Fixing to side wall of caravan

colboy · Member

Fixing to side wall of caravan

Possum3 · Guru

Colin your 2014 Millard in all likely hood would have a timber frame (Meranti) - But that is irrelevant - To affix a plate to external wall/s I would suggest you use a good bonding agent such as Bostik www.bostik.com/australia/en_AU/catalog/product/construction/apac/australia/product-seal-n-flex-fc/

Ensure you clean area well with white spirit, apply adhesive and attach bracket - note it will take several hours to hold and a couple of days to completely cure, so you will need to hold firmly with masking tape or such.

Drilling and screwing into external walls will risk damaging wiring running under panels. But if you believe you can successfully miss wiring - use 3mm pop rivets not screws, in addition to Adhesive.

-- Edited by Possum3 on Thursday 11th of November 2021 12:47:41 AM

Buzz Lightbulb · Guru

A really good bonding adhesive is Soudal's T-Rex Power. I've used the fast grab one. I'm told it's what chippies use nowadays. You won't need any screws unless it's to hole the plate in place.

colboy · Member

Thanks Possum and Buzz, very helpful. I did think of pop rivets after I posted, and will go that way rather than screws. Thanks for both suggestions on adhesive too. Cheers and happy travels.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Yea still using drill though . Sikoflex is way better for bonding .

Rob Driver · Guru

An item called a Rivnut may be able to be used.
A Rivnut will provide an internal thread on the wall which a bolt or fitting may be attached.
Using Rivnuts will provide a flat surface on the side of the van for when any mounting hardware is not attached.
When using a Rivnut locating and using a wall stud will make the fitting more secure if the stud is suitable.

Cassie63 · Senior Member

Try Sikaflex 221

PeterD · Guru

What is the wall construction of the van? If it is not composite foam sandwich style then I would not be sticking anything to the aluminium siding. I would be looking for studs to attach brackets to.

To see how the framed vans are constructed see Self Build Guide - 8. Insulate, Cladding, Corners and Design Ideas. There is no mention of the aluminium sheets being glued to the frames. When each siding strip is being attached, the top edge is pushed into the bottom of the Pittsburgh seam on the bottom of the upper sheet. The bottom of the sheet is then stapled to the frame. The staples are the only thing holding the aluminium if the same construction method is used.

-- Edited by PeterD on Friday 12th of November 2021 09:58:06 AM

SoloMC · Senior Member

Firstly determine the construction of your van. If its framed with aluminium side panels you can use a fixing, screw etc to secure it.
If its a sandwich panel construction, Contact sika and they will advise on one of the hundreds of products they make that is the most suitable. You must follow the instructions on preparing the surfaces to the letter.
Remember that most hard sided truck panels are just 'glued' using sikaflex alone. No screws, rivets etc
If you poke holes in the siding, you have just introduced a means for water ingress

iana · Guru

If using a glue substance, remember the strength of it relies on what it is bonding to, if its going against paint, then the strength is dependent on the bond of the paint to the structure. Glued surfaces depend on area, I would use a backing plate, and be screwing the pad eye hooks to the plate, then gluing the banking plate to the wall, a couple of rivets to hold it in place while the glue dried.

colboy · Member

Thanks for all the info guys, I should be able to get it sorted from here - cheers smile

-- Edited by colboy on Sunday 14th of November 2021 05:48:59 PM

Buzz Lightbulb · Guru

I just want to emphasise that T-Rex is really, really good. You won't be disappointed if you use it as a bonding adhesive. It's a little bit more expensive but it is, at least 10x better than other stuff that I've used.

colboy · Member

Thanks Buzz - Turbo, Flexi, Crystal, Xtreme - so many options - can you offer any advice on the difference between the options? I'll do some reading on their website as well.

Buzz Lightbulb · Guru

colboy wrote:
Thanks Buzz - Turbo, Flexi, Crystal, Xtreme - so many options - can you offer any advice on the difference between the options? I'll do some reading on their website as well.

In short, no, so good luck with your research.

I'm converting a side opening shipping container into a cabin. I've used many different tubes of adhesives. The guy at my local building materials place, NOT Bunnings, suggested that I try T-Rex. He said all the tradies were using it.

I've joined timber studs to walls and each other; steel angle iron to the container; even flag pole cleats to the side of the container to manage awnings. Nothing has given way. I even hit the studs with a sledge hammer and nothing happened. I feel that the wood would have split before the adhesive separated. It's even better than poxy adhesive.

Sorry to go on about it but I'm really impressed by the stuff. I'm sure you won't be disappointed if you use it as long as you prepare the surfaces as directed. As someone said, the paint will be the failure point so remove that.

PeterD · Guru

colboy wrote:
- the external sheeting is the narrow horizontal corrugated style.
Do I need to find the studs, I think the frame is meant to be steel. Otherwise, would it be safe to use short self tapping screws with silastic at the back of the plate?

Col, did you not see the warning I gave regarding attaching things to just the aluminium sheeting that is just held on by a few staples?

Rob Driver · Guru

Buzz Lightbulb wrote:
colboy wrote:
Thanks Buzz - Turbo, Flexi, Crystal, Xtreme - so many options - can you offer any advice on the difference between the options? I'll do some reading on their website as well.
In short, no, so good luck with your research.

