Metal Framing Underneath Fifth Wheel

[HanKek11]

Hey! Seeking advice/input. We have a 2025 Montana High Country.

So there was a super fun clanking metal sound coming from our fifth wheel so we pulled over to inspect. We found this long piece of metal “framing” had unscrewed on one end. We detached it completely for now since we are mid-travel day. What is it for?? It was minimally attached and doesn’t seem very supportive. It was attached with two screws on one side and then one screw around piping, which does not seem like enough given the weight of the metal. We have several running left to right along the underside of our fifth wheel. Thanks in advance!

 

[Mikendebbie]

I went to look at mine just to make sure - but my rig does not have that strut.
I don't recall anyone in the forum noting something like that either.
Are you the original owner? It looks like someone installed it in the factory for (xxx reason?) attached it to the gas pipe + self-tap screwed it to the other side and forgot to remove it before it went out the door. The ring attached to the gas pipe was a firm attachment, but anything screwed into coroplast plastic bottom is not going to hold during transit. Leave it off and put the metal in your bone pile...you may need it to fix something else one day.

The screen shot below is from a factory tour youtube in 2019 and you can see the underside of the frame after attaching the coroplast bottom and as they are flipping it over to start work on the floor. There is no "brace" at that location.

 

[Carl n Susan]

Being that this is a 2025 RV, could Montana be adding a stiffener to keep the coroplast from drooping?

 

[HanKek11]

Thanks for your reply! Yes, we are the original owners so no one before us besides the factory and the dealer owned it. It doesn’t seem to do anything, maybe it’s oddly cosmetic?? There are several others installed, and they all have used self-tapping screws in such weird ways. I don’t know much, but they look weird and not well installed. They aren’t secured into the framework to provide obvious structural support. So confused. There is one more in the back and two more in the front. All just using self-tapping screws into the underside. One though, not so much…I can’t even make this up lol. See photos.

 

[HanKek11]

Being that this is a 2025 RV, could Montana be adding a stiffener to keep the coroplast from drooping?

That was what I’m leaning towards. The other three bars are attached in similar ways with self-tapping screws. I’m worried the others will bounce off as well in time. We are traveling a lot being full time.

 

[Carl n Susan]

Self tapping screws into the frame have been used on the coroplast for years. It makes sense (in Keystone's world) that the Old World's Craftsmen would use the sane approach for stiffeners. But those stiffeners, if that is hat they are, weigh a lot more than coroplast. I would be using some bolts with Nylocks in place of some of the self tappers.

 

[MandK]

Our 2021 Montana 3121 had 2 pieces of channel that ran side to side up front on the drop frame section. They were attached to the frame flanges using self drilling screws. I never had any issues with them and never needed to remove them to see if they supported anything else other than the coroplast. I don’t think they did because I could push the coroplast up an inch or two right above them.

 

[HanKek11]

Self tapping screws into the frame have been used on the coroplast for years. It makes sense (in Keystone's world) that the Old World's Craftsmen would use the sane approach for stiffeners. But those stiffeners, if that is hat they are, weigh a lot more than coroplast. I would be using some bolts with Nylocks in place of some of the self tappers.

Okay thanks! Yeah the pieces of frame are fairly heavy.

 

[HanKek11]

Our 2021 Montana 3121 had 2 pieces of channel that ran side to side up front on the drop frame section. They were attached to the frame flanges using self drilling screws. I never had any issues with them and never needed to remove them to see if they supported anything else other than the coroplast. I don’t think they did because I could push the coroplast up an inch or two right above them.View attachment 1329556

Okay thanks! We have two up front and two in the back (well one in the back now…). Yeah I’m leaning toward that it’s just keeping the chloroplast in place so it doesn’t bow down. The weight and size of these frame pieces seem excessive if it’s just doing that though, but I also know so little about RVs still.

 

[scottz]

My 2017 has a couple of those braces near the back of the rig, under the fresh water tank. Also, one maybe two up front under the black & gray (shower) holding tanks. I think they are extra supports for the tanks. Mine were also attached with a couple of self-drilling screws; ridiculous. Those screws were change out many years ago with bolts & nuts.

 

[HanKek11]

My 2017 has a couple of those braces near the back of the rig, under the fresh water tank. Also, one maybe two up front under the black & gray (shower) holding tanks. I think they are extra supports for the tanks. Mine were also attached with a couple of self-drilling screws; ridiculous. Those screws were change out many years ago with bolts & nuts.

Okay, thanks! Yeah I’m like how are just small screws used?!

 

[scottz]

Okay, thanks! Yeah I’m like how are just small screws used?!

Quick and easy (with a power driver) is chosen over doing the job right; it's up to you to fix it.

I would put the braces back up using bolts & nuts through the outer flange. I actually added three additional braces under the drop section to make my frame stiffer and support the holding tanks. Also added three Morryde X-factor braces. I have not had any frame or cross member related problems.

 

[Daryles]

It keeps the coroplast from sagging.
Last year I took the coroplast down to do some work in the underbelly.
Before putting the coroplast back up I added a 2"×4"×8' down the middle of the frame between the cross frame supports above the axles to support the coroplast. I knotched out the 2x4 to fit between the zig-zag wire frame of the cross frame supports and fastened it on using pipe strap. When I put up the coroplast I used 2.5" screws and big fender washers screwed into the 2x4.

 

[HanKek11]

That’s a great idea! And removes the unnecessary weight of the metal bars. It seems overkill to put up the heaviest metal bars just to hold up a little sagging too. Thanks for sharing!