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Old 01-04-2018, 04:13 PM   #1
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Drilling Holes?

After looking at tons of stuff on this forum, I have several ideas about some things I might want to do to my Windsport. Problem is I'm paranoid about drilling holes! I just know that I might get away with one or two but then I'll drill into something I shouldn't have! Any tips or advice from you pros on how to be careful when drilling holes in an RV?

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Old 01-04-2018, 04:55 PM   #2
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Originally Posted by WarEagleDan View Post
After looking at tons of stuff on this forum, I have several ideas about some things I might want to do to my Windsport. Problem is I'm paranoid about drilling holes! I just know that I might get away with one or two but then I'll drill into something I shouldn't have! Any tips or advice from you pros on how to be careful when drilling holes in an RV?

Biggest problem is there are no plans on where things are run like electrical and plumbing. When I drilled holes just took my time and hoped for the best.

Sometimes removing things like outlets and seeing what direction the wires go can help.
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Old 01-04-2018, 05:13 PM   #3
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Drilling holes is easy.
Drilling them in the right place isn't!
Measure eleventeen times, say a prayer, and let someone else do it!
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Old 01-04-2018, 05:22 PM   #4
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I share your paranoia about drilling holes in the coach. If you can use a stud finder, you usually are safe drilling into a stud, but they seem rarely to be where I need to mount something.
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Old 01-04-2018, 09:05 PM   #5
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X2 for the stud finder but remember the "studs" are 1x2s. The paneling is 1/8", stapled, not glued and is poor support.
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Old 01-04-2018, 10:12 PM   #6
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Dan, I avoid drilling into the walls as much as possible and use velcro and adhesive hangers when possible. But when they won't work I'll drill, but as carefully as possible. I have a stud finder that will locate 110 volt electrical lines when they are "hot". It is made by ZIRCON and is the STUDSENSOR PRO SL-AC. works great. For water lines you just have to be careful. Good luck.

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Old 01-05-2018, 11:52 PM   #7
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An idea would be to use a drill stop to keep from going too Deep, thru the wall paneling. A peice of 1/4" plastic tubing cut to just the right length over the smaller bits, and just upsize it as needed for the bigger bits.

Still need to be careful, but if you don't go any deeper than needed, it might be safer and better.

Just an idea.
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Old 01-05-2018, 11:54 PM   #8
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You can also wrap a drill bit with electrical tape, in order to prevent it from getting too ambitious...
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Old 01-06-2018, 12:57 AM   #9
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Thumbs up Drilling Holes

I called Thor Tech guys and they emailed me the schematics of all the assembly studs and the electrical diagrams....
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Old 01-07-2018, 09:00 PM   #10
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I called Thor Tech guys and they emailed me the schematics of all the assembly studs and the electrical diagrams....
Hmm, that's interesting. You mean Customer Service, right? They have been very helpful (especially MS Garcia) but when I asked for a stud location drawing and the actual physical location of the electrical lines I was told those drawings were not available. Maybe they are for your RV and not the Windsport.
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Old 01-07-2018, 10:56 PM   #11
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I think that we had someone in here that was looking for the supports for the roof... Thor sent them drawings (I think...), and nothing was where they said it would be.
So trust... but verify!
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Old 01-11-2018, 07:04 AM   #12
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Use a Forestener bit that has a flat bottom

You should be able to drill into any wall if you go slowly with these type of drill bits that have a flat bottom. If you go very slow, you can stop as the drillbreaks through the inside of the panel. It also helps to know what the panel thickness is prior to drilling into it. Tap on it, if its thin, it's probably only 1/8".
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Old 01-11-2018, 11:57 AM   #13
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Thor did send me the roof plans for my Miramar.
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Old 01-11-2018, 01:15 PM   #14
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That's a real good start. Pleasemake sure that everything is where they said it would be, before it's time to make holes!
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