Screws in body molding

[reace]

On units produced between 2005 and 2008, a support block for the kitchen was anchored in place using screws which were installed from the exterior through the body moulding.  After some wear and tear and time, the screws can loosen a bit and the potential is there for water to seep in.

To check if your unit has been built this way, pull off the black trim in the area as shown below.  There should be 4-5 screws in the area of the kitchen.  Remove one screw at a time and squeeze some silicone into the hole....enough that it will fill a bit of the cavity between the trailer body and molding.  Re-insert the screw.

If there are no screws (only rivets) in the body molding, the anchor block has been attached by another method.

Reace

[escape artist]

Hi: Reace... Thankyou for this alert. On our 5.0 I have replaced the screws that are visable from the outside, thru the cut ends of the black moulding, with S/S ones of the same size/length. A- was that a good thing to do, and B- should I have added some sealant before inserting the new screws??? The heads of the 4 screws( 2 each side) that were in there were rusty!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[reace]

Hi Alf

We now use SS screws there also.  You could also use silicone in this area but it is not much of a concern for leaking as the screws actually bite into the fiberglass to anchor the screw. 

[gocamp]

What is the purpose of the body molding, a decorative strip to cover the seam? or do the screws penetrate both top and bottom mold lips to provide structure strength?

[escape artist]

Hi: reace...I found the situation on "Our Escape Hatch" just as your pic's. and description said. I bought 4 S/S #8X 1 1/2" screws for $0.50 and added some Butyl tape to the threads and a small nylon flat washer and replaced them one at a time. The black band fit back just as before!!!
Thanks for your care and concern. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[escape artist]

What is the purpose of the body molding, a decorative strip to cover the seam? or do the screws penetrate both top and bottom mold lips to provide structure strength?

Hi: gocamp...As clean and neat as the seam is done by Escape, it still shows. The metal strip with the black band is only trim. The structural strength is in glassing the top/bottom together while still wet in the molds and allowing it to dry as one!!! Adding the wood blocks on the inside by tabbing with resin and glass mat allows the interior cabinettes to form part of the "Uni-Body" of the trailer and ensures each trailer is formed the same. IMHO Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie