Bolt head protruding below floor, 377

[Lowmiler]

A bolt is starting make itself known underneath the floor in our 377 kitchen, between the island and the fridge, just a few inches away from the island.

I have a warranty appointment for next month, but we’re taking a trip in a couple weeks and this bolt head seems to protrude more with each trip.

Anyone know what it’s connected to? I’m tempted just to slice back the floor and address it myself if it’s critical, like a slide mount or something.

[Magnolia Tom]

Todd

Had the same thing in mine. It’s a screw that holds the plywood to the frame. I did exactly as you are considering and sliced the floor, tightened the screw (add some loctite so it doesn’t come back out and you have to do it over again...ask me how I know). Then patch the floor with some seam sealer purchased from HD or Lowe’s.

[Lowmiler]

Thanks, Tom. Good to know I can benefit (again) from your misfortune.

Actually, since it's a non-critical fastener, I'll let them handle it under warranty.

[RedHorse1]

The loctite is a good idea, make sure the dealer’s tech uses some or you could see the problem again and the only way I would believe loctite was used would be to see it or do it myself. But you first called it a “bolt”, if it is a hex-headed bolt it may be something else.

[Lowmiler]

Originally Posted by RedHorse1

The loctite is a good idea, make sure the dealer’s tech uses some or you could see the problem again and the only way I would believe loctite was used would be to see it or do it myself. But you first called it a “bolt”, if it is a hex-headed bolt it may be something else.

Good point.

Yeah, Tom, I wrote bolt, not screw!

[romeret]

Had the same issue on my 2016 Pinnacle at end of bar on living room side. Took mine to local dealer. They contacted Jayco who said it is not covered under warranty ( go figure ) so let me know if you have any success.

[Jeffur]

Wow, that’s a perplexing problem. Myself, I would cut an access hole / flap in the underbelly in the area and tighten the bolt back up and then tape up the flap.

[Lowmiler]

How dare I question Sensei Tom.

Carefully cut back the floor with a sharp box cutter, which revealed not a bolt but a huge screw head. Exactly what Tom called.

I backed it out, applied some red loctite, drove it back in place, sprayed some 3M industrial adhesive, and bob’s your uncle. 5 minute fix.

[Magnolia Tom]

Wow Todd! Your repair is invisible! Great job.

[TxLoser]

Did you buy some new flooring or is that the same piece? The faux grain looks different from the stuff around it. Nice work.

[Lowmiler]

Originally Posted by TxLoser

Did you buy some new flooring or is that the same piece? The faux grain looks different from the stuff around it. Nice work.

Same piece, just cut three sides and lifted it up. That’s how the 2018s came from the factory.

[TxLoser]

Ok. Thanks. I had a pebble get between slide and the floor causing a little tear, so trying to workout my own repair ideas.

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by romeret

Had the same issue on my 2016 Pinnacle at end of bar on living room side. Took mine to local dealer. They contacted Jayco who said it is not covered under warranty ( go figure ) so let me know if you have any success.

When? A 2016 would be out of warranty.

[Flyrotor]

I had the same problem, actually 4 separate screws following the length of the beam underneath, the first one apparently had been repaired before I had purchased it new, using the method of cutting the square pattern out and glued back, similar to Lowmiller’s method. This happened to be the same one that failed first for me too, but before the screw made its appearance, the vinyl started separating and peeling up, of course it wasn’t until after the warranty had expired, then two more screws appeared, I cut a small x over the screw, tightening them and sealed the small hole. None of them were successful. Finally this last spring I decided to replace the whole floor with vinyl planking, during this project I pulled each screw and used lock tight before placing the vinyl planks. This has so far been successful!

I thought I had some photos but I can’t seem to find them.

This link is a video for the complete job of replacing the floor.

https://youtu.be/9fA71KCqOuk

[Basil]

I think this must be a common problem for Jayco we had the same thing happen in our 2018 Seneca and had it repaired under warranty twice. The first time the dealer done it from below the second time they cut the flooring and repaired it from the top, so far so good this time.

[steve.jurnigan]

I figure is wasn't worth taking it to Camping world to screw up a good floor. Took a razor blade spilt the floor enough to loosen and tighten the bolt. It was not stripped. I loosened it to expose the thread, took medical syringe and injected full of Vinyl floor adhesive, screwed the bolt down tight. Then squeezed the excess glue out and set a weight on it for about 24 hrs. Can't tell there was a problem. I can't see cutting a section of flooring out.

[Johnynorthland]

I had same problem in my Redhawk. Screw was only noticeable when slide was out and you were sitting on the jackknife sofa. It was right under my foot! Dealer fixed it. All good I cant see any part of the repair!

[Armycamper24]

They took care of my bolt head. Dropped underbelly and tightened with no cut in floorings

[ttvibz]

Same thing occurred on our White Hawk TT twice. Same general location as yours. Mine were hex head cap screws so I knew the problem wasn't solvable from the inside of the trailer. I had the dealer pull the cover off the underside of the trailer and replace the missing washers and nuts.

[tfoliver]

Same thing happened to our 2019 Pinnacle three months into ownership. 3 screws backed out and punctured the linoleum. The dealer replaced the entire floor but unfortunately a worker tracked a pebble inside and it caught underneath the slide and tore the brand new floor. The dealer had to take up that floor which involved a lot of sanding and made a horrible dusty mess that we are still getting out of things. The dealer did an excellent job installing the new floor itself so hopefully we are mostly done with that issue. They damaged several things when doing a new floor so we have some carpet and a pantry door on order. I have touched up lots of wood nicks.

It's too bad Jayco can't do it right the first time. It would certainly cost them a lot less.