Check your awning screws

**DaveMatthewsBand** · 07-14-2018, 02:43 PM

I am on my phone Boondocking on the beach with not a great cell signal so I didn’t want to spend hours searching to see if this was already covered... It’s a beautiful 68 degree day here in Long Beach, Washington so I’m doing a little preventive maintenance and I happened to check the little 10mm screws holding the awning to the wall and noticed half of them are stripped out. I don’t know what is holding this thing onto the wall.
Has anyone re-drilled new holes to fix this?
And if so, do you have any recommendations on type and size screws I should use?
Since we live in ours full-time I have no desire to take it to a dealer and have them work on it.

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**BabyBober** · 07-14-2018, 02:51 PM

I don’t mean to sound flippant in this response but since it is only going into the outer wall and the screw is stripped, pull it, head to a hardware store and get a larger diameter screw the same length and silo Len the hole before inserting it. So if it is. #10x1”get a #12or #14 ...

Jim

**Cate&Rob** · 07-14-2018, 03:04 PM

Once upon a time, there was an RV company that fastened the awning to the wall with screws. The screws pulled out and they discovered "molly" or "oscar" rivets. Then, they forgot and started using screws again . . . and the awning rail came off. Once again they discovered oscar rivets and the problem was fixed. And so on . . . this cycle repeats every few months since 2014.

See this thread and particularly post #39 of this multi-year discussion https://www.mygrandrv.com/fo...ht=oscar+rivet

These rivets have wide "wings" that spread out behind the wall surface and hold really well. Production is supposed to be 3 or 4 rivets at each end of the rail with screws for the rest of the holes.

Rob

**DaveMatthewsBand** · 07-14-2018, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by Cate&Rob

Once upon a time, there was an RV company that fastened the awning to the wall with screws. The screws pulled out and they discovered "molly" or "oscar" rivets. Then, they forgot and started using screws again . . . and the awning rail came off. Once again they discovered oscar rivets and the problem was fixed. And so on . . . this cycle repeats every few months since 2014.

See this thread and particularly post #39 of this multi-year discussion https://www.mygrandrv.com/fo...ht=oscar+rivet

These rivets have wide "wings" that spread out behind the wall surface and hold really well. Production is supposed to be 3 or 4 rivets at each end of the rail with screws for the rest of the holes.

Rob

Thanks Rob!

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**DaveMatthewsBand** · 07-14-2018, 03:31 PM

Originally Posted by BabyBober

I don’t mean to sound flippant in this response but since it is only going into the outer wall and the screw is stripped, pull it, head to a hardware store and get a larger diameter screw the same length and silo Len the hole before inserting it. So if it is. #10x1”get a #12or #14 ...

Jim

Thanks Jim, I was asking for advice, because I don’t know if these screws are just in the outer wall or if they went into the aluminum superstructure.

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**BabyBober** · 07-14-2018, 03:40 PM

Originally Posted by DaveMatthewsBand

Thanks Jim, I was asking for advice, because I don’t know if these screws are just in the outer wall or if they went into the aluminum superstructure.

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Even if it by chance does go into a metal backing plate (which I doubt). It isn't thick so the exact same principal applies. Just don't go excessively longer as that may cause you other issues.

**DaveMatthewsBand** · 07-14-2018, 04:06 PM

What do you think of using construction adhesive as well? I only suggest it because I’ve seen people use that stuff to hang mirrors that weigh several hundred pounds.
Both the awning bracket and wall are flat smooth surfaces. Seems like it would help.
?

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**Cate&Rob** · 07-14-2018, 04:19 PM

DMB - The problem with construction adhesive is that you move the weakest point further down into the lay-up of the wall. You might be able to achieve a very strong bond between the rail and the outer surface of the wall, but the wall surface is held to the luan plywood underneath by a relatively weak glue. The same concept as those who use Command Strips to hang things inside and pull the wallpaper off the luan plywood underneath.

Better to reach through the whole wall lay-up with a mechanical fastener and grab all the layers.

Rob

**howson** · 07-14-2018, 04:39 PM

Adding yet another item to my PDI checklist...

**traveldawg** · 07-14-2018, 06:32 PM

This may not help, but.... I had the top awning screws pull out from my previous RV. I ended up putting through the wall bolts since larger screws didn't help and they really didn't screw into much other than fiberglass. Fortunately, where the bolts came through was inside cabinet and behind trim molding.

I think if the bolts showed on the inside I'd be inclined to try rivets.