Bolt coming up thru floor, Cougar 24RDS

[AZtrailer]

So on our last trip we found a bolt coming up thru the floor. It actually stretched the vinyl flooring quit a bit more than in the picture. After the tow back home it went down to level with the flooring again. I put a piece of black electrical tap on it to help highlight it. Does anyone know if this bolt is the type that is threaded with a nut on the bottom side or is it self tapping and screws thru the flooring into the frame? I don’t want to open up the belly if there isn’t a hope of replacing a missing nut or tightening a loose one. Thanks!

[keyholeelf]

In mine they are self tapping screws going into the crossmembers on the frame.
I cut 2 sides of a triangle hole in the coroplast, reached in with a pair of vise grips and turned the screw until it was all the way down.
Then took a hammer and bent the screw enough to not back out. Be careful and don't break the screw.
Then I cleaned the coroplast with alcohol and used the high end gorilla tape. It holds for a couple of years. I just found out about skrim tape from another post, that is probably the better way to go.
I didn't drop the coroplast because doing it myself I would probably never get it lined back up to put on.

Donald

[jasin1]

is it possible to glue or screw a access hatch in the coroplast? maybe cut a square hole and sandwich the hatch with a plastic ring above the coroplast with screws…in case you ever want to get in there again?

[AZtrailer]

Originally Posted by keyholeelf

In mine they are self tapping screws going into the crossmembers on the frame.
I cut 2 sides of a triangle hole in the coroplast, reached in with a pair of vise grips and turned the screw until it was all the way down.
Then took a hammer and bent the screw enough to not back out. Be careful and don't break the screw.
Then I cleaned the coroplast with alcohol and used the high end gorilla tape. It holds for a couple of years. I just found out about skrim tape from another post, that is probably the better way to go.
I didn't drop the coroplast because doing it myself I would probably never get it lined back up to put on.

Donald

Thanks for posting your experience Donald! I'm going to open up the belly today and see what I can do from the bottom. I suspect what I've been referring to as a bolt is really more like a nail given how quickly these trailers are put together.

[chuckster57]

It is more likely a self tapping screw, and I hope there isn’t a holding tank in the way.

[AZtrailer]

Opened up the belly today and there it was...all by its lonesome self. As Chuckster57 predicted, a self tapping screw. You can see where they missed the cross member with one hole and just barely hit it with the other. This is a weak spot on the cross member as I could see where it has been flexing and pulling the bolt up and down through it. I first backed the screw down by double jamb nutting the screw and and tightening it from below. I decided to stiffen up the cross member with a piece of angle iron attached to it with screws and construction adhesive then put a lock washer and nut on the bolt with a little more construction adhesive to lock things in place. Hopefully it's good for life now!

Henry

[aktmracer]

Just found a bolt coming up in my trailer this weekend. Debating if it is worth taking it in for warranty with a couple other minor issues or saving myself the mental anguish and just fixing myself.

[BookPaul74]

Sorry but I'm lazy. Mine finally reared it's ugly head (Philips) I left the little plug that popped up. I screwed it back down and pushed the little plug pack into the hole. It's done it twice and I just tighten it down.

[GilaElkHunter]

I had one come up in mine last winter, left it alone as long as I could but finally this spring before camping season it cut a small x in the linoleum to see if I could screw it back down. It seemed like it was stripped so I was able to back it out. That thing is about 5'' long about a 5/16 bolt. I haven't opened up the underbelly yet to see what it is for, but thinking maybe the water tank.

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by GilaElkHunter

I had one come up in mine last winter, left it alone as long as I could but finally this spring before camping season it cut a small x in the linoleum to see if I could screw it back down. It seemed like it was stripped so I was able to back it out. That thing is about 5'' long about a 5/16 bolt. I haven't opened up the underbelly yet to see what it is for, but thinking maybe the water tank.

Screws installed through the floor are for flooring. Screws for holding tanks are installed from the bottom, or frame sides.

[GilaElkHunter]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

Screws installed through the floor are for flooring. Screws for holding tanks are installed from the bottom, or frame sides.

That makes me feel better. But a 5'' long 5/16'' bolt for 1/2''or 5/8'' plywood floor??

[chuckster57]

Yup!!! It’s probably a self tapping screw.