underbelly patch!! New idea

[Lee Pedrick]

I think I just came up with an idea to cut any size hole you want in the Coraplast (is that what its called?) And put it back together like new and just put tape on the seams. Really got excited about this but I want to try it first. Another idea which I'll share now is go buy the digital cameras that have about a 3 ft snake on them with the camera and a light in the tip. Electricians use them to look in walls. You can just poke it thru a small hole in the area you are looking for a problem. Lowes ,,,Home Depot sell them pretty cheap. Have a hand held led screen on them. Film at eleven.

[TitanMike]

If you cut a hole in the coroplast, rather than just repairing with tape only, consider this.

Cut some strips off a piece of 1/4" plywood. Place strips the inside of the coroplast with about half of he strip extending into the opening, along the sides.

Secure with some short drywall screws. Place piece you cut out in the now "framed" hole and secure with more short drywall screws. This creates a structurally sound patch and if you want to seal it just cover seams with some aluminum tape. Using this method you can actually open up a fair sized window, enough to actually do some work through if necessary. for more strength when re-securing panel just place the strips diagonally across each corner, using drywall screws to secure both strip and panel being re-secured.

[CHICKDOE]

titan mike nailed it with the plywood strips. you can also use sheet metal roof flashing and use self tapping sheet metal screws to secure it. clean the coroplast with denatured alcohol and then put some tape over the cut to seal it. i found some tape on the internet called underbelly tape and it holds to the coroplast very well.

[Lee Pedrick]

Great ideas! My thoughts were about the holes in the material. The corrigation holes,,, sliding properly sized dowels in them and hold the patch up and slide the dowels in to them,,use needle nose plyers to help slide them in then tape the finished hole. this might work well with smaller holes. One thing I have decided,,,, I'am NOT ripping it all down. I looked under there,,,too much work!!

[houstonstroker]

I used a one hole punch and small zip ties. On top of the patch gorilla tape.

[Bama Rambler]

I've used Gorilla tape to repair Coroplast and if you clean both surfaces well, it holds extremely well. On one RV we had, I repaired an opening of about 1' by 2' and it was still solid after 5 years when we got rid of that unit.

I like the idea of framing the opening if it's something you're going to have to access periodically, but if the possibility of having to access that place is remote, then I'd just use Gorilla Tape.

[5picker]

If you do cut a hole, simply cut on three sides and leave the forward edge as a hinge.
Refasten the other three sides with your favorite method described.

[Reprise]

Some great info on re-fastening the coroplast here.

Jumping back to the OP's other topic about the camera...

Besides the camera he mentioned, check out USB borescope / endoscope cameras that hook to your smartphone (Android especially; I imagine someone's got something for iPhone)

I have one that I use for automotive stuff, etc...works very well, and they're generally sub-$20 on Amazon.

They may not have the semi-rigid gooseneck on them (at least the cheapies don't), but they're definitely more portable, and very likely cheaper. And of course, you can take pics and videos with them & save to your phone.

[Paulie1138]

Reprise, x2 on the smart phone cameras. I got one with a 35’ cable. I tape the camera to either a fish tape or push-sticks. Comes in really handy when doing mods in the RV, car or around the house. You can look into the walls, ceiling or belly to run wires or looking where it is OK to drill......or to find the XXX’n bolt I dropped in the engine compartment......lol!

[tomrob1161]

There is a tape available to repair the Coroplast, and should be available from your local RV dealer. If you have a good relationship with your dealer, they should be willing to sell you any length you need, you shouldn't have to buy a whole roll.

[jtesta1]

I had a waste valve handle snap off . After cutting the bottom and replacing the valve handle i drilled small holes about two inches apart. All along the cut on both sides . Then put cable ties thru each hole on opposite sides and pulled the two sides together . Sealed up great. If i ever need to get in there again i'll just snip then repeat again.

[Lee Pedrick]

Beautiful Idea!! Awsome!!

[Lee Pedrick]

Thank you to all these great ideas!! Awsome!! I know now I don't need to rip all that crap down. I went and bought the camera today at Lowes,,,(150 bucks) But I think it will be worth every penny. And yes,, my main fuses are hidden under the under belly wrap,,,some where,, Not like FR said they are exposed. I'am an electrician retired and If I can help anyone,,,I will,, If I feel its beyond my knowledge I will not give you info that are not facts. The electronics in the rigs are getting Stupid crazy and I can't keep up with them. Many heads are better than one!!!!!

[Mch5jdm]

Any thoughts on spraying the repair patch/tape with Flex Seal?

[dbledan]

I think the flap idea is the way to go. I like that in combination with the zip ties. Thanks everyone for sharing.

I know gorilla tape works really well and would match but has anyone ever tried eternabond on the bottom? Seems to work so well for the roof...

[dward51]

Originally Posted by Lee Pedrick

Thank you to all these great ideas!! Awsome!! I know now I don't need to rip all that crap down. I went and bought the camera today at Lowes,,,(150 bucks) But I think it will be worth every penny. And yes,, my main fuses are hidden under the under belly wrap,,,some where,, Not like FR said they are exposed. I'am an electrician retired and If I can help anyone,,,I will,, If I feel its beyond my knowledge I will not give you info that are not facts. The electronics in the rigs are getting Stupid crazy and I can't keep up with them. Many heads are better than one!!!!!

From your earlier post, I presume the fuses are why you are looking inside the underbelly. Since you appear to be going in there and are a retired electrician, I would consider moving those main fuses somewhere accessible. It's a might as well sort of thing.

I have 2 self resetting breakers on the front of my FE 246RKS and they are exposed to the elements on the front cap at the tongue/frame junction in the stock factory location. I'm going to replace them with new ones and move them inside a small weatherproof electrical box. I'm replacing because they are starting to look rough. One is for the 12v main feed and the other is for my slide out.

It's crazy to leave exposed connections in the weather like on my trailer. Just as crazy to hide fuses where they cannot be accessed or checked.

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by 5picker

If you do cut a hole, simply cut on three sides and leave the forward edge as a hinge.
Refasten the other three sides with your favorite method described.

What he said, ^^^ X2

No plywood strips to cut, no screws poking up to catch and cut wiring etc.

[babock]

Originally Posted by 5picker

If you do cut a hole, simply cut on three sides and leave the forward edge as a hinge.
Refasten the other three sides with your favorite method described.

That's what I do when I need access.

[jtaylor1920]

I’m considering installing these in the underbelly where I need access to lube the slide rollers. I figured I’d use a pop rivet gun to secure them.

[Scrapper]

You can get a wifi endoscope from amazon for less than $75. You can then use it with your cell phone, laptop or tablet without the need to install an app. I have a lithium battery, 16ft one and can charge it with a micro usb cable connected to laptop or directly to my cell phone charger.