Adding outside storage door

[pitchlynn]

I'm thinking about adding an outside storage door which means cutting a big hole in the wall. The only thing stopping me is worrying about what structure I might find after I start cutting mostly any metal structure. I have a 213 EXP with the TuffShell walls. A picture from the original brochure suggest there are metal studs but it is a marketing type section of the layers in the wall. I've tried to use my stud finder which has a metal setting. It seems to go off almost randomly as I move it around leaving me to wonder what is in the walls.

TuffShell™ walls and floor are constructed using
a vacuum-bonded lamination process. TuffShell™
construction results in a smoother finish and a more
durable body than traditional pinch-roller construction.

Any idea if there are metal or wood studs in the wall?

I read in a post about cutting holes in the roof for fans that Jayco would provide plans of the roof. I'll have to call them and ask about plans for the walls.

[ALJO]

"TuffShell" has aluminum construction. Just get the plans from Jayco and you will know where to cut the opening. The "TuffShell" is a high quality construction but more expensive to manufacture. Thus at present the manufactures use the lesser quality process of roller bonding. Good luck with you project.

[pitchlynn]

Originally Posted by ALJO

"TuffShell" has aluminum construction. Just get the plans from Jayco and you will know where to cut the opening. The "TuffShell" is a high quality construction but more expensive to manufacture. Thus at present the manufactures use the lesser quality process of roller bonding. Good luck with you project.

Thanks, I called after posting and am waiting for my plans to be emailed. I was delighted with how willing Jayco is to provide this information. Hopefully I can decipher the plans when I get them.

Are you saying the quality of TuffShell has gone downhill since my 2007 was manufactured? I took that description of the "vacuum bonding" process from the 2007 brochure for my trailer. That's too bad that they would make a statement like that and then years later move to same process they touted superiority over.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by pitchlynn

I'm thinking about adding an outside storage door which means cutting a big hole in the wall.....snip

If you do proceed with this modification, please feel free to start a new thread with some in-process pics, tips, etc.., over in the "Jayco Mods" forum.

Here: https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f30/

Bob

[pitchlynn]

Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle

If you do proceed with this modification, please feel free to start a new thread with some in-process pics, tips, etc.., over in the "Jayco Mods" forum.

Here: https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f30/

Bob

Will do, if I go through with it. At the moment I've talked myself out of it as I may have found a better storage solution. But I did get the drawings from Jayco for my trailer. They we're super nice and sent them to me the same day. The drawings included revisions previous through after my build so I'm not sure which one applies for sure but I can guess close enough. They said to call back with any question so I'm sure they could nail down the build date with the vin. Got the plans for both sides and the rear of the trailer. They show the metal backer locations which look like thin metal for securing furniture to the walls and the location of studs although it wasn't clear if the studs were metal or wood. But there weren't very many of those to look out for.