dicnic
Boynton Beach, FL
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Joined: 07/14/2004
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It irks me to death to continue to replace rusted screws, clamps and brackets on our rig just because Nationsl was too cheap to use stainless steel.
I replace the rusted junk with stainless hardware IF I can find a stainless steel replacement. Looks better and does not rust easily.
It is difficult to understand why the manufacturers, knowing that most RVs sit outside all year round, do not use stainless steel hardware on all external fasteners. Just because of the cost, I assume.
2001 National Tradewinds LTC, 2005 Jeep Liberty Limited toad, M & G air brake, Blue Ox base plate and tow bar.
One "Bald-Headed Old Guy" (me),
One "Jewish-American Princess" (DW)
Two Birman Cats, "Mocha" & "Coco"
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usmohls2@yahoo.com
CA
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Joined: 04/21/2006
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If the manufacturer used all stainless then we would complain about the price being to high.
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Corkey05
Washington State
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Joined: 06/04/2005
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I replace with stainless when I need to. It amazes me how prone RV's are to rust, yet many of my vehicles have never seen a garage and never rust. Go figure 
2008 HR Endeavor PDQ - Blazer 4 Down
FMCA F374292
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West Coast FT
California
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Joined: 11/24/2005
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Actually I've foung odd sized screws a bigger issue why use #6 #8 or #10 when #7 and #9 will p#ss the owner off years later.
TV 02' Chevy Silverado 3500 8.1 liter 4X4, Rancho 9000, Airlift Airbags 2 Honda EU3000,plus paralleling kit (6000 Watts peak!)
Old Rig (03' Lance 1161) Boy I missed it!
New Rig (05' Cedar Creek 37RDQS)
Second new Rig 1996 Damon Intruder 325B
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WadenCeeJay
Spring, Texas
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Joined: 01/31/2008
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dicnic wrote:It irks me to death to continue to replace rusted screws, clamps and brackets on our rig just because Nationsl was too cheap to use stainless steel.
I replace the rusted junk with stainless hardware IF I can find a stainless steel replacement. Looks better and does not rust easily.
It is difficult to understand why the manufacturers, knowing that most RVs sit outside all year round, do not use stainless steel hardware on all external fasteners. Just because of the cost, I assume.
Yep. This is on my list of things to do. I bought a stainless steel screw
kit and just use what is close in size. Sometimes I feel like getting a
new screw in there actually tightens things up a bit too.
If they had done it already, you wouldn't have an upgrade to do yourself.
What fun is that? :0)
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Fishinghat
Western Washington, USA
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Joined: 10/03/2002
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I tried to replace some rusted out sheet metal screws with stainless steel but couldn't since the stainless was too soft to make it's own "threads" in the steel frame of the coach. I had to use regular steel sheet metal screws. On the other hand, the originals lasted 15 years, so another 15 is longer than I'll own it.
I suppose I could have gone to a specialty fastener supply house and bought some hardened stainless screws, but I didn't want the screws to be worth more than the coach.
Holiday Rambler Navigator DP, Hummer, and Honda VT1100C Shadow
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dodgebob08
Mississippi
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Joined: 07/30/2009
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i found a lot of stuff that i just wish they had put a fastener in at all. most (i'm not saying all) of the RV manufacturing industry has a long way to go on quality. maybe the ones that survive will learn something.
2008 Dodge 2500 MegaCab CTD
2006 Copper Canyon 295RLS
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dons2346
Sioux Falls, SD, formerly of So. CA
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Joined: 11/21/2001
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There are over 100 different grades of stainless. If you get the wrong one and install it into steel, guess what? It will rust!Plus you will get the famous galvanic corrosion where the less noble metal will disintegrate. Stainless isn't necessarily the answer to rusting hardware.
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Big Katuna
Deland, FL
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Joined: 12/27/2003
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There are about 60 different grades but 5-6 grades make up about 90% of all fasteners available.
What I do when I get a new motorhome is to take a piece of cardboard and a fine point Sharpie and start walking around the motorhome with the appropriate tools and remove one of every screw, lag bolt, etc and stick it into the cardboard with a description, location and quantity. Tailights, trim, awning brackets, step trim, etc.
Then take it to a good fastener house and get SS fasteners.
When you replace the steel originals, wipe a dab of NO-OX anti oxident and you will never have a problem and they will look good forever.
My Kharma ran over my Dogma.
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BIKERK9
Santa Cruz, CA
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Joined: 02/13/2009
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I get my stainless and chrome hardware from
West Marine (marine grade).
Never had any significant rust on any of my fishing boats
harbored in the bay from the salt water, salt air or electrolysis.
I don't have time to do jobs over, so...I use stainless fasteners
and washers on all modifications and when ever doing repairs
along with stainless brackets when available.
DoggyDaddy
2008 Damon Outlaw 37', WH-24, 8.1 GMC
Class A Toy Hauler
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