My Work Could NOT Handle the Roads! Fixing My Own RV Projects.

2024-08-15
Chad

Traveling in an RV comes with a unique set of challenges. One of the biggest is dealing with the constant vibrations and sometimes violent shaking while on the road. If you haven’t been on our interstate system for a long trip in a while, you’re in for a rude awakening! Over time, even the best-engineered solutions can fail under the rigors of travel, and that’s exactly what happened with a few of my DIY projects. Today, I’m revisiting three specific repairs that didn’t hold up as well as I’d hoped, and I’ll share how I’m fixing them to ensure they last the long haul. Fingers Crossed!

Under-Bed Storage Broken Hinges

The first project I needed to address was the under-bed storage hinges. Initially, I upgraded the gas struts to accommodate a heavier mattress, but I didn’t consider the added pressure these struts would put on the original hinges. Combined with the constant vibrations from the road, the hinges eventually gave way, tearing right out of the plywood. This time, I’m reinforcing the hinges with sturdier materials and upgrading the struts again, aiming for a solution that can withstand the rigors of RV travel.

Wifi Access Point Fell From Ceiling

Another project that didn’t hold up was the installation of our wifi access point. Originally mounted using command strips, it stayed in place for a while, but eventually, the heat and vibrations caused the adhesive of the command strips to fail. After some research and realizing that the access point came with a mounting bracket. By some miracle, I found where I’d put the bracket over a year ago and decided to mount it securely using screws. This simple fix should keep it in place, no matter how bumpy the road gets.

Stackable Washer/Dryer Coming Apart

Lastly, I had to revisit the installation of our stackable washer and dryer. Previously, the dryer (on top) came loose from the washer and was completely free-moving in the cabinet. The initial fix involved securing the units with metal straps, but the vibrations caused the screws to work their way out over time. While I really wanted to try a rivet gun this time around, removing the stack to get access for the rivet gun was looking to be a huge chore! As luck would have it, while starting to remove the stack, I saw how Grand Design RV used silicone on other screw heads to stop them from backing out. I decided that was a much simpler fix, so I upgraded to thicker screws and applied silicone sealant to prevent them from backing out. It’s a straightforward fix, but one that I hope will stand the test of time (and our horrible roads).

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