I've had a number of RVs over the last 20 years and with all of them, I do a number of modifications. These always include running wires and often plumbing below the floor within the frame. This means I am always removing my underbelly material.
Historically, the industry typically uses hex-head, coarse thread screws with drill point heads. Tek is a brand but we commonly refer to these screws as Tek screws. In more recent years, some manufacturers have begun to use a combination of Tek screws and Coil Nailer nails.
I'm not much of a fan of the nails and they are not reusable. As such, when I remove nails during my projects, I replace them with Tek screws.
At the moment, with my Alliance Delta 262RB, I have pulled most of the underbelly down. I had to cut it into a couple of sections to pull it down. As I am nearly completed with projects within the frame, I am contemplating an alternate method of resecuring the underbelly material. Rather than use all Tek screws with fender washers, I'm considering using stainless steel PlusNuts or RivNuts with bolts and fender washers. I haven't decided which - or if at all.
I don't have access to my RV at the moment to know the I-beam flange thickness or flange width from edge to web. Having the flange thickness will determine the grip-range I need in a fastener and having the flange width will determine whether I use a PlusNut or a RivNut. The PlusNuts need some space to span out on the flange whereas the RivNut requires little space to mushroom out. I'm favoring RivNuts but have little experience using either.
I am certain that I will reenter my underbelly at some point down the road, so I want to choose the fastener that will stand up to a bolt being removed from it and reinstalled without allowing the fastener (PlusNut or RivNut) to spin. By the way, I'm thinking 1/4-20 on the fasteners as it seems like the right size for my application and threaded bolts in that size are plentiful.
This all said, does anyone care to comment or weigh in with their experience with the use of PlusNuts and RivNuts? Especially in thicker gauge steel substrates and especially with removing and reinstalling bolts into the fasteners over time.
Historically, the industry typically uses hex-head, coarse thread screws with drill point heads. Tek is a brand but we commonly refer to these screws as Tek screws. In more recent years, some manufacturers have begun to use a combination of Tek screws and Coil Nailer nails.
I'm not much of a fan of the nails and they are not reusable. As such, when I remove nails during my projects, I replace them with Tek screws.
At the moment, with my Alliance Delta 262RB, I have pulled most of the underbelly down. I had to cut it into a couple of sections to pull it down. As I am nearly completed with projects within the frame, I am contemplating an alternate method of resecuring the underbelly material. Rather than use all Tek screws with fender washers, I'm considering using stainless steel PlusNuts or RivNuts with bolts and fender washers. I haven't decided which - or if at all.
I don't have access to my RV at the moment to know the I-beam flange thickness or flange width from edge to web. Having the flange thickness will determine the grip-range I need in a fastener and having the flange width will determine whether I use a PlusNut or a RivNut. The PlusNuts need some space to span out on the flange whereas the RivNut requires little space to mushroom out. I'm favoring RivNuts but have little experience using either.
I am certain that I will reenter my underbelly at some point down the road, so I want to choose the fastener that will stand up to a bolt being removed from it and reinstalled without allowing the fastener (PlusNut or RivNut) to spin. By the way, I'm thinking 1/4-20 on the fasteners as it seems like the right size for my application and threaded bolts in that size are plentiful.
This all said, does anyone care to comment or weigh in with their experience with the use of PlusNuts and RivNuts? Especially in thicker gauge steel substrates and especially with removing and reinstalling bolts into the fasteners over time.