Where can I hang items on walls?

[PNGento]

I wanted to place a carbon monoxide/smoke detector on the outside wall above the bedroom window, but the screw acted like it was trying to bite into metal...I thought it would just be a flimsy panel there. Anyway, perhaps that was for the good as I was thinking had it gone in easier, it might have gone thru the outside of the RV. So, CAN you safely hang or drill into the outside walls? If so, how much clearance between the inside wall and the outside wall so I don't have screws showing on the outside of the RV? Or should I just limit any screws to hang items to inside walls that are not shared with the outside walls?

[MartyG]

Use a window, and calipers if you have them to measure the distance between inside edge and outside edge. Use a C-clamp or anything like it if you don't have calipers. Once you know thickness of the wall, subtract 1/2 inch to be sure. Anytime you feel like drilling, use a stud detector or whatever means you can to determine what's inside the wall. If you drill, start with the smallest drill you have to test the pathway. Mark the drill to the point you don't want to go further than. Or chuck it deep enough into the drill that you couldn't go deeper. This is always chancy, good luck!

[wahoonc]

Velcro works pretty good as does the Command stuff. The wall thickness varies but I haven't seen anything much over an 1.5" thick.

Aaron

[arlan in arizona]

Command makes a velcro system. I am done using regular velcro if at all possible. It will fail eventually in extreme heat and it you want to remove it, it won't want to come off without taking part of the wall with it. Oh, and it leaves so much goo behind.

The command picture hanging velcro is available at Home Depot. Amazon has it to but I don't see it as Prime. I won't buy Amazon without Prime.

[arlan in arizona]

Originally Posted by PNGento

I wanted to place a carbon monoxide/smoke detector on the outside wall above the bedroom window, but the screw acted like it was trying to bite into metal.

If you haven't hung the detector yet you must now have a mark on your wall where it felt like you were drilling into metal. Did it feel like metal when you first tried starting the screw? I mean was it only an 1/8th or 1/4 inch deep. If so take a 1/16 inch drill bit and see it there is an aluminum stud it there. You will punch through it really quick. Just don't drill deep. If there is metal in there you can mount to it with the correct sized pilot hole.

That would take care of the scar on your wall.

After re-reading your post. I don't understand...."outside wall". Your not putting a detector on the outside of your trailer are you.

[ATCguy]

"outside wall" = "exterior wall"? Maybe?

[PNGento]

Originally Posted by arlan in arizona

If you haven't hung the detector yet you must now have a mark on your wall where it felt like you were drilling into metal. Did it feel like metal when you first tried starting the screw? I mean was it only an 1/8th or 1/4 inch deep. If so take a 1/16 inch drill bit and see it there is an aluminum stud it there. You will punch through it really quick. Just don't drill deep. If there is metal in there you can mount to it with the correct sized pilot hole.

That would take care of the scar on your wall.

After re-reading your post. I don't understand...."outside wall". Your not putting a detector on the outside of your trailer are you.

No, by outside wall, I am referring to a wall that is the only thing between the inside and the outside in contrast to a wall that breaks up the interior, such as the wall separating the gallery from the bedroom, or gallery from the garage.

[PNGento]

Originally Posted by ATCguy

"outside wall" = "exterior wall"? Maybe?

Thank you...should have read this before my last post. Yes, exterior wall would have been a better choice. Now that I see it, can't figure out why I wouldn't have chosen exterior wall over outside. Duh...

[arlan in arizona]

So, basically what I was saying is since you must now have a mark on your wall at the location you chose for your detector why not continue to attempt to hang it there. I have several spots in my trailer that I have probed with a 1/16th drill bit looking for backing. It you drill through it in the first 1/4 inch or so you would be good to go in that location using a little larger bit (pilot hole) and a screw.

Or, use the Command Picture Hanging Velcro.

[Pushin4u]

Pop rivets.. Check out RVGEEKS on YouTube and watch the video there... Works fantastic!!!

[MartyG]

Pop rivets are OK if you know you'll never want to take the device off the wall. I've had good luck with small "molley", or expansion receptacles that a wood screw goes into. The secret, as mentioned before, is to make sure you know you're in a safe spot, and don't drill too deep.