Under belly fasteners

[Ed Beard]

I need to add some wiring for a cigarette lighter adaptor for a macerator pump. How do you remove the fasteners? They look like they be screws but the only turn out a little bit, maybe 1/8". Are they some sort of rivets? I have a Cougar 2019 26RKS. Thanks for the help.

[RickV]

What I did was tied into a slideout controller. Works great see post #5 in this thread https://www.keystoneforums.com/forum...ad.php?t=50897

[NH_Bulldog]

In response to your fastener question; they are actually nails driven into the frame to hold the coroplast (corrugated plastic) underbelly. Although they have a hex head, they are not screws and you have to pry them out. Once removed, you can replace them with stainless steel self-tapping screws with washers. When I needed access, I just spun the nails with a cordless drill and once loose, pried them out with a small flat bar.

[ChuckS]

There are a few ways to remove those "Nails" they seem to like to use nowadays.. The easiest way is use a cordless drill and 6 point socket on the head and a small prybar

Start turning the screw slowly CCW while working the pry bar up under the edge of the head and pry downward while continuing to operate the drill.

They will come right out. Then replace the OEM nails using 1/4 SS hex head SM screws with a nice large SS washer. The larger washer gives more support to the coroplast belly covering.

They wont rust and if you ever need further access now you have standard hex head SM screws to work with.

Fortunately my 2014 came with screws instead of the "new and improved" style

[NH_Bulldog]

My camper was built on a Monday, it has the nails all down one side and screws all down the other side, I guess Amos and Levi forgot to coordinate fasteners that day

[Texas Steve]

Originally Posted by Ed Beard

I need to add some wiring for a cigarette lighter adaptor for a macerator pump. How do you remove the fasteners? They look like they be screws but the only turn out a little bit, maybe 1/8". Are they some sort of rivets? I have a Cougar 2019 26RKS. Thanks for the help.

The fasteners holding the coroplast are a nail / rivet type of fastener. They can be pulled with a hammer and replaced with a self-tapping screw. Good luck on your mod.

[jxnbbl]

I just used a grinder to get the head off and hammered the nail through if it didn't fall out. Then replaced with self taping screws.

[Canonman]

This is the pry bar I've used: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Stanley-...-045/100029546
As they say, It's Wonderbar"

[Camping family]

Not stealing the post but have a question about the same thing. I also have the same pump. Since the camper battery is close to where I want to mount the pump. Would there be a problem just connecting it to the camper battery? I’m thinking it wouldn’t drain the battery since it’s not connected all the time.

[wiredgeorge]

I connect our macerator pump directly to the battery and put an inline switch in the macerator's cord.

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by NH_Bulldog

My camper was built on a Monday, it has the nails all down one side and screws all down the other side, I guess Amos and Levi forgot to coordinate fasteners that day

Or your trailer had issues at PDI and the selling dealer didn’t have the rivet gun to replace them. I have done it.

[WNY Bullet]

Originally Posted by Camping family

Not stealing the post but have a question about the same thing. I also have the same pump. Since the camper battery is close to where I want to mount the pump. Would there be a problem just connecting it to the camper battery? I’m thinking it wouldn’t drain the battery since it’s not connected all the time.

I added a 12v jack on my battery box for connecting all my 12v accessories. I use it for my Tire Air Pump, Water Transfer Pump and future Macerator...

Added: I should add my trickle charger during winter storage!