2022 Hideout 20RDWE Ceiling Nails Popping Out

[Road King]

...anyone has any issues on their Hideout where the ceiling panel nails are popping out all over?

I took mine for a maiden voyage and when unloading from the three-day trip, I noticed the ceiling panel nails are popping out. See photos.

I already have an appointment with the dealer and he said it was a known issue. Grrr.

I'm guessing he will put a wooden strip over the nails popping out. We'll see. My appointment is next month.

[chuckster57]

Welcome to the forum

Looks like staples have backed out. Common repair is to use a nail set and small hammer followed by color matched putty. It’s not just a hideout or Keystone issue.

[Road King]

I could've done that but I'm pretty sure it will pop out again. Other staples are pushing out not yet exposed, and it will be once I hit the road. It's where the panels are stapled/nailed to the beams in the ceiling.

I need a permanent fix.

[JRTJH]

You likely won't find a "permanent fix"... Your trailer has wood rafters and 1/8" luan ceiling sheeting. The entire structure flexes and twists as it is towed down the road. No matter what you "try as a permanent fix" you'll find that 1/8" luan simply won't hold with an "invisible" staple/nail/brad securing it in place. As soon as you tow the trailer, the flexing will pull them out again.

You could try "larger screws" but they are not easily hidden in the ceiling and without washers, the luan isn't thick enough to hold them without pulling through as you tow.

I don't know of any trailer line that uses a wooden frame, luan and is towed on the highway that doesn't have the same problem. Some to a greater extent than others, but.....

If you attempt to glue the panels in place, every time you relevel at a campsite, the roof will buckle as it will no longer "give with the staples"....

Should you find a permanent fix, please post how you achieved it.... Lots of us would like to know the answer.....

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by Road King

I could've done that but I'm pretty sure it will pop out again. Other staples are pushing out not yet exposed, and it will be once I hit the road. It's where the panels are stapled/nailed to the beams in the ceiling.

I need a permanent fix.

I'd bet $$ that the "permanent fix" is just as already mentioned, they'll set those staples then putty over them or MAYBE the wood strips with more staples to work out at a later date.

[CedarCreekWoody]

Small screws with decorative washers (perhaps clear plastic) can be effective, just not invisible.

[dutchmensport]

My first two travel trailers used these on the ceiling with real screws. My first two trailers were wood framed. My next 2 were aluminum framed.

Click here

[Road King]

...just talked to the service advisor as I needed to reschedule my appointment date.

He basically said he was just going to push it in and/or use larger staples and putty it.

So... you guys were right in what the repair is going to be.

Question: I was going to install a ceiling mount for my TV instead of mounting it on the side of the camper where it was supposed to be installed. 32" TV. What do you all think?

Thanks!

~George

[JRTJH]

I wouldn't install a TV mount on the rafters. They are barely strong enough to support the weight of the roof structure and, as you've seen, with the twisting and flexing, staples don't stay secure in the roof. Having a TV "pulling down with every bounce" will only worsen the flexing in the rafter span from side to side. While it "may work without problems" it's not specifically the TV weight that you're supporting, it's the additional holes in that 1.5x1.5 "knotty pine rafter beam" that ony serve to weaken the already "not the best wood"....

I'd keep anything that's heavy (over about 5 or 6 pounds) and that is going to bounce during towing off the ceiling and on the walls where the frame has a mounting plate and is reinforced to support the intended weight.....

[Road King]

OK... just needed confirmation on what I was thinking.

Thanks!