I'm on a two week shakedown trip with a new to me 2003 16' Scamp. I've got some screws that come loose and I screw them in tightly, then a day or two later I find them loose again or lying on the floor. The two screws on the heater have done this numerous times. They might be okay now as yesterday I really got them as tight as my muscles would allow. One screw under the heater, going in to fiberglass is coming loose on a daily basis. Is there some sort of adhesive that I need to get to put on problematic screws?
Fri, 03/06/2015 - 12:53
#1
Screws that keep coming loose
Try Loctite Thread Locker.
I would start with the "Removable" (Red) first, If they continue to unscrew themselves use the "Permanent" (Blue) thread locker.
Let us know how this works.
Happy Scamping !!!
By-the-way, you can get loctite at Home Depot or any auto parts store.
As Always,
Happy Scamping !!!
The Scamp screws that keep coming loose could be the result of tires out of balance. Early in our Scamp ownership I found that there is a LOT of vibration happening in the little trailer when a tire is even minorly out of balance. (I took a short ride back in the trailer once to see what was going on back there.) Screws come loose and eventually rivets will give up their holding power unless the tires are balanced. I had a tire "technician" once tell me that trailer tires do not need to be balanced. I asked him if he would volunteer to keep stuff tightened in my fiberglass trailer if he really believed that. He shut up and balanced my tires.
Once the screws that are holding components to wooden parts of the trailer came loose, I found that I had to refill the oversize hole before using ordinary household glue to hold the screw. A flat tooth pick jammed into the hole before replacing the screw works for me for a while. On the heater screws, I changed from the original screws to machine screws with self locking nuts.
However....having over 200,000 miles on our 13 footer over a 10 year period....replacing/repairing of screws has been a constant requirement of enjoying continued Scamp-abouts. I believe that the original unbalanced tire problem ruined the screw holes and created the minor maintenance problem. Replacing/repairing of rivets has so far been a rare occurance. (Only one so far)
Bob D
2005 13' Scamp "Lil Critter"
Brenda, AZ
I suggest putting a glob of a gel glue on the screw, before screwing it into the hole. That has worked for me.
Thanks for the recommendations, as the tires are balanced I'll start with Loctite. Awesome forum with wise members!