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Old 09-28-2016, 05:56 AM   #1
Jgkopp
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Every Keystone owner needs to do this - fender hardware

I have already had one screw work it's way out and I look in the mirror and see my fender wiggling around it is time to address this. At a minimum the sheet metal screws are all getting replaced with this stainless steel hardware purchased from Lowes. My project for this weekend.

I saw some better means of bracket supports on here, will be getting to that one later.

John



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Old 09-28-2016, 06:46 AM   #2
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Great advise. Very simple and inexpensive fix.
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Old 09-28-2016, 08:38 AM   #3
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My left fender skirt was a casualty on its maiden trip with me. I will definitely be doing this to the right skirt and the replacement for the left side.
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Old 09-28-2016, 09:54 AM   #4
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I did the same last year. Big difference and simple to do.
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Old 09-28-2016, 06:17 PM   #5
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I used automotive screws and e-clips to fix mine.. but may change to your idea. The auto screws I used matched very well with stock.


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Old 09-28-2016, 08:40 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by weebl View Post
My left fender skirt was a casualty on its maiden trip with me. I will definitely be doing this to the right skirt and the replacement for the left side.
My left fender skirt was also a problem on my maiden trip. The dealer fixed it for me right after that trip. I like the remedy from this thread. I'm going to work on it before it hibernates for the winter

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Old 09-29-2016, 03:38 AM   #7
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I changed ours over last year after our lengthy trip with similar SS hardware but from McMaster-Carr. This year after our 7000+ miles of travel on the oh so great USA highways, nary a loose fender fastener. Other parts and fasteners elsewhere - yes, and those too will be soon fixed but really nothing unexpected after close to 20K miles in just over 2 years.
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Old 09-29-2016, 08:15 AM   #8
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Thanks for great advice and solution to the problem. We haven't experienced "fender flap" yet, but will do some preventive maintenance. It would be great if Keystone would participate in this forum and acknowledge their shortcomings in construction, and tell people they will correct them
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Old 09-29-2016, 01:58 PM   #9
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Looks like a good solution. I had the same issue on my Cougar within the first year of getting it. I ended up using a slightly larger sheet metal screw and it took care of it.
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Old 09-29-2016, 03:21 PM   #10
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I definitely have a screw loose. Gonna fix the fenders too. Thanks for the tip.
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Old 09-29-2016, 03:47 PM   #11
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I used 8x32 speed nuts and a washer under the screw head and they have held for two years. This looks like a very good idea as well. Fender flap is an issue on lots of RVs; left untended it will pull your skirt off
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Old 09-29-2016, 04:37 PM   #12
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I think speed is the main driver for the selection of hardware the factory uses. The reasonable costs of these rigs is due to the speed of production. On the other hand, is the liability of fenders falling off these rigs worth the savings of doing inferior workmanship?

The skirt metal is so thin the sheet metal screw the factory is using has no chance of holding. They could maybe experiment with a finer threaded sheet metal screw with raised teeth under the pan head so it does not back out, as long as they don't strip it out as that is easy to do with such thin sheet metal skirting.

As owners that take pride in what we own, most of us will take the time to do it right if we're capable.

I think some of mine, the bolt will need to be cut off just after the loc nut being it is mounted on a slide that buts up against the rig. We shal see soon enough.

Thanks for all the replies, I didn't think I was alone with this issue.
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Old 09-29-2016, 04:46 PM   #13
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I did that after my 1st trip last December to one screw. Pulled all and coated with Locktight Red and they have held for the last 4500 miles.
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Old 10-01-2016, 04:21 AM   #14
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When using SS hardware always use anti-sieze on the threads. it may sound stupid but stainless tends to lock itself together and you won't be able to get the fasteners apart. No it won't make the fasteners loosen over time.
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Old 10-01-2016, 05:43 AM   #15
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When using SS hardware always use anti-sieze on the threads. it may sound stupid but stainless tends to lock itself together and you won't be able to get the fasteners apart. No it won't make the fasteners loosen over time.
Yes, that's true but only if you use dissimilar nut/washer metals such as carbon steel or aluminum. Or put them in a threaded hole in CS or aluminum.
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Old 10-02-2016, 07:21 AM   #16
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That's a great idea. But what I did on our last 2 trailers was as soon as I got em home was to put a dab of clear Kwik Seal adhesive caulk around the inside thread of each screw. So far it's been 12 years and we haven't had a screw back out yet. Ever so often I check em to make sure the caulk is still there....so far so good.
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Old 10-02-2016, 05:23 PM   #17
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All done. You may want a pack of one-inch long for going through the support brackets on a couple of the screws. I put a SS washer under both ends (screw head and Loc-Nut). I don't see a need to paint the screw heads, they look fine. Used the missing drill bit to enlarge the hole just enough for the new hardware.







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Old 11-20-2016, 09:13 PM   #18
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Re: Every Keystone owner needs to do this - fender hardware

We had the same problem and did what you are doing. We also noticed the fan light likes to come loose and we have found it laying on the floor a few times after a trip..found we have to go around a tighten everything down before a trip things get bouncy
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Old 11-21-2016, 02:33 AM   #19
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Re: Every Keystone owner needs to do this - fender hardware

Has anyone replaced a fender ? Cost ? Mine came to me cracked.. will do the screws but if not crazy expensive I would replace one as well
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Old 11-21-2016, 06:21 AM   #20
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Re: Every Keystone owner needs to do this - fender hardware

Quote:
Originally Posted by Irish Mist View Post
Has anyone replaced a fender ? Cost ? Mine came to me cracked.. will do the screws but if not crazy expensive I would replace one as well
There are a number of sources, your dealership, competing dealerships, Trekwood, a "surplus" RV parts store, etc. Here is one source: http://www.trekwood.com/products/477...Brushed-Nickel The cost of the actual part isn't that much, about $130, but shipping will probably be as much or even more than that, making the part much more expensive.

As with any product, it's not "one size fits all" so if that actual part isn't what you need, Trekwood has a variety of different skirts that were used on the 2011 Cougar line http://www.trekwood.com/parts-search...23+%2F+Keyword

You might want to give them a call to discuss your needs if you don't see what you're looking for.
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