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Old 05-31-2018, 06:47 PM   #1
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Azdel Walls

No reply from Azdel yet. Does anyone know for sure, not opinion, how thick these walls are on a 2018 Chaparall? And what is the prescribed fastener for attaching accessories?

My dealer installed slide toppers are showing minor evidence of not being attached properly. (The wall end, not the slide end) Looks like they used minimum number of tiny sheet metal screws. My plan is to re-calk and then use proper length screws. Lots of them, like one ever 4in.
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Old 05-31-2018, 07:03 PM   #2
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You should contact the factory directly for a "for sure not opinion" answer if anyone knows they should.
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Old 05-31-2018, 07:08 PM   #3
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Open the door and look at the door jam and you will not only see the thickness, but the makeup.
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Old 05-31-2018, 07:22 PM   #4
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Quote:
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Open the door and look at the door jam and you will not only see the thickness, but the makeup.
You don't have to remove the door jam?
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Old 05-31-2018, 07:22 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SeaDog View Post
You should contact the factory directly for a "for sure not opinion" answer if anyone knows they should.
I emailed Azdel several days ago
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Old 05-31-2018, 07:45 PM   #6
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So far there's 3 of us who don't know the answer...
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Old 05-31-2018, 08:29 PM   #7
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The exterior sheeting is about 1/4 from looking at it. I cut a hole for the dryer vent in mine. The center is just foam insulation, so there is no value to long screws. On my unit if you look up under the slide out you can see where the exterior sheeting runs down past the floor. Have you looked under yours?

With that said my unit is a 2016. I have no clue if they change over the years.
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Old 06-02-2018, 08:34 AM   #8
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TT: '15 Freedom Express with Azdell walls. IF I remember correctly the "Azdell" is a plastic sheet that the exterior fiberglass wall is attached (glued?) to. This plastic sheet replaces the old thin wood sheet they used to use in order to cut down on overall weight and it does have some structural integrity. I cut out a piece when installing an electrical connection so that gave me a good look at the construction of the exterior wall. From the exterior: 1) The fiberglass outer sheet, 2) the Azdell sheet, which is quite thin, no more than 1/16", 3) styrofoam insulation, maybe 1"-1 1/16" thick, 4) then the interior wall panel which is thinner than what I know to be "luan" paneling, this panel is no more than 1/16". The overall thickness could not be more than 1 1/4" on a good day. That said, I have hung numerous items on the interior walls, nothing heavy. I always use one of the plastic anchors that spread out when the screw is placed into it. I have also tried the "Command" type hooks but do not want to bond to the interior walls very well. I think it is the fact that the interior walls have a texture to them. Now the shower walls--that's a different story. There are Command hooks in there for myself, my GF, and each of my three (3) g'son's to hang our wash clothes on. I have also added a couple of Command soap type dishes for soap and small bottles of shampoo.
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Old 06-02-2018, 08:36 AM   #9
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You don't have to remove the door jam?

No

Look at the area where the strike plate is. On my unit I can see and measure the thickness of the individual layers and the total wall. I would not use 2" screws.
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Old 06-02-2018, 07:03 PM   #10
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Cool, I'll take a look. Thanks everyone
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Old 06-02-2018, 08:10 PM   #11
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Top is what they used, most were stripped at install. Bottom is what I replaced them with, and I couldn't get them to strip. Much beefier. I'm happy again.Click image for larger version

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Old 06-02-2018, 08:21 PM   #12
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I saw a interesting YouTube video on Azdel from Haylett Rv. You should be able to find by searching pretty easy
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Old 06-02-2018, 08:55 PM   #13
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https://youtu.be/0S86wb-yGEM

If I owned a dealership, I would want this guy leading my sales department
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Old 06-02-2018, 09:07 PM   #14
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Given that the "Azdel" part of these walls are made of recycled water bottles (guessing via Destert Storm/Shield and such) that it makes sense why the fine threaded tiny screws just stripped out while the beefier course threaded screws lock down and my screw gun could not get them to strip.

My greenhouse is made of recycled Desert Storm bottles, and it's tough as Schwartzkopf.
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Old 06-02-2018, 09:55 PM   #15
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Here is a nice video where a Coachmen representative take you on a factory tour of Azdel:

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Old 06-04-2018, 08:12 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by klickitatjim View Post
https://youtu.be/0S86wb-yGEM

If I owned a dealership, I would want this guy leading my sales department
agreed!
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Old 06-04-2018, 08:19 AM   #17
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There are some very good Utube and other videos about Azdel if you do a simple search.

If you are mounting on the inside of the walls, and not going through to the outside, you can use short wall anchors, or just use velcro strips. Just be careful not to go too deep.

I was considering a TV mount on the outside, and the information I found was to not puncture the outside at all.
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