Why did they do that?!?

[Bsikes]

I was winterizing my White Hawk this last weekend and noticed something odd. There is a piece of paneling under the sink separating the storage from access to the 12v pump and water valves.
Why did they do that?!? The paneling is secured using square head screws and about a 3" gap at the top of the panel. Well, my arm doesn't fit too well in that gap to reach the valves. Almost had to remove the entire panel.
Anyone else have a similar situation?

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by Bsikes

I was winterizing my White Hawk this last weekend and noticed something odd. There is a piece of paneling under the sink separating the storage from access to the 12v pump and water valves.
Why did they do that?!? The paneling is secured using square head screws and about a 3" gap at the top of the panel. Well, my arm doesn't fit too well in that gap to reach the valves. Almost had to remove the entire panel.
Anyone else have a similar situation?

I've seen it on a couple different trailers.

Mine doesn't have a panel, but I kind of wish it did. We use that space to store some pots and pans and our sink covers. Sometimes the sink covers will slide back through the back of that space and into another space that I can only access from the other side of the kitchen counter; PITA. Since I winterize with air, I don't access the winterization valves near the pump, so a panel would work better in my case. And even if I did need to gain access to the valves, I would just make the panel easier to remove.

[Bassdogs]

My 2014 WH came without a panel so I made one up out of a scrap piece of paneling of a similar color. Couple of screws and done. We winterize with air so really don't need to access the space and the panel kind of cleans up the clutter under the sink.

[norty1]

The reason for the gap is to allow some air circulation in that area and the panel is to block stuff from sliding in the hole.

[Bsikes]

Originally Posted by norty1

The reason for the gap is to allow some air circulation in that area and the panel is to block stuff from sliding in the hole.

I understand circulation with the pump and heating/cooling. However, putting square head wood screws is kinda hard to get back there. Wingnuts or some other easier way to access that space would be better. IMHO.

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Originally Posted by Bsikes

I understand circulation with the pump and heating/cooling. However, putting square head wood screws is kinda hard to get back there. Wingnuts or some other easier way to access that space would be better. IMHO.

Remove the screws and replace them with hanger screws (wood screw threads on one end and machine screw threads on the other end). Then you can use wing nuts to secure the panel. You may need to enlarge the holes in the panel a bit.

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald

Remove the screws and replace them with hanger screws (wood screw threads on one end and machine screw threads on the other end). Then you can use wing nuts to secure the panel. You may need to enlarge the holes in the panel a bit.

Idea stolen! Thanks!

[norty1]

There are many, many ways to personalize your rig. Steal away, that's one reason we are here.

[us71na]

Originally Posted by Bsikes

I understand circulation with the pump and heating/cooling. However, putting square head wood screws is kinda hard to get back there. Wingnuts or some other easier way to access that space would be better. IMHO.

The screws are called Robertson head screws. Just go to any hardware store and buy a square drive screw driver, they are very common and inexpensive. The reason they are used is that they are less likely to strip out the heads when installed with power tools than philips head or slot head screws.

[norty1]

That type screw head is the industry standard. You will find them everywhere inside and out.

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Originally Posted by Camper_bob

Idea stolen! Thanks!

You can't steal what was freely given.

[Hohenwald48]

Yeah, if you're gonna' have an RV you gotta' have some square screwdrivers.

[norty1]

Make sure you ask for a #2. They come in sizes.

[Touch N Go]

On my 2014 I said the samething, why? Incase of work on the pump for any reason. It would have been hard to find it.

[t2daniel]

Love square drive, use them exclusively in the wood shop so no issues with having plenty of driver bits.

I agree, kind of stupid. I've now winterized 3 times and just remove the panel and re-attach after I'm done. Just make sure you put the valves back in the normal position or you have to remove again in the spring.

I too was going to put in some hanger bolts and some wing nuts, but it is way down on the list :-)