Basement door Hinges (Pop Rivets)

April 14, 2002, 09:07:59 pm

Well this was an interesting day. We are preparing for a trip next week, our first of the season. Checking all the systems, water, oil etc. After my previous comments about pop rivets (aluminum into steel) I thought a careful inspection of all attachments was in order. This inspection revealed 3 missing, 2 which were broken, and 4 or 5 which from the beginning were not holding anything because they were not properly installed. In one case at the wet compartment the finished side of the fiberglass at the lead edge of the rear wheel had a space behind the fiberglass of approximately 1/4". Those pop rivets did not even contact the steel behind.

Several of the failed or improper rivets were behind the sponge door seals. You have to pull this off to see the problem.

Most auto part stores have trim adhesive for reattachment. The problem is at the front and back ends next to the wheel wells.

About 3 hours total work, most, were properly reconnected and caulked.

The void spaces behind the fiberglass are stuffed with black pipe wrapping sponge. I would suspect this retains water? I will be installing a mud flat at the propane tank. That last time I was in there the tank was clean. Not so now.
At the propane compartment, the bottom steel rail extends forward behind the fiberglass at the wheel well. The end of the steel tube is open allowing road water to directly enter the framing. Not too good (polite). This has to be sealed.

The point of all this is to call out the need to watch for these little things and stay ahead of them to prevent more serious problems down the proverbial road

Re: Basement door Hinges (Pop Rivets)

Reply #1 – April 15, 2002, 03:57:21 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 1587

Jim,

I find your comments about the rivets on that coach interesting because when we had it 2 of the doors came from the factory with half the rivets missing.
New rivets were put in at Lazy Days. I think the rivet guy had a bad day. See you at Lakewood.

Re: Basement door Hinges (Pop Rivets)

Reply #2 – April 17, 2002, 02:44:21 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 1605

I replace those useless pop rivets with stainless steel sheet metal screws. No more
problems.

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