Trailer: best way to mount shelf or brackets inside walls?

[Tom Wells]

Hello all,

Thinking about putting a tire rack, a shelf for the helmet etc, and maybe another shelf for oil or whatever on the inside of my Haulmark trailer.

What's the best way to fasten this stuff to the trailer's walls?

Should I go all the way through and seal the hole the way you do a boat hull, or just try to grab the 3/8 plywood from the inside?

Or maybe even try to hit the metal ribs behind the plywood?

Any "voices of experience" available here?

Thanks in advance,

Tom

[Morris]

Tom

Use the #12 or #14 Hex head Screws that will drill the hole and screw into the metal studs.... but drill a 1/8th inch pilot hole first....

First I had to find a Stud and then every 16"mount the device...

Mounted workbench, Toolboxes, Nitrogen tank, Mounts for hoses and hanging clothes, lifts and jacks....

Finding the studs is the hardest and had to drill some 1/8" holes to do it.... then use RTV or a D-ring to cover the holes.... especially if it is a nice white interior....

Morris

[Tom Wells]

Hi Morris,

Thanks! I'll go get some now.

Oh, what length turned out best? Maybe 3/4"?

Tom

[Morris]

Tom

I think I used 1 1/4" to 1 1/2" and they screwed down tight.... figure .125 for the piece and .375 for the wood wall and .125 for the stud.......

We drill a 1/8th inch hole then use another drill with a magnetic hex driver and screw it in to the stud.... .....

I would plan out what you want in the trailer before you start drilling and lay every thing out based on the stud locations....

You might want to check out

www.pitpal.com

got all kind of trailer stuff...

Morris

[Tom Wells]

Hi Morris,

Thanks!

I'm off to order some racks, shelves & screws....

Tom

[G.R.]

A stud finder with a metal stud sensor should work to locate the vertical and horizontal framing --- also, though I've not really payed attention to trailer walls, I would think that there would be screw heads visible that mount the plywood to the framing unless filled and painted or fabric covered .