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Old 08-16-2019, 04:50 PM   #1
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"stud" spacing

Our 2018 Kodiak Ultra lite has the "Bear Cage Construction" made from aluminum. Yeah I know, maybe Teddy Bear Construction haha


I am trying to figure out the stud spacing. I have tried 2 stud finders and the results are misleading. I asked Dutchman Customer Service. They said 16 inches on center. Which is of course the house standard. I kind of find that hard to believe, knowing the RV industries penchant for short cutting corners, ahem.


Anyway. anyone know for sure?
Thanks
Bill
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Old 08-16-2019, 05:29 PM   #2
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16" on center is only good for interior walls and roof rafters. There is minimal aluminum structure in the sidewall. Best way to mark out wall studs is early in the morning when the dew sets on the sidewall.
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Old 08-16-2019, 08:52 PM   #3
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16" on center is only good for interior walls and roof rafters. There is minimal aluminum structure in the sidewall. Best way to mark out wall studs is early in the morning when the dew sets on the sidewall.

Thanks for the reply. I saw a drawing once of the "bear cage" construction. I cant find it at the moment ughh. Not to say that is definitely what I have, but supposedly.


The exterior walls, roof and floor looked like a fairly substantial structure. And all tied together.



Do you have a recent Ulra Lite that bears out your description? Not saying your wrong Just trying to get the right info.



According to the "specs" and according to Customer service, I get different answers too..........ughh


Thanks again.
Bill
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Old 08-17-2019, 10:47 AM   #4
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16" on center is only good for interior walls and roof rafters. There is minimal aluminum structure in the sidewall. Best way to mark out wall studs is early in the morning when the dew sets on the sidewall.
That is the definitive answer...

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Old 08-17-2019, 04:54 PM   #5
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Well OK then
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Old 08-17-2019, 05:00 PM   #6
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Except I have this. Not saying which is right or wrong. But room for doubt either way. Check item 3 in both drawings.
Sooooooo
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Old 08-17-2019, 06:50 PM   #7
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http://www.dutchmenowners.org/forums...00-a-7834.html


For what it's worth the stud spacing in the garage per the photo is 24" oc. Could be different forward of the garage but I would be surprised if it's 16" up there.
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Old 08-17-2019, 07:23 PM   #8
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Except I have this. Not saying which is right or wrong. But room for doubt either way. Check item 3 in both drawings.
Sooooooo
Ayup its got a frame... the question was where

FWIW I mapped mine out a while back on my Coachmen Concord, the sidewalls vary from 12" to 24" depending on what is around them.

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Old 08-18-2019, 05:28 AM   #9
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Ayup its got a frame... the question was where

FWIW I mapped mine out a while back on my Coachmen Concord, the sidewalls vary from 12" to 24" depending on what is around them.

Aaron

What did you use? I tried 2 different stud finders. Very inconsistent for some reason.
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Old 08-18-2019, 10:41 AM   #10
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What did you use? I tried 2 different stud finders. Very inconsistent for some reason.
Best way to mark out wall studs is early in the morning when the dew sets on the sidewall.

Took a couple of pictures then used the door and window to reference the size, sketched up a sidewall profile.

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Old 08-18-2019, 11:21 AM   #11
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Aaron, you're a genius. Lol
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Old 08-18-2019, 05:29 PM   #12
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Being retired and not an early riser. Morning dew is an alien concept to me. :-)

But I will endeavor to try that.

Thanks
Bill
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Old 12-08-2022, 06:53 PM   #13
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Gonna whip this dead horse a bit here... cuz I'm trying to find the same info!

Anyone ever able to confirm the bear cage "stud" spacing?
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Old 12-21-2022, 05:42 AM   #14
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Another way you could probably "see" them is with a thermal imaging camera, for the same reason that you can see them in the early morning, that being that the aluminum will be colder than the surrounding materials. If you have any friends who are a home inspector, good chance they might have one.
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Old 12-24-2022, 03:54 PM   #15
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Another way you could probably "see" them is with a thermal imaging camera, for the same reason that you can see them in the early morning, that being that the aluminum will be colder than the surrounding materials. If you have any friends who are a home inspector, good chance they might have one.
Thanks, but I think I found where they are on my Kodiak Cub 175BH... One comes up from above the wheel well, then the next one back is just left of the driver side rear access door (about 2ft apart). I used some classic technology... involving my knuckle and my ear. Worked great!
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