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What Is The Best Way To Mount Things To The Wall Of My RV?
What Is The Best Way To Mount Things To The Wall Of My RV?
by Jason
(Atlanta, Georgia)
How to Mount Things on the Wall of Your RV
How to Mount Things on the Wall of Your RV
I have a 2005 Coachmen Freedom Class C Motorhome that we purchased last year. Now that we have spent some time in it, we want to make some minor upgrades, and some will require screwing screws into the RV walls on the interior. (For example, adding a TV that is wall mounted)
I am familiar with doing these in homemade wood and drywall using Mollys or finding a stud. Is this similar for RVs?
What is the best way to go about doing this?
I don't want to mess up the RV by going too deep on a screw and causing issues.
Thanks for any insight you can provide.
ANSWER: Hi Jason, let me start off by saying that I do not recommend ever using screws, nails, molly bolts, etc., on any walls of an RV. By doing so, you run the risk of hitting wiring or causing severe damage to the walls of your RV. They are not constructed the same way the walls in your house are.
Depending on the type, make, model, and construction of your RV, you may be able to mount a TV on the wall securely. An alternative that I would recommend would be to use an under-cabinet TV Mount on one of your RV's overhead cabinets. There are all kinds of TV Mounting Brackets available, and I am sure that you will find one that works for you.
Now, if you want to keep decorative items, such as small Vases, Fake bowls of fruit, tiny Chihuahuas, etc. from sliding around on your countertops while going down the road, you might want to fasten them down with Earthquake (Museum) Putty.
Let's say that you want to permanently mount something on the wall of your RV, such as a Fire Extinguisher, small shelf, or towel rack. Your best bet is to use a Pop Rivet Gun rather than screws, etc. Please watch the video below to see how easy it is to rivet items to the wall of your RV.
I saw someone asking about curtains. I use spring rods. I've tried all the "tape" products. They do not like the heat and come off. I put them inside the valances.
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To hang curtains by: Cindy H
Use tension rods
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Rivets by: Anonymous
Have you tried Oscar Rivets? They're more expensive but a lot stronger on thin materials.
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Mounting things on outside walls by: Lynn
Be careful mounting things on the outside walls Of older motorhomes. We recently remodeled our 1996 Fleetwood Tioga Class C. We found that the Outside walls made of a composite material, not metal. There are a couple metal studs in the walls but not on a measurable degree.
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Hanging curtain rods by: Anonymous
I’m trying to hang some curtains rods for my 2006 Fifth wheel toy hauler- I tried command hooks and they do not extend long enough for the curtains to cover the blinds- I also tried Velcro and the weight of the small rod is too heavy and falls off. I’m going to try screws, for lack of a better option. I don’t hang much on the walls because we purchased our RV solely for camping & taking quads,dogs ,kids ect. But for the 2 things ( that’s are merely decorative) command hooks work very well, I live in the Pacific Northwest & Had no problem related to heat and the strips falling off and in transit both items have stayed in place.
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Command hooks by: Anonymous
I have used command hooks, but due to heat build up in the RV after a time the glue softens and they fall from the wall.
I'm with the SUGRU camp, a moldable glue. If you have it around you'll have a very versatile product for hanging, repairs and projects galore. Look it up to see users' projects. Fun, easy and effective. I love it.
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Drilling holes by: Wanda
So you said riveting is better, but you drilled a hole first. How do you know where to drill a hole and where not to? Btw, I enjoyed your video, but you didnt show drilling the hole and how far in you should go. I guess one would probably say as soon as the drill goes through, stop, and pull out. I just don't want to mess up anything on my airstream walls. Thanks so much.
I've found that combining two types of tape not only re-enforced the bond but enables removal later. I apply the thin type to the item and to the place where it will go.
All manufacturer prep instructions must be followed. Then I apply that exterior foam-style twin stick tape to the item having removed the two protective tapes from both. The bond is now glued to glue.
I then do the same for the tape on item and wall. Align the item to the wall and hold in place with braces, masking tape or wedge something heavy against it. After the instructed drying time the item should be stuck. To remove, heat gently with hair dryer and then slice a thin knife through the foam tape. Residual sticky can be rubbed off or using manufacturer recommended solvent. Hope this helps.
I like things hell-for-stout. To hang a towel rack, not at 16" centers, first mounted a piece of 1X4 on the wall screwed to the 16" center studs and then mounted the towel rack to the 1X4.
Used the router on the 1X4 to make it more decorative and finished with paint close to the wall color. This is a double bar and with two bath towels and hand towels hanging on it you don't notice the mounting 1X4.
Think about if it is going to be a permanent fixture or temporary. Permanent, anything goes, temporary, you need to use something that will remove clean. Permanent, figure out the weight, then location. To check your wall and ceiling there are many gadgets that you can use to keep you out of trouble with your mounting. Stud finders, inferred scanners, scopes, .....and more. Yes, the prices range extremely from 10 to a few hundred dollars it all depends on you and what you are comfortable with.