I'm converting a side opening shipping container into a cabin. I've used many different tubes of adhesives. The guy at my local building materials place, NOT Bunnings, suggested that I try T-Rex. He said all the tradies were using it.

I've joined timber studs to walls and each other; steel angle iron to the container; even flag pole cleats to the side of the container to manage awnings. Nothing has given way. I even hit the studs with a sledge hammer and nothing happened. I feel that the wood would have split before the adhesive separated. It's even better than poxy adhesive.

Sorry to go on about it but I'm really impressed by the stuff. I'm sure you won't be disappointed if you use it as long as you prepare the surfaces as directed. As someone said, the paint will be the failure point so remove that.

For interest I did a google on T Rex.

There are several items listed under adhesives. Some even come as a two part product.

Many of the products list look similar to a *no more nails* products. What is the product number of the TRex you are recommending or using?

As mentioned above, Sikaflex is the product used for the assembly and fitting of truck panels and it is used by coach builders as the go to product for use to assemble the side panels during building and assembly. It is also recommended by caravan repairers and boat builders.

Sikaflex also have several products listed and it will depend on the intended use.

-- Edited by Rob Driver on Tuesday 16th of November 2021 02:32:40 PM

Buzz Lightbulb · Guru

Rob Driver wrote:
Buzz Lightbulb wrote:
colboy wrote:
Thanks Buzz - Turbo, Flexi, Crystal, Xtreme - so many options - can you offer any advice on the difference between the options? I'll do some reading on their website as well.
In short, no, so good luck with your research.

I'm converting a side opening shipping container into a cabin. I've used many different tubes of adhesives. The guy at my local building materials place, NOT Bunnings, suggested that I try T-Rex. He said all the tradies were using it.

I've joined timber studs to walls and each other; steel angle iron to the container; even flag pole cleats to the side of the container to manage awnings. Nothing has given way. I even hit the studs with a sledge hammer and nothing happened. I feel that the wood would have split before the adhesive separated. It's even better than poxy adhesive.

Sorry to go on about it but I'm really impressed by the stuff. I'm sure you won't be disappointed if you use it as long as you prepare the surfaces as directed. As someone said, the paint will be the failure point so remove that.
For interest I did a google on T Rex.
There are several items listed under adhesives. Some even come as a two part product.
Many of the products list look similar to a *no more nails* products. What is the product number of the TRex you are recommending or using?
As mentioned above, Sikaflex is the product used for the assembly and fitting of truck panels and it is used by coach builders as the go to product for use to assemble the side panels during building and assembly. It is also recommended by caravan repairers and boat builders.
Sikaflex also have several products listed and it will depend on the intended use.

-- Edited by Rob Driver on Tuesday 16th of November 2021 02:32:40 PM

Look up Soudal's T-Rex Power. I used the 'quick bond' or 'quick set' one. It has a red label.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

I would use BOTH mechanical and glue methods . I doubt no one is saying one type only ? Same with fitting solar panels . You need a reasonable amount surface area to glue to !!

Rob Driver · Guru

Buzz Lightbulb wrote:
Rob Driver wrote:
Buzz Lightbulb wrote:
colboy wrote:
Thanks Buzz - Turbo, Flexi, Crystal, Xtreme - so many options - can you offer any advice on the difference between the options? I'll do some reading on their website as well.
In short, no, so good luck with your research.

I'm converting a side opening shipping container into a cabin. I've used many different tubes of adhesives. The guy at my local building materials place, NOT Bunnings, suggested that I try T-Rex. He said all the tradies were using it.

I've joined timber studs to walls and each other; steel angle iron to the container; even flag pole cleats to the side of the container to manage awnings. Nothing has given way. I even hit the studs with a sledge hammer and nothing happened. I feel that the wood would have split before the adhesive separated. It's even better than poxy adhesive.

Sorry to go on about it but I'm really impressed by the stuff. I'm sure you won't be disappointed if you use it as long as you prepare the surfaces as directed. As someone said, the paint will be the failure point so remove that.
For interest I did a google on T Rex.
There are several items listed under adhesives. Some even come as a two part product.
Many of the products list look similar to a *no more nails* products. What is the product number of the TRex you are recommending or using?
As mentioned above, Sikaflex is the product used for the assembly and fitting of truck panels and it is used by coach builders as the go to product for use to assemble the side panels during building and assembly. It is also recommended by caravan repairers and boat builders.
Sikaflex also have several products listed and it will depend on the intended use.

-- Edited by Rob Driver on Tuesday 16th of November 2021 02:32:40 PM
Look up Soudal's T-Rex Power. I used the 'quick bond' or 'quick set' one. It has a red label.

Thank you

colboy · Member

PeterD wrote:
colboy wrote:
- the external sheeting is the narrow horizontal corrugated style.
Do I need to find the studs, I think the frame is meant to be steel. Otherwise, would it be safe to use short self tapping screws with silastic at the back of the plate?
Col, did you not see the warning I gave regarding attaching things to just the aluminium sheeting that is just held on by a few staples?

Yes thanks Peter, I did see your warning and I've taken heed and will follow your advice - I assume your concern is over the TRex comment/question I made to Buzz - just asking questions and educating myself, thats all blankstare