Can I drill under here

[cazual6]

Team, need your help. I want to add a second sewage hose storage underneath my Cloud19. My concern is percing something underneath. I will place the second hose storage next to the existing and follow the lines where the existing one is drilled. I am concerned where I plan to put it, there is something there. Can anyone tell me if ok to drill? I will use the shortest screw possible and maybe even add epoxy or some sort of glue weld. See pictures

[Tim A.]

I added one many years ago in exactly that spot in our 19'. I don't remember drilling into anything, but do recommend using a stop collar of some sort on the drill bit. The will help avoid drilling too deep and will also make it so the drill bit doesn't roll up a bunch of insulation.

You might consider using Rivnuts for mounting. A Google search will lead to what they are and videos on their use.

Tim

[cazual6]

Any chance you can send pictures? I am installing tomorrow.

[Rpatrick16]

Originally Posted by Tim A.

I added one many years ago in exactly that spot in our 19'. I don't remember drilling into anything, but do recommend using a stop collar of some sort on the drill bit. The will help avoid drilling too deep and will also make it so the drill bit doesn't roll up a bunch of insulation.

You might consider using Rivnuts for mounting. A Google search will lead to what they are and videos on their use.

Tim

That is a cool tool. Is it necessary to use the installation tool or can you just use the two wrenches as shown in the YouTube vids? Thanks for sharing this.

Pat

[mojo]

The belly pan is pretty thin material and don't think it will support the weight of the tube and sewer hose. I ran a 2 strips of aluminum stock (front and back) of the tube to the ribs where the belly pans are secured. Then you can mount the tubes to the strip and belly pan. Seems to provide solid mounting with no flexing of the belly pan.

[cazual6]

It's mounted. Used the same screw and length from the factory installed tube storage. Very easy.

[BillfromWI]

Upon returning from Alaska in September I discovered that one of the belly pan screws for sewer hose tube had fallen out. It was not the one screwed into the frame cross member. Rather it was screwed through a 2"x2" 1/16" thick aluminum plate Airstream had riveted to the belly pan. You have probably seen this method.

Some of the roads to and from Alaska were very potholed and you may not encounter the vibration and jolts I did so the Airstream method may be adequate.

I too wanted a second tube. For the belly pan attachment I installed a piece of 1-1/2" aluminum angle between the cross member the spare tire carrier it attached to and the next one back--the one the sewer tube is attached to. I attached it to the cross members with 1/4" Plusnuts (Sort of a toggle bolt version of a Rivnut. They will not come out. The comment above about using wrenches to install Rivnuts probably refers to Plusnuts. Rivnuts install with a tool that looks like a pop rivet tool.) I installed 1/4" T-nuts in the angle for the remaining attachment points. If you're thinking this is a little over engineered I'd probably agree.


I used #12 hex head sheet metal screws for the outside attachment points as you did, but I drilled the heads and safety wired them.

[tomsos]

I recently installed a spare tube but placed it in front of my rear bumper. I drilled holes directly into the frame members and used self-taping screws to hold the tube in place. I have now traveled several thousand miles with this tube in place with no issues.

[i2oadRunnei2]

As I sit here thinking this is a great idea, I've been pondering for nearly 5min thinking what in the world would I put in there?? So, inquiring minds want to know what you folks put in that tube?

[cazual6]

i put my second sewer hose. you could also put your fishing rod, a kite, outdoor mat/carpet, etc