I find if you are mounting something heavy it's best to find a stud or 2 for additional support. If what you are mounting is semi-heavy I normally use paneling anchors with some epoxy adhesive on them while inserting them into the wall, let epoxy cure then mount item. If it is as simple as a picture, velcro is my go to.
I have read some of these posts and found some entreating, rivnut, riveting, are a couple that come to mind. Typically on RVs with fiberglass sides, the outer walls are made with aluminum studs and RVs with aluminum sides have wood studs. Inner walls all have wood studs. There are some exceptions. If you want to make it HOME don't be afraid to make changes. This is the smart way to do it, do your homework first.
HAPPY TRAVELS.
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Shower curtain rod, Hall curtain rod by: Liz Kendall
Hi I’m getting ready to install my hall curtains and my new shower curtains I have a 1976 Argosy 28 foot and I’m trying to figure out how to hang them. We bought this copper tubing from the plumbing department and we were going to use that to hang it and my husband wants to hang it down from the ceiling above spots
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wall anchors for mounting things to the wall by: Anonymous
Before I start I just wanted to say that the rivet gun is a great idea for only securing things to the wall that do not bear any weight.
I found some anchors that have a load rating of 40 lbs. each that are designed for paneling. I have used them to install a few overhead cabinets and display cases. without any issues as of yet. I have used 3 different type ranging 20 to 40 lbs. load rating. a couple of them use decking screws and one type uses machine screws. before trying anything first make sure you know how thick your wall is and there no utilities (water, gas, electric.....etc..) behind where you need to place the anchor. some type of anchors screw into the wall where some type you push into the wall and when you tighten the machine screw into it the anchor, it pulls the inside part of the anchor against the inner wall and pinches the wall tight. I found this type to be great with my coat hanger and a few other things where you need to leave part of the screw loose extending away from the wall in order to reach the hook on the back of what ever you are hanging. just practice SAFETY and measure several times and drill once. good luck with your endeavors.
Industrial Velcro at Home Depot is the best. I don't have to put decorator items away each time we move. Command strips are great and are my go to. However, if you are in a hot area, be careful with command strips on a wall that gets direct sunlight. They fall off
The key is the screw threads are best if they have a severe pitch. Machine screws and most common screws are designed to be used in wood or metal. The walls of the RV are like a thin panel. There is a screw called a "cabinet screw" that cabinet makers use because they work with thin sheets of wood.
The cabinet screw has a steep pitch and will hold well in thin material. DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN or you will put to much strain on the wall panel and rip a hole in it. If I’m sure it will be permanent then I glue a wood strip to the wall that will take a regular wood screw. I fasten the wood strip with the glue on it with the cabinet screws. The length of the cabinet screw should be the thickness of the strip you are gluing to the wall plus about 1/4" - 3/8" that will go through the thin wall panel with about 2 turns of thread.
The screws hold the wood in place while the glue dries. I like "Gorilla Glue". I would not use "Liquid Nails" because it takes too much pressure to get a good thin glue application.
When using glue use a nice THIN even coat of glue or it will drip. You have to cleanup and glue drips right away before they drip away from the wood strip.
I found the Command Wire Hooks very useful to hang small items like toothbrushe holders, fly swatter, dog leash, etc. They are more narrow than the big plastic ones.
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Command strips by: Anonymous
The command strips did not stick on the trailer walls...
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Command Hooks in Camper by: Anonymous
Command hooks have worked great for me in my camper until it gets hot and humid, then they fall off. A tip for removing self adhesive velcro strips on your walls. If you use a blow dryer to heat the strip, it will come off without pulling off any wallpaper with it. It will leave a sticky residue but it can be moved with Goo Gone.
I am definitely going to try the Sugru that someone recommended.
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Removal by: Anonymous
Great information on hanging things in the trailer. But what about removing a picture from the wall with out damaging the wall? It's factory installed and we want to remove and personalize
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How to mount? by: Anonymous
I'd like to install a medicine cabinet. Any suggestions?
I recently found a 'moldable glue' called Sugru. It forms a very strong bond, but with no holes!! Hooray! And big bonus, it's heat resistant up to something like 450 degrees.
We've mounted a paper towel holder as well as and iPad mount (which is pretty darn heavy) from my limited experience I can't say enough about it. And since we have a little extra we've found a ton of uses for it.
Bought ours at Lowes but they have a lot more colors online. To take it off you slice through it with an exacto knife, and then scrape the remainder off with your nails or a spoon or whatever. It's not permanent and there are no holes.. Hooray!!!
