusnuts get to me. Need to make a tow run tomorrow, so will look around.

[steve&renee]

I was not familiar with plus nuts/cross nuts.

Search "plusnut installation" to find some videos.

This one shows the what's behind the wall after installation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jROrscT9p4

The plastic "shields" I now favor for hanging stuff on walls where you have no stud work the same way. The "shield" has wings that expand behind the wall to add structure.

[TucsonJim]

I was not familiar with plus nuts/cross nuts.

Search "plusnut installation" to find some videos.

This one shows the what's behind the wall after installation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jROrscT9p4

The plastic "shields" I now favor for hanging stuff on walls where you have no stud work the same way. The "shield" has wings that expand behind the wall to add structure.

That video does a good job of explaining how the PlusNuts work. But I'd caution folks to be careful about using an impact driver to install them through a fiberglass wall. I'd be concerned about damaging the fiberglass. It would probably be better to use a ratchet and socket. I'd also suggest that anyone using them try it on a piece of scrap fiberglass first.

Jim

[steve&renee]

I'd caution folks to be careful about using an impact driver to install them through a fiberglass wall.
Jim

Understood. Most of the videos show installation using wrenches, but they didn't show the mechanism behind the wall. This one did. Plus I liked his accent.

-Steve

[Yoda]

Well I have the tool and Plusnuts - coming out of Texas. While you can probably get these nuts to expand with a long bolt and backing nut and washer to pull against, I decided to get the tool that's made for this. I will definitely take pictures and report how this works.

Update:: Tool and nuts have shipped and I did find 1" stainless steel washer head 10-32 machine screws at my local Fastenall along with SS washers to give me a better bearing on the backing channel. Fastenall requires you have a business account now rather than walk in cash folks, So I used my hay business and paid even less - go figure. Should have everything next Wednesday. Brother is coming to town so may use his help - then again

BTW - any thought on a bushing to fatten out the 10-32 bolts in the backing channel. The hole in the channel is 5/16" I think. Of am I fussing over nothing?
Thanks again
Keith

[Beachcamper]

The rivets that we use are GD part #960736, RIVET - #625 TRI-FOLD LG FLG ALUM .039-.354 GRIP RANGE, BLAC. The wall thickness with the EGS backer is 1/4" thick.

when I searched for these rivets, I found these. Are they the right ones?

http://www.rvlocksandmore.com/Fasten...ivet-100-pcs_2

Not using the plusnuts but wanted to have some rivets for repair’s if needed.

[Cate&Rob]

when I searched for these rivets, I found these. Are they the right ones?

http://www.rvlocksandmore.com/Fasten...ivet-100-pcs_2

Not using the plusnuts but wanted to have some rivets for repair’s if needed.

The YouTube video on "Tri-fold" rivets shows a finishing tool that cuts off the post rather than snapping it out like a normal pop rivet. This may be to create a water tight fastener. The previously discussed fastener creates a threaded insert where a (removable) bolt is used as the fastener.

Rob

[GDRV-Megan]

when I searched for these rivets, I found these. Are they the right ones?

http://www.rvlocksandmore.com/Fasten...ivet-100-pcs_2

Not using the plusnuts but wanted to have some rivets for repair’s if needed.

Yes, those are the same ones.

[Beachcamper]

Thanks Megan and Rob 👍🏼

[Yoda]

For those reading this I ended up using the plusnuts to repair the 4 lowest screws on each back channel. This thread covers the install https://gdrvowners.com/forum/exterio...-screws-repair

I still need a solution for the top bracket screws as I cant get the plusnuts in without major awning removal.