Loose Table

[jlb27537]

Hi All,

First, I am not a carpenter, but am pretty handy. The dinning room table in our 2014 3150RL is screwed to the floor of the slide with 4 2" screws. They extend past the bottom of the mounting post 3/4". The floor of the slide appears to be plywood, maybe 1" thick. The screws are pretty small in diameter.

2 of the screws have pulled out of the floor.

At first I thought of putting a molly type device in, but since the floor is a sheet of plywood that won't work.

Maybe larger screws and more of them?

Thanks Jim

[Ozz]

Hi Jim, I agree with the larger screws, maybe the Lag screws

[CRUZIN 2]

Myself I would just move it about 1" either way from the last holes and screw it down again. Just what I would do.

[richfaa]

I would be wondering why they pulled out of the floor???

[Irlpguy]

Had a similar problem with out table and had to remove it to fix another issue, they are poorly built but I would not think a lag bolt is needed to hold it down.

I did exactly as Cruzin 2 suggests by moving it a bit, and I believe I used a #10 or #12 screw..

[DQDick]

Same here, screws coming out of the floor could indicate a bigger issue.

[Emmel]

I took the screws out and so far it hasn't been a problem. The last Montana was the same and this one is 4 years old.

[CORattler]

I would try inserting round toothpicks coated with Elmers glue into the holes and then reinserting the screws.

[CORattler]

This is also a good idea. Be sure to pre-drill the new holes.

quote:Originally posted by CRUZIN 2


Myself I would just move it about 1" either way from the last holes and screw it down again. Just what I would do.

[jlb27537]

OK a bit of update: The 4 screws are #8 2" square drive pan head.

They pulled out cause I am old. We keep the 30 packs of adult beverages behind the table next to the outside wall. If the table in in the travel position and I try and reach behind the table I put pressure on the end of it and I caused the screws to pull out because the damn screws are just too small.

I first though about drilling a 1/4" hole in the floor, glue in a dowel and then re-insert factory screw. (see above thoughts)

Next was to leave the screws out and use a strap system to hold table in place while traveling. OK. Problem is the base is so small, any leaning on the table during eating would cause table to tip. OK, not good.

Next, go to hardware store. Discover the OEM screws are #8. Find #14 wood screws, buy 4 of 2 lengths. Remembered the Harley Davidson Theory. If a 1/2" bolt breaks, do not try and figure out why. Install a 5/8" bolt and repeat test.

Tomorrow, install larger attaching devices....

Jim

[Ozz]

Ha! Good story Jim. We all customize our units for our lifestyles and individual needs. The reason I suggested the Lag bolts is that you can get a socket on the head of them, no slipping screwdriver points, and they come in all sizes. The screw hole you had will serve as a pilot hole for the next size up from what was there.
Good luck, and keep up the great sense of humor at your problem.
Ozz

[richfaa]

We took the screws out of our 06 3400 so we could move the table around to where we wanted it and they stayed out for 7 years without the table flying out of the camper.

[awaywego]

Make sure you do not go all the way through the floor. If you do they will go through the vapor barrier and drag on the carpet or vinyl when you bring the slide in. Just a suggestion,

[WaltBennett]

I've been accused of being contrary many times, so here's one more. Our Monty's table and chairs were unfastened when we bought it. Although I fretted about that, I took it home (~50 miles) with no problem. After playing around with it extended, retracted, 2 chairs, 4 chairs, etc., I put in some folding eye bolts to hold all three in place and picked up some cam lock straps. Used them once, then again, then left them off with the two non-folding chairs turned back to the outer wall - went for a three week trip with no problems ever. The cam lock straps are now in a cabinet until we decide to go off road or something.

[jlb27537]

quote:Originally posted by awaywego

Make sure you do not go all the way through the floor. If you do they will go through the vapor barrier and drag on the carpet or vinyl when you bring the slide in. Just a suggestion,

Yes, aware of that issue. If 4x #14 screws do not work, we'll try 8x #14 screws. I will get that table nailed down.....

Thanks Jim.

[mazboy]

just move the table over an inch and rescrew in.

[HOOK]

I would fill the holes with epoxy and reinstall the screws and let it dry. It will be very strong.

[Ozz]

I stand by my suggestion to use the existing 'wallowed-out' holes with a next-size, or larger screw, I prefer the lag bolts because you can use a socket on the heads. I back this up by 40 years of repairing similar situations in my business in Restraint repairs, and as a machinist.
Funny how excited we all get over a few loose screws, might be a few nuts in the crowd.. at least one: Me

[Irlpguy]

Really folks what you must remember here is that the floor material is 5/8" plywood and no matter what size screw you use that 5/8" material only has so much holding power.

Putting a larger screw in an already compromised section of the plywood makes no sense to me at all, however using a somewhat larger screw in a properly piloted new location will give you the best results.

You can only put so much torque on any screw that goes into any material, beyond that you are reducing the ability to hold, in anchoring the table legs you can achieve sufficient torque with a Robertson head screw. Also the greater the thread depth of a wood screw the better holding power you will have.

Now all you folks with a few loose screws, those with screws loose and the odd nut like OZZ and I, don't forget what you are screwing into.

[Papafish]

I would glue the stem of a golf tee (prob a perfect fit and hard) into the hole as a plug, shift the table over a bit and reinstall using no. 10 or 12 sheet metal screws. The threads on sheet metal screws are much more uniform than wood screws and don't tear up the wood when screwed in. Steve