Exterior wall thickness?

[Maineiacs]

A couple of my shades keep falling down as the sheetrock screws pull out of the wall due to vibration. I plan to reset the screws and use those little plastic expandable wall anchors (similar to molly bolts). The anchors vary in length from 3/4 inch to 1 inch. I should be safe in using that length - right?


I'm guessing at this point between the wall covering and the foam insulation there's probably an inch and a half before I reach the Filon exterior. Right?

[jasin1]

Originally Posted by Maineiacs

A couple of my shades keep falling down as the sheetrock screws pull out of the wall due to vibration. I plan to reset the screws and use those little plastic expandable wall anchors (similar to molly bolts). The anchors vary in length from 3/4 inch to 1 inch. I should be safe in using that length - right?


I'm guessing at this point between the wall covering and the foam insulation there's probably an inch and a half before I reach the Filon exterior. Right?

I’ve been using these anchors for all my Sheetrock needs lately..don’t know if they would work on your wall or not but they are really strong and secure.

[JRTJH]

If you're repairing the shade fixtures "IN THE TRAILER EXTERIOR WALLS" then yes, they are typically 2" thick (from interior luan wallboard to exterior FILON sheeting/aluminum skin)...

ON THE OTHER HAND: Many slides are constructed with 1" frames, so they are actually significantly less than 2" thick..... Many are only 1.25" thick when you measure from the interior luan to the exterior FILON sheeting.

SO USE CAUTION ON JUST HOW LONG THE SCREWS ON THE ANCHORS REALLY ARE. YOU COULD EASILY BE "WELL WITHIN WALL THICKNESS" IN THE MAIN WALL STRUCTURE AND 3/4" IN THE "PORCUPINE REALM" ON THE SLIDE WALLS.......

[Sarge2]

I was not sure on thickness of our walls but decided to use those type of anchors... I actually found some of the type you see that are heavier but they are much shorter... about 3/4"... I've also trimmed the point off and pre-drilled a hole to use the shortened anchor.. I love the screw in ones and think they work and hold much better than some of the others....

[Maineiacs]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

SO USE CAUTION ON JUST HOW LONG THE SCREWS ON THE ANCHORS REALLY ARE. YOU COULD EASILY BE "WELL WITHIN WALL THICKNESS" IN THE MAIN WALL STRUCTURE AND 3/4" IN THE "PORCUPINE REALM" ON THE SLIDE WALLS.......

So my plan to use 4 inch deck screws is out the window then?


Appreciate the confirmation of thickness and yes, I would never use screws longer than the overall depth of the anchor.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by Maineiacs

So my plan to use 4 inch deck screws is out the window then?


Appreciate the confirmation of thickness and yes, I would never use screws longer than the overall depth of the anchor.

You might reconsider before throwing that 4" deck screw out the window. I've found overkill comes in handy sometimes; that 2" sticking through the exterior wall can be covered with little rubber covers and used to hand hats, raingear, puppy leashes etc. Pretty handy....maybe. Sort of like the guy that decided he would do his own bathroom remodel on the mountain house we bought (unbeknownst to us). Although he owned the local Ace Hardware store apparently the only thing he had, or knew how to use, was a 22 oz. framing hammer and 16 penny nails, no matter how small the job. And, that hammer, he thought, was much better at smashing out holes in the sheetrock for access than trying to make measured cuts... All tongue in cheek of course.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by Maineiacs

So my plan to use 4 inch deck screws is out the window then?


Appreciate the confirmation of thickness and yes, I would never use screws longer than the overall depth of the anchor.

Present company excepted, there are some "all thumbs handymen" (and handywomen) who are extremely careful with making sure they use anchors the correct length, screws that match the anchor length (or are shorter than the anchors) and then use a 3" drill in a 1" hole.... So, "no" to the 4" deck screws and also be careful how deep you drill the hole for the anchors that were "carefully selected to prevent bottoming out in the shallow wall"......

[Sarge2]

3" deck screws... you guys crack me up... I'm in my office at the dept and I'm sure people think I'm crazy since I'm laughing my butt off...

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by Maineiacs

So my plan to use 4 inch deck screws is out the window then?


Appreciate the confirmation of thickness and yes, I would never use screws longer than the overall depth of the anchor.

Well now before you go "heaving the idea out the window" ....... consider this, if you have the DW hold a 2X4 piece of pressure treated on the outside when you screw in those deck screws I'm betting they'll never back out again.

[Sarge2]

Wow.... juat Wow....

[Camping family]

Originally Posted by flybouy

Well now before you go "heaving the idea out the window" ....... consider this, if you have the DW hold a 2X4 piece of pressure treated on the outside when you screw in those deck screws I'm betting they'll never back out again.

Hey then you have a board on the outside to attach other things to. Hanger for trash can, dog leash holder or a towel rack for wet towels. Just a few to think about.

[skids]

Use plastic pop anchors. Not ones for drywall.