Where do all the extra screws come from?

[ttavasc]

Seems like every so often after coming back from a trip when I'm cleaning the trailer out I find an extra screw laying on a cupboard shelf or under the sink or behind the plumbing cover. I've assumed that these were just dropped during the rush to shove my trailer out the door and they've finally bounced out into view. The latest find is the oddest yet I think. While pulling my extra boots out from under the shelf in the bottom of the coat closet I spied about a 1" long screw with a white painted top sitting on the shelf. This is the same screw used to fasten the trim around the bath tub - the only place I've found this type. I've cleaned that closet out completely numerous times and no screws - until this trip. At the rate things are going I predict the trailer will fall apart 25 months after we purchased it....

[SouthCo]

Lol hope it doesn't fall apart on you. I haven't had that experience on my 2.5 year old camper. If you don't see a few holes missing their screws I'd assume they were dropped and just bouncing into view as you had suggested...

[BigJohnD]

I wouldn't sweat it. Most everyone we've owned comes with these bonus features. Screws and everything else gets dropped. I've even found tools. Worst one? Went to test the black tank flush on a brand new Tiffin class A. I ALWAYS fill and test the tanks before use. Went to dump the black after filling and saw something in the clear insert between tank and hose. Low and behold, a brand new black tank flush nozzle that had been dropped in the tank at some point. I added it to my collection, and actually had to use it to replace one on the next Motorhome. All the extras come in handy sometimes. Only thing I haven't found a use for is the sawdust.

[norty1]

....or the Styrofoam balls!

Those screws are for later when you find some missing.

[JFlightRisk]

The sawdust is good for starting your first campfire!!

[Cosmik Debris]

And if you've ever peeked into areas where there is wiring you'll see that they also gave you lots more than needed.
Once all of these little bennies are removed you'll have a lighter RV, so carry more beer.

[BigJohnD]

I'm sure all the extra stuff is figured into the cost somewhere. One of those mandatory options.

[Rustysocket]

I've been in the factory and watched these units being made. The pace at which they are put together leaves no opportunity for a worker to pick up a dropped screw... it is simply left behind. If it's under a cabinet, bed, bunk, shelf or otherwise it is left behind to be cleaned up later. They are quickly swept out and hooked up and headed to the dealers

[North of 49°]

It's a conspiracy. During construction of the trailer, they throw a handful of random-sized screws randomly into the trailer just to mess with us. Those screws eventually work their way loose during travel and we pull our hair out trying to figure out where they came from.

The worst I've heard of: someone had some body work done to their car, and about a month after they got it back, a funky smell was coming from one of the doors. It turned out that someone at the shop had left the remains of their fried chicken lunch in the door cavity before putting the panels back on.

[troutslayer]

Originally Posted by BigJohnD

I'm sure all the extra stuff is figured into the cost somewhere. One of those mandatory options.

Yea, I thing that's the "misc." column on the cost spreadsheet

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by JFlightRisk

The sawdust is good for starting your first campfire!!

+1!!

My FIL bought a brand new Dodge something-or-other many years ago. Had a horrendous rattle coming from the door. Dealer took the panel off and found a wrench.

Personally, I think I've found one or two screws; not too bad. Some metal shavings, some wire scraps, a little sawdust. Nothing to get too worked up about...

[SmokerBill]

I found a nice little pair of tongue and groove pliers sealed in the compartment behind my Jensen radio. They have come in handy a few times.

[The Logans]

I have a zip-lock bag full of them... may come in handy as the Dear Wife always claims that I have a screw loose....

[BuddyRay]

Have you ever wondered where those socks go when you loose just one of a pair? Now you know . . . the gnomes take them, magically compress them into screws and leave them around your RV !!

Actually the worst I ever heard of happened to my parents back in the '60's. They bought an American Motors station wagon (not a good decision on any basis). When new, it would run fine until the gas gauge got below 1/4, then it would just stop running at the oddest times. Sometimes it was quite dangerous as the engine would just cut out on the expressway. It would always restart however - and run for 30 or more minutes just fine before stopping again.
It took months and multiple trips to the dealer. They replaced EVERYTHING from the ignition switch to the entire spark system to the fuel pump. Nothing fixed the problem.
Finally my Mom INSISTED that they clean out the entire fuel system - starting with the fuel tank. She had a correct feeling that it was fuel not ignition related simply because it only happened under 1/4 tank.
Turns out they were having labor disputes at the Factory when the car was built. Some disgruntled worker had thrown a handful of rubber shavings from a tire truing machine into the gas tank. Once the fuel dropped to a certain level these shavings would start to collect, by the vacuum of the fuel pump, around the intake filter - eventually clogging it off.
Once the fuel pump stopped, the shavings would drift away from the intake, so the engine would restart.

My parents didn't keep that car long - not because of this and many other quality problems - but because they destroyed the engine and transmission towing a TT that was WAY too heavy for it.

[che57vy]

I have found quite a few screws behind cabinets when fixing something myself.

[RedHorse1]

Check your invoice, the line item "spare" that we've always assumed was a tire. No! It's the loose screws. We all know the spare tire is worth less than a handful of screws.

[ttavasc]

Well, as I hoped it might be this has been an interesting and entertaining thread with a variety of unexpected finds. While quality may not be as consistent as we'd all like it to be, apparently "spares" and other assorted "misc" are. I've been keeping all my finds for future use as "OEM" replacements. Once I bounce far enough down the road I'm bound to need them.

[bwalton]

My parents sold Jaycos for 40 years before retiring. The most unusual thing I found was a carpet stretcher in unit that had just been delivered. How do you forget to pick that up when you are done?

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by bwalton

My parents sold Jaycos for 40 years before retiring. The most unusual thing I found was a carpet stretcher in unit that had just been delivered. How do you forget to pick that up when you are done?

Right? A small tool, I could see. But you'd trip over a carpet stretcher!