Bedroom slide door pulling away from ceiling

quiglenj

Advanced Member
RV LIFE Pro
Joined
Jan 1, 2020
Messages
67
Location
Southern California
While laying in bed I noticed that fascia board that goes across the trailer had a 1/2" gap on the left side from the ceiling. I pulled off the fascia and found that the aluminum track for the slider was attached to a 2x3. This 2x3 is attached with 3 light screws, maybe #8 , screwed horizontally in the the wall. The screw on the left I pulled out and found that it had broken allowing that end of the 2x3 to fall down.

I plan on replacing the screws with heavier screw, maybe #10 but would like to add some more screws. Any chance that there is board that goes across the wall that would allow we to add a few more screws?

Thanks in advance
Neal
 
Generally the walls in these units are built similar to house walls, albeit not as well. So they are typically boxed with studs inside (not usually at a specific "inch on center"). So there likely is a top plate that you should be able to screw into. Just test it with a screw. You'll know if there's no top plate as you'll get little resistance. Just be sure you're not screwing into a vent pipe or something. Good luck!
 
Thanks for the reply, that is what I was thinking also.

I got in there and found only 2 #8 screws holding up that 36" sliding door header. There is a 3rd screw on the otherside toenailed in to the wall. This toenailed screw doesn't take any load while traveling as doors is secured open, opposite side of the header.

The screw on the passenger side broke at the wall. There are no brackets holding up this 2x3 that is fastened edge wise into the wall. Replaced the 2 screws and add 2 more. Used 4" #10's this time. Should be good for another year or two.

Thanks for the help
Neal
 
I just saw this post - We had the same failure on the bedroom door at the beginning of our trip to Alaska this year (brief sequence of me fixing it in our first AK youtube video). Now, the kitchen door has failed in the the same way - these screws just break off in the wall. The problem with the kitchen side is you cannot access that header as it is sandwiched between the shower/closet and the kitchen cabinet. Really sucks. I will just drill a new hole in header below the old one and insert a #14 screw and hope for the best. Not impressed with how they put this together.
 

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