Screws falling off

[pscole]

Good afternoon everyone,



Been reading mostly on the site just never posted.



Problem: Just took a 500 mile round trip. Got home last night and noticed that some of the screw heads on the front edging (metal strip that holds the seam together with screws in it) have fallen out. Just out of courtiouisity I got a screw driver out to see if any other were lose. Low and behold I found about 10 that the screw head had sheard off.



Anyone experience this or have any suggestion of cause and how to repair?



I have an appointment to get it fix. Just want to make sure I can get it taken care off. We have a 25 day road trip of the western states starting in late July.



Thanks for the help. Pete

[Stan]

Those trim screws often loosen up and I check them periodically. If you have that many heads broken, then they were either tightened too much or you have some flexing of the joints.

[pscole]

Thanks, is that a matter of keeping them tight so they don't flex or is that a bigger problem?



Pete

[mwebber78]

Well, there are a few things you can do. I have had great sucess by removing the screws, inserting a toothpick, Gorilla wood glue and tightening the screw only as tight as it takes to keep the trim flush.



Once the glue cures it will harden, expand and grasp the screw.

[fhenn]

I did the same a mike, except I replaced the screws with new stainless screws

[pscole]

Maybe, I'll try that. Just seems like the screws that are there now are very cheap. When you guys say to insert the toothpick, I'm assuming that you are leaving it in the hole so that it tightens up the screw.



I will definately do that once the dealer taps out the screws that have sheared off.



thanks guys. Pete

[mwebber78]

Don't forget the Gorilla glue on the toothpick and threads of the screw! That's what really sets it in there.

[Hunter11]

I am replacing all the screws on the exterior and slides of our trailer with stainless screws. A little dab of silicon on the threads before installing them and they are good to go.

[mwebber78]

I could never find any SS screws around here that have the same tappered head and thread size with painted heads on them.



I'm too lazy to buy regular ones and paint the heads white.

[mapachoo]

We got our ss screws with the white paint on them at Lowes.I took the whole front skin down and was able to remove most of the broken screws after the molding and the skin were out of the way . I also added butyl bead tape to the molding when we replaced them as it fills the void better and I felt would give us a better seal.We got the sealant from a route 66 dealer. Camping world was out of stock at the time.

[mwebber78]

Thanks - I will look at Lowe's.