Is it safe to drill here?

[Hamptont]

How do you know if it’s safe to drill small holes for some kitchen hooks? I have a 2018 Octane 161

[Mark S]

I try to never drill if I can help it. Last camper I was so proud of how I hung something or other. That is until I saw the dry wall screw come through to the out side.

We use command hooks and sticky Velcro. Just saying.

[havnfun]

x2 on the Command hooks. We use them all over and after 4 years they are still sturdy. Also easy to remove with no damage left behind.

Happy RVing,
Jeff

[RVhiker]

The command adhesive pads are very good. If you wanted to use the metal bracket with the 4 hooks, maybe you could fasten that to the wall with the command adhesive pads. If the back of the bracket is not flat, you could fasten the bracket with screws to a thin piece of plywood, and then fasten the plywood to the wall with command adhesive pads.

[Jagiven]

I too use a lot of command adhesive strips with my own items.

To screw things to the wall. The walls do not have any electrical or plumbing running through them. When I screwed a few items in. I removed a screw, measured it, and adjust the length I needed, based on that screw. Next thing to know, the 1/8" (maybe thinner) paneling is the only thing that the screw will bite into.

[Hamptont]

All, thanks for the input. I am using a combination of screwed attachments and adhesive strips for the various things I want to outfit the camper with. The choice of attachment depends on desired location and whether or not there’s something solid in the wall/cabinet to anchor to. In some cases, I have added a solid member behind the thin plywood cabinet face in order to hard mount an item in that location. I did this for a paper towel dispenser and a hand towel rack.
In the case of this little four hook plaque, there is something solid behind the thin wall panel where I want to mount it. I just don’t know what it is. It’s most likely a structural wood member back there. My fear is that it’s plumbing or holding tank. I can’t imagine that there would be a holding tank that high up. But I’m new to travel trailers and mine has the enclosed underbelly so I can’t see where all the tanks are.
Any chance a holding tank would be up that high?

[eagleback]

Originally Posted by Hamptont

How do you know if it’s safe to drill small holes for some kitchen hooks? I have a 2018 Octane 161

Looking at the picture, it looks like an access panel just below where you want to mount that hanger. look on the other side and see if the shower is there. you need to look out because the rv manufactures will run water, drain, 12 and 120 volt wires anywhere and everywhere. might be able to remove that cover and use a mirror to look up to where you are drilling a hole to see if your clear.

[RVhiker]

Could be a plumbing vent - is there one showing on the roof that could be an extension of one behind that panel?

[Marine71-76]

Originally Posted by Hamptont

How do you know if it’s safe to drill small holes for some kitchen hooks? I have a 2018 Octane 161

Any chance you could mount them on the door in the kitchen? We mounted two of those on the "closet" door using the cross part which was thick. Works for us.

[Hamptont]

Originally Posted by RVhiker

Could be a plumbing vent - is there one showing on the roof that could be an extension of one behind that panel?

Bingo! Good point. There is a vent running up there behind the wall. That explains the wide solid object when I knock on the wall in that area. There must be a wide stud like wood member back there between the wall and the vent line. Should be safe to use some short 3/4” long screws.