Missing screws behind sofa 295RL

[Bobsrv]

Behind the rear sofa I have screws that have come out of the lower metal rail .Can I remove the sofa and put them back or should take into te dealer to repair. Thanks Bob

[howson]

Bobsrv
I had the exact same thing happen to my 315RLTS. The couch comes out easily enough (open it up and you'll see it secured to the floor).

Since the screws backed out by themselves somehow, I dipped toothpicks in Gorilla Glue (original) and shoved as many as I could fit into the hole. I then let the glue expand (that's what the original does) and let it dry for 24 hours. The next day the toothpicks were cut flush to the trim and the screws were put back in.

No power tools were used to install the screws, as with almost everything on our campers there's a snugness that can be felt with a manual screwdriver (or robertson driver) that tells you it's "just right tight".

I am curious if anyone has a theory as to why those particular screws come out. Every single one of mine were missing. (!)

Howard

[Cate&Rob]

If you put the screws back into the same holes, they will likely come out again. It is a good bet that the holes were stripped when the screws were originally installed with a power driver. I would suggest that new holes, larger than the screw diameter be drilled through just the metal bracket and smaller pilot holes drilled in the wood/aluminum underneath so that a new screw gets a good grip. This is not an unreasonable task for an owner (once the sofa is moved temporarily out of the way). Not something that I would haul it back to the dealer for . . . he is likely to just put the screws back into the old holes anyway.

Tasks like this are a common part of "RV ownership" . . .

Rob

[Bobsrv]

Thanks for the suggestion I’ll get it pulled later today and give that a try. Thanks

[Madonnell]

Every single one of the upper screws were pulled out in my fulltime 303rls. I put bigger screws back and hand snuggled them, but I think they are only going into an aluminum frame tube behind the wall, so will wallow out the holes and pull out again due to flexing driving down the road. We'll see.

[howson]

Every single one of the upper screws were pulled out in my fulltime 303rls. I put bigger screws back and hand snuggled them, but I think they are only going into an aluminum frame tube behind the wall, so will wallow out the holes and pull out again due to flexing driving down the road. We'll see.

Makes me wonder why GD didn't "stuff" those aluminum tubes with wood (a standard practice in other areas) at the top and bottom of the back wall since they are used as an attachment point.

[Mike Burns]

The screws have all fallen out from the back wall behind the couch in our 2021 337rls. The holes in the angle strip don’t line up with the holes in the back wall anymore which is concerning. I put screws into the back wall in new locations and they are all out again. Is this strip there just for aesthetics?

The screws also fell out in the 2016 27rl we previously owned.

[Bobsrv]

I finally got to replacing screws in back wall . I used Howard’s suggestion of using original gorilla glue and tooth picks. I could fit 3 in each hole.not very much resistant pushing them in felt like going in foam insulation. They did tighten up and pull plate and back wall together. I’ll see how they hold up after next trip Memoral weekend.

thanks for all the help
Bon

[howson]

I finally got to replacing screws in back wall . I used Howard’s suggestion of using original gorilla glue and tooth picks. I could fit 3 in each hole.not very much resistant pushing them in felt like going in foam insulation. They did tighten up and pull plate and back wall together. I’ll see how they hold up after next trip Memoral weekend.

thanks for all the help
Bon

I got two different answers from two trusted sources at GD last week on this issue. One source said the elbow is nothing more than trim to hide the crack where the wall and floor meet. The other said it was to assist structural integrity.

When the moderators walked the AIM assembly line I looked to specifically understand how the rear wall was attached. Underneath the trim visible on the corner (and also under the mylar tape that seals the joint) there are screws that hold the back and side walls together. See pic below.

My .02 is that that the "L" is more trim than structural. The screws work themselves out due to the movement of the rear wall in relation to the floor. But in no case is there any imminent separation of the rear wall from the trailer due to these screws coming out.

All that said I'd still reinstall them with the method outlined above (until I learn of a better process).

Howard

[Country Campers]

To add to Howard's post above.

The angle is as described and does "hold" the wall somewhat. The key to this installation is to allow wall movement while traveling. If this was made so that there was no movement then more than likely both walls and the rear wall would suffer damage from "forced" movement when the "box" is twisting while traveling.

Brian

[Hawgwild]

I just discovered the same problem on our 2019 337RLS. All screws are missing. I will take Howard’s as I e and fill in the holes with glue and toothpicks. Howard’s picture from the GD assembly line reassures my worries for potential pro down the road. Thanks for the great posting Howard!

Maybe we’ll see you at the National Rally?

[howson]

Maybe we’ll see you at the National Rally?

I hope so!

Did you see Country Campers post about a Forum Meet & Greet? Tuesday night at our campers (Area A).

If you check out the seminar schedule you'll also see all five of the moderators are doing various technical presentations throughout the rally. Look for Rob Farrow, Jim Hinkle, Brian Cravener, Neil Citro and me (Howard Wilson) as the presenter.

[Hawgwild]

Sounds great. I’ll check it out! I’ve met Jim several times at all of the west coast rallies. Safe travels…

[Hawgwild]

Regarding the screws that backed out on many of our rigs, the SRT techs at the National Rally mentioned that they use rivets to fix this issue. The rivets expand therefore won’t back out like a small screw. They gave me a handful so I make make the repair when I get time.