TrailManor Owner's Forum  

Go Back   TrailManor Owner's Forum > TrailManor Technical Discussions > Exterior
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Mark Forums Read

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 03-25-2023, 04:51 PM   #1
BaconLover
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 83
Default 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!
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_2975.jpg
Views:	38
Size:	3.79 MB
ID:	21775   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_2976.jpg
Views:	38
Size:	2.83 MB
ID:	21776   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_2977.jpg
Views:	40
Size:	2.48 MB
ID:	21777  
__________________
2021 TM 2922KB
2000 Dodge Ram Quad Cab 5.2L V8
BaconLover is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2023, 06:17 PM   #2
Shane826
TrailManor Master
 
Shane826's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 1,818
Default

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!
Shane826 is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2023, 08:40 PM   #3
BaconLover
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 83
Default

Hahaha! So true. Thanks for your responses on the FB group!
__________________
2021 TM 2922KB
2000 Dodge Ram Quad Cab 5.2L V8
BaconLover is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2023, 01:39 AM   #4
Wavery
TrailManor Master
 
Wavery's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 2,824
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by BaconLover View Post
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!
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.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_3644.jpg
Views:	41
Size:	2.70 MB
ID:	21778  
__________________
TrailManor Elkmont
640W solar- 230AH LiFeP04 Battery
Wavery is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2023, 03:32 PM   #5
Shane826
TrailManor Master
 
Shane826's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 1,818
Default

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!
Shane826 is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2023, 03:37 PM   #6
Wavery
TrailManor Master
 
Wavery's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 2,824
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Shane826 View Post
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?
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
Wavery is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 03-27-2023, 03:09 PM   #7
ShrimpBurrito
Site Sponsor
 
ShrimpBurrito's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Sunny Beaches of Los Angeles
Posts: 3,233
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Wavery View Post
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.
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
ShrimpBurrito is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 04-04-2023, 01:20 PM   #8
donrolla
New Member
 
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 2
Default 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?
donrolla is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-04-2023, 05:34 PM   #9
Wavery
TrailManor Master
 
Wavery's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 2,824
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by donrolla View Post
not to hijack this thread, but can that tape be used to fasten kayak mounts to the top of the trailer?
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
Wavery is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 04-05-2023, 07:20 AM   #10
oldstick
TrailManor Master
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: GA
Posts: 504
Default

If you can find a good location that will not interfere with anything inside, what about drilling all the way through and securing with small bolts, washers and nylon lock nuts? Using a good adhesive/sealer of course. Not that I have tried this before, but just wondering if anyone has.

Any kind of tape seems like begging for a missing camera somewhere down the road, IMO.
oldstick is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:33 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 2022 Trailmanor Owners Page.