Droopy Belly Fix

[RetiredSoldier919]

This.


Is going to help fix this.



More to follow.

[RetiredSoldier919]

So disassembling an aluminum ladder is not as easy as I expected. Had to grind flat the rounded rivets so i could drill them out without the drillbit wondering.

I had planned to separate the two halves of the ladder and install them above the coroplast belly. Figured that leaving the two sides intact(rungs holding sides parallel)would provide more rigidity. Unfortunately there were too many obstructions to fit it in that way. So I cut both sides free from the rungs. I installed one piece today with wooden blocks spaced 16 inches on center. I'll attach the belly to those blocks. That also provided a gap for the tank drain line to run through. Still deciding how to best attach the belly to the blocks. I'm considering some wider flathead screws with rubber washers.

[007matman]

I have found that wire lathe screws work well. They have a sharp tip, coarse thread, and an oversized flat head.

Like these (these are for metal and are self-tapping): https://www.lowes.com/pd/Teks-8-x-1-...-Count/3316502

This would work too (for wood): https://www.tmshardware.com/products...BoCu_IQAvD_BwE

This would help with your wandering drill bit:
https://www.tmshardware.com/products...BoCu_IQAvD_BwE

I don't think the rubber would be needed but to each his own.

[67L48]

Thanks for posting this. That looks like my trailer ... underbelly is slowly working itself off the frame.

If your drill bit is wondering, then you need to tell it to quit pondering the meaning of life and focus on the job! (Sorry, sometimes unintended consequences of a simple spelling mistake make me giggle.)

[RetiredSoldier919]

Originally Posted by 007matman

I have found that wire lathe screws work well. They have a sharp tip, coarse thread, and an oversized flat head.

Like these (these are for metal and are self-tapping): https://www.lowes.com/pd/Teks-8-x-1-...-Count/3316502

This would work too (for wood): https://www.tmshardware.com/products...BoCu_IQAvD_BwE

This would help with your wandering drill bit:
https://www.tmshardware.com/products...BoCu_IQAvD_BwE

I don't think the rubber would be needed but to each his own.

I have some of those left over from when I lived in a stucco house in Florida. Thought of using them, with a washer to spread the load a bit more. Then spray with a quality paint.

[RetiredSoldier919]

Originally Posted by 67L48

Thanks for posting this. That looks like my trailer ... underbelly is slowly working itself off the frame.

If your drill bit is wondering, then you need to tell it to quit pondering the meaning of life and focus on the job! (Sorry, sometimes unintended consequences of a simple spelling mistake make me giggle.)

Lol. Good catch.
I hope that this keeps the coroplast in the perimeter. Maybe it will help keep water out of the corrugated channels. Found them full during this process.

[simiHal]

I used superstrut to attach my new JT Strongarm’s to my frame it also took the sag out of my coroplast. Drilled one hole in the frame on each side and cut the strut to fit. You could use the lighter weight strut.

[RetiredSoldier919]

Originally Posted by simiHal

I used superstrut to attach my new JT Strongarm’s to my frame it also took the sag out of my coroplast. Drilled one hole in the frame on each side and cut the strut to fit. You could use the lighter weight strut.

One thing I forgot to mention, is that I wanted to do it expensively. I paid $20 for used ladder on FB market place.
I also wanted to use aluminum for it's lighter weight. With the ladder I have for "legs" that I can run across in different places that sag.

[simiHal]

Originally Posted by RetiredSoldier919

One thing I forgot to mention, is that I wanted to do it expensively. I paid $20 for used ladder on FB market place.
I also wanted to use aluminum for it's lighter weight. With the ladder I have for "legs" that I can run across in different places that sag.

Ya. Superstrut is $20 for a 10’ section. I do know it will also hold my tanks in place if they loosen.