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03-25-2023, 04:51 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 83
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Screwing into Exterior Shells
OK, need some advice here - I posted this on the FB site too but thought that some people who know might not be on that site.
We bought a camera from Ford so we could use the aux camera input on our F-150 on the back of our TM. We tried different locations on the top and back of the TM and have found the spot (see pictures).
Question: for those of you who have actually screwed things into the exterior shells (like solar panels, cameras, etc.), what is the best way to do that and seal it? I'm really nervous about screwing things to the exterior of the TM.
We're going to mount the bracket as low as possible where the bracket sits flush with the TM vertical exterior, and we're going to try to avoid the curved part of the shell, since I'm assuming it's a bad idea to screw things in there. Thanks in advance!
__________________
2021 TM 2922KB
2000 Dodge Ram Quad Cab 5.2L V8
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03-25-2023, 06:17 PM
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#2
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TrailManor Master
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 1,891
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Dude… I’m experiencing deja vu all over again! ;0)
__________________
2007/21 TM 3326 (Pride of the Fleet)
2000 2720SL (Rebuild Project)
2002 2619 (Parts TM)
SMARTER THAN GOOGLE!
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03-25-2023, 08:40 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 83
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Hahaha! So true. Thanks for your responses on the FB group!
__________________
2021 TM 2922KB
2000 Dodge Ram Quad Cab 5.2L V8
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03-26-2023, 01:39 AM
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#4
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TrailManor Master
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 2,928
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BaconLover
OK, need some advice here - I posted this on the FB site too but thought that some people who know might not be on that site.
We bought a camera from Ford so we could use the aux camera input on our F-150 on the back of our TM. We tried different locations on the top and back of the TM and have found the spot (see pictures).
Question: for those of you who have actually screwed things into the exterior shells (like solar panels, cameras, etc.), what is the best way to do that and seal it? I'm really nervous about screwing things to the exterior of the TM.
We're going to mount the bracket as low as possible where the bracket sits flush with the TM vertical exterior, and we're going to try to avoid the curved part of the shell, since I'm assuming it's a bad idea to screw things in there. Thanks in advance!
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Why screw into the sheet metal?
3M VHB double side tape is about 100x strong than screws though the thin aluminum skin on the TM.
My solar panels and rear camera are all held on with the 3M VHB tape.
__________________
TrailManor Elkmont
640W solar- 230AH LiFeP04 Battery
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03-26-2023, 03:32 PM
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#5
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TrailManor Master
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 1,891
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Here comes that deja vu again…
Wayne do you use the camera while driving or just backing up? If while driving does the camera shake while going down the road?
__________________
2007/21 TM 3326 (Pride of the Fleet)
2000 2720SL (Rebuild Project)
2002 2619 (Parts TM)
SMARTER THAN GOOGLE!
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03-26-2023, 03:37 PM
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#6
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TrailManor Master
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 2,928
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Shane826
Here comes that deja vu again…
Wayne do you use the camera while driving or just backing up? If while driving does the camera shake while going down the road?
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The main reason that I put the camera on was for backing up into my car port, so that I know when to stop.
It also comes in handy in parking lots, etc. I do have it on while driving down the road and it is mildly helpful. It does not get shaky but the reception is in and out at highway speeds.
__________________
TrailManor Elkmont
640W solar- 230AH LiFeP04 Battery
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03-27-2023, 03:09 PM
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#7
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Site Sponsor
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Sunny Beaches of Los Angeles
Posts: 3,274
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wavery
Why screw into the sheet metal?
3M VHB double side tape is about 100x strong than screws though the thin aluminum skin on the TM.
My solar panels and rear camera are all held on with the 3M VHB tape.
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Ditto this! My three 100-watt panels are also all mounted with VHB tape -- they're still rock solid after several thousand miles.
Dave
__________________
2000 2720SL & 2007 3124KB
2005 Toyota Sequoia
Twin Battle Born 12v 100Ah LiFePO4 (BBGC2) batteries, 300W solar on rear shell, Link 10, Lift kit, Maxxis 8008 225 75/R15 E tires
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04-04-2023, 01:20 PM
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#8
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New Member
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 2
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what about Kayak mounts
not to hijack this thread, but can that tape be used to fasten kayak mounts to the top of the trailer?
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04-04-2023, 05:34 PM
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#9
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TrailManor Master
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 2,928
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Quote:
Originally Posted by donrolla
not to hijack this thread, but can that tape be used to fasten kayak mounts to the top of the trailer?
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The tape is far stronger than screws into that thin aluminum. If you feel comfortable using screws, you should feel far more comfortable using the 3M VHB tape.
Having said that, I would not feel comfortable mounting a kayak on a TM roof at all. JMHO
__________________
TrailManor Elkmont
640W solar- 230AH LiFeP04 Battery
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04-05-2023, 08:19 AM
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#10
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Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: The mountains of Scottsdale, AZ, and the beaches of Maine
Posts: 10,179
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Quote:
Originally Posted by donrolla
not to hijack this thread, but can that tape be used to fasten kayak mounts to the top of the trailer?
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Strength questions aside, remember that if you carry kayaks on the roof of the TM, you probably have to remove them before you can set up the TM. Unless the yaks are super light, the torsion bars won't be strong enough to lift them. And if they straddle the gap between the shells, they certainly have to come off. Not handy if you arrive at a campsite in the rain or after dark - or both.
Bill
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