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You need a simple stud finder by: RVMike
Most RV's have 2 x 2 wood studs 16 inches on center. For less than $20 at Home Depot, get a stud finder.
you just hold it against the wall, turn it on. After a few seconds it will beep, telling you it is ready to go. SLOWLY move it sideways until it has steady tone. (they usually beep faster and faster as you near the edge of a stud, then go steady tone at the edge).
make a mark. Continue sliding the stud finder until it stops beeping. Then, SLOWLY go back towards your mark until you have steady tone again. Make a mark. This is the other edge of your stud. Half way between the two is the center of your stud, and is a great place to install a screw without having to worry about hitting electrical or plumbing, and is the strongest possible place to attach anything to your wall.
good luck and happy RV'ing!
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Command Strips and high temperatures by: Anonymous
Command Strips work great... unless you live where it's really hot. Ours fell off the wall last month when our trailer was in storage here in Phoenix. The package shows a recommended temperature range, and we definitely exceed it here. Even the new "outdoor" command strips don't have a high enough temperature tolerance. (It was only a calendar and similar lightweight items, so no harm done.)
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Thin wall anchors by: Tony
When I want to mount something heavy use thin wall anchors from Lowes. They screw in about 1/2 inch and hold a #6 screw. They hold well but are permanent.
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Curtain rods by: Kathy
Looking to change-out the drapes/curtains and I'll need to screw the "lightweight" curtain rods on the walls - do you think it will be OK to use small screws to attach rods to walls?
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Hanging things on RV walls by: Sharon Powell
My husband and I have been living full-time in our 38 foot 5th for 16 months. We have used screws to attach hook racks and baskets. I have hung some things up from the back of the cabinets for extra support and strength. You cannot live with fear. I use Command strip as much as possible but some things just meet to be screwed into the walls. This is our home, Period, and we do what we think is best. Enjoy!!!!
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things to hang on the wall by: Gigi
WELL VELCRO is well and good but what about the towel holder and toilet paper holder? Velcro just will not work. I'm going to go for the screws. Cross your fingers and hold your breath.
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Fastener by: Anonymous
I have used a rivnut tool and had success. It's good for thin walls. You still have to drill a hole into the wall and install the rivnut. Carefull not to go to deep.
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screwing a wall by: jim
i have been living FT in rvs for 35 yrs and in all these yrs i have not once hit a wire while attaching things with screws . Go ahead and use screws so that whatever you are hanging stays put. Pictures ,ironboards, tv's,radios,shelves,kitchen do dads, racks and whatnot, never a problem.
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command strip troubles by: 1/2 time camper
we used command strips to hang a hook for coats and it pulled the wallpaper loose. suggestions?
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Hanging items on the walls of your RV. by: Rob Krawl
Always use command strips and make sure you place the right side of the strip to the wall. It tells you right on the strip before you peel and stick it to your wall. When you wanna change the location of the item, just pull on the tab and it leaves no marks on the wall.
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I do exactly the same thing by: Johnny B
Hi there. I have a small but comfortable 14 ft travel trailer. I use Command hooks in my apartment and they work great in the RV. I bought an under cabinet mount for my TV that I plan on installing sometime soon. With the lack of wall and counter space I saw this as the only option.
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Hanging objects on the wall by: campingshadow
I have found that velcro will work well for adhering objects to the wall. However, if you apply the velcro directly to the wall and then ever want to remove it, you can leave an unsightly mess behind.
I use 3M command strips on the wall and apply the velcro to those. Then when I want to remove from the wall, a simple pull on the command strip and everything comes off clean with no fuss and no sign anything was ever there. I even have my door bell stuck on the outside of the trailer with a command strip.
I also put a command strip next to the bed and then added velcro to it and the back of my TV remote. Now I never lose the remote and just reach up to push the appropriate button and the remote is never in the way or taking up nighstand space.
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Thanks! by: Jason
First off, love the website and secondly, thanks for the great feedback...no screws in the wall it is! I like the under cabinet mount...never seen one of those before and will now look at finding one that is right for us.
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Mounting things in the RV by: Pampered Camper, LLC
I agree with nothing that can go into the wall. You never know where all that wiring is.
I also use velco to mount pictures, clocks and mirrors (light things).
All the other stuff I put around my RV...small flowers and such, get packed up when it's time to leave. That way I don't have to worry about them sliding (and breaking) in transit.
I also have some RV tips on my web site. Check them out!
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. It forms a very strong bond, but with no holes!! Hooray! And big bonus, it's heat resistant up to something like 450 degrees. 
and make sure you place the right side of the strip to the wall. It tells you right on the strip before you peel and stick it to your wall. When you wanna change the location of the item, just pull on the tab and it leaves no marks on the wall.
on the wall and apply the velcro to those. Then when I want to remove from the wall, a simple pull on the command strip and everything comes off clean with no fuss and no sign anything was ever there. I even have my door bell stuck on the outside of the trailer with a command strip.