Alright guys. I (and another who won't admit) need some advise on what to use to fasten things to the walls of an enclosed trailer with white vinyl walls. My new custom trailer came with 5.2mm white vinyl walls rather than the plywood walls on your basic cargo trailers. The vinyl looks way nicer, but obviously doesn't have the strength of plywood. My question is: Is the vinyl strong enough to screw things into to holds things without using only the wall studs? I don't mean to strap bikes to, but just simple things like bungee a fan to a wall or something.. Sometimes I want to put something where a stud isn't close, so what do you guys use to screw into vinyl walls to secure things? Thanks!
Jay, I'd say the white vinyl wouldn't hold very much. I put some of that in my trailer, but it is over the top of the plywood...... So it's stronger! I generally don't mount anything to the walls unless I can sink a screw into one of the wall studs.
Yea I figure it won't hold much.. It's pretty, but weak I am planning on either running some e-track or some painted furring strips down one side that is mounted to the studs. That way I can strap bins, tables, and what not to the walls and move my straps around. I was just wondering about very light duty stuff where a screw in the vinyl would be the cleanest look... But probably not worth the risk.. Maybe just some heavy duty command hooks in those cases
I'm back on at least trying e-track. My only concern with that was would the pre drilled holes actually line up with every stud down the trailer side? A guy on the weta forums said he had the same concern, but the e-track holes are 2" apart and he was able to hit every 1/2" stud for a 6' piece So I may try the e-track first. I'll just return t if it won't line up and go with the furring strips.
I've used the D-ring tracks on sidewalls lined with vinyl instead of plywood and strapped 2 bikes to them. Granted those were not to fully support the bike, they were just additional side-to-side support as the bikes were placed in wheel chocks and strapped to the floor. I didn't tighten the sides that much because I could tell they weren't as sturdy but the screws held just fine. I used them to strap other things inside the trailer like a bicycle, gas cans, tool box, etc. The problem is not with the D-ring tracks holding onto the wall, but with the wall panel itself holding on to the studs or however it's mounted. In any case...proceed with care. Better to not rely on that fully, but yes you can put "some" amount of load on them if done right.
You sir, are always welcome at our mobile Casa! I've come up with a couple of very novel ideas for our trailer........wall mounts for spare tires, a 14 gal. fuel cell that gets hoisted up when I need to fill the smaller cans, paddock stands mounted on the wall...to name a few. Stop by and see for yourself Keith.......and Jay..