Hydraulic Reservoir/Manifold Mount Failure

[FreeRoamn]

Gotta love an RV, always something to keep you busy fix'n! Anyone come across this? I went to remove my batteries before a trip to top them off and saw the hydraulic reservoir sitting on top of one of my battery boxes. I then realized the wood bracket that the reservoir & manifold for the all the hydraulics had come detached from the metal 5th wheel framing members it was mounted to. It appears the nails used to attached the wood bracket for all the hydraulic components had not penetrated the metal framing members and the whole shebang had fallen down! Of course I am 3 months out of my 1 year warranty but I have an extended warranty.

1. Not sure if I should just reattach it myself or

2. go through the warranty process? Seems straight forward to use large sheetmetal screws since you really can't bolt through the metal frame.

3. Any other brighter ideas out there?

Photo 1 - View of the reservoir sitting on battery box, hanging by hydraulic hoses.


Photo 2 - View of the mess of nails shot through the wood bracket.


Photo 3 - The mess of divots in the metal frame of the front of the 5th wheel from the nails not going all the way through.

[rohrmann]

If you are able, just get some self drilling TEK screws and reattach it back into position. There isn't anything magic here, just simple driving screws to put it in place. If you have to, remove the nails first. Not worth it to go back to the dealer. If you can't do it yourself, maybe a mobile tech would be a much better alternative.

[FreeRoamn]

Originally Posted by rohrmann

If you are able, just get some self drilling TEK screws and reattach it back into position. There isn't anything magic here, just simple driving screws to put it in place. If you have to, remove the nails first. Not worth it to go back to the dealer. If you can't do it yourself, maybe a mobile tech would be a much better alternative.

Excellent!!! Thank you, I have not heard of TEK screws but sounds like that should do the trick! You mean these but maybe in a pan head?: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Teks-12-...1384/100145370

[rohrmann]

No, not exactly. I was thinking more like these. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Teks-14-...1352/100196327


Much easier to drive with a hex socket driver in the drill. Use whatever length will put the threads of the screw in the metal you are anchoring the board to. And, #10 or #12 screws will work fine too, whatever you can find.

[Carl n Susan]

I agree with Bob, the hex head version is much easier to drive than the Phillips variety.

[FreeRoamn]

Originally Posted by rohrmann

No, not exactly. I was thinking more like these. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Teks-14-...1352/100196327


Much easier to drive with a hex socket driver in the drill. Use whatever length will put the threads of the screw in the metal you are anchoring the board to. And, #10 or #12 screws will work fine too, whatever you can find.

Ahhh...ok thank you!

[Rondo]

To make it a bit easier to drive the TEK hex head screws in, you can drill small pilot holes fist before using the hex head screws. The pilot holes need to be small enough just so you can start the cutting edges of the hex screws to start through the metal. Hold the reservoir up to where you want to mount it and mark where to drill your pilot holes and then drill the pilots and mount it with the hex head screws.

[FreeRoamn]

Originally Posted by Rondo

To make it a bit easier to drive the TEK hex head screws in, you can drill small pilot holes fist before using the hex head screws. The pilot holes need to be small enough just so you can start the cutting edges of the hex screws to start through the metal. Hold the reservoir up to where you want to mount it and mark where to drill your pilot holes and then drill the pilots and mount it with the hex head screws.

Thanks for the tip, I’m tackling this later today.

[mhs4771]

I always carry a small assortment of those Hex head screws, they come in mighty handy for all types of uses. Wouldn't travel without some.