Posted 2014-09-20 4:05 PM (#160845) Subject: How to find studs in walls of aluminum over steel trailer
Member
Posts: 13
I bought a blanket bar to add to my dressing room in my aluminum over steel trailer. I have had the rack for almost a year as the direction say to make sure to attach to the studs of the wall. I cannot find the studs. If i go all the way through the wall, it goes into the horse are - not something I want to do either. Any tricks for finding the studs?Thanks
Posted 2014-09-20 5:49 PM (#160848 - in reply to #160845) Subject: RE: How to find studs in walls of aluminum over steel trailer
Member
Posts: 13
Thanks, the dressing room is in the front of the trailer. I just spent time banging with a rubber mallet and a hammer. It seems less hallow horizontally. I see where there are other things attached - the bar does not fit the dimensions. Are studs in trailers horizontal? Finally, I decided to just "go for it" I cant get the first screw to go through. I tried driving a nail through, drilling a hole. I have attached hooks in the past in the side wall. It was tough but doable. These are sheet metal screws. What do you use to get through this stuff? I can't get through the wall that I want the blanket bar on. It is the wall that divides the dressing room from the horses. Inside.
Posted 2014-09-20 7:11 PM (#160850 - in reply to #160845) Subject: RE: How to find studs in walls of aluminum over steel trailer
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 448 Location: Los Angeles, Ca.
Easiest is to use self tapping screws and a cordless drill. Or drill a small pilot hole and then use the screws......by hand is difficult......use a cordless drill.
Posted 2014-09-20 10:50 PM (#160853 - in reply to #160845) Subject: RE: How to find studs in walls of aluminum over steel trailer
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Setting a self taping screw into steel is increasingly difficult at the thickness of the metal increases. Trying to punch a hole in steel with a nail is almost impossible, maybe probable in some thin aluminum. As was stated, a drill and bit close in size to the outside diameter of the screw, will be necessary to start a pilot hole. Self drilling screws with cutting tips are available. If the sheeting is aluminum, don't use steel screws, instead use stainless.
I find the easiest way to locate a stud in a wall, is the use of a plastic handled screw driver. It makes a distinctive sound when the panel is over a backing such as a stud, which usually is vertical.
Posted 2014-09-21 4:50 PM (#160863 - in reply to #160845) Subject: RE: How to find studs in walls of aluminum over steel trailer
Member
Posts: 13
Thanks you for your help everyone. Not sure if I found the stud but it was so hard to get the screws (self drilling stainless steel) in that I hope they do not ever come out.
How to find studs in walls of aluminum over steel trailer
