Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Hi Folks, I have a hardware question.

I am going to bolt my tear drop to it's frame, and the bolts are going to be inside the composite walls.

I was thinking that I would leave small cutouts inside so that I could access the bolt tops to keep them tight, but then I had an idea.

Do they make a bolt washer that grabs the bolt head, and that has teeth that sink into the wood to keep the bolt from spinning?

If so, do you have a link to where to get them and what are they called?

If there is such a thing then I won't need to leave little access holes that would not be as attractive and would be an insulation leak and be extra work to make.

Thanks again!
Galen

I think you are looking for a T nut. Check your local hardware store. Bolt runs through the back side and sucks the teeth into the wood. For keeping them tight....use some loc-tite. Doug

Sometimes called torque washers



Link (scroll to bottom of page)

Perfect! Thanks for the link. I figured they had to make such a thing.

And yes, I will use loc-tite, but I am going through several thicknesses of wood, which after time may dry and compress a bit, so I may need to tighten them up once in awhile.

If you need a nut then "T" nuts will be the best. If you need a bolt then "elevator" bolts with teeth will be what you need. Elevator bolts look like carriage bolts but they have a larger flat head. Fastenal or any industrial nut and bolt supplier should have them. You can look them up on line in the "Granger or MSC" catalogs. 3/8 is a common size. These are also good for attaching the fenders. You can even get them in stainless steel if you want.

David.

I used simple 3/8" carriage bolts. No reason to over complicate things. the square shoulders will hold the bolt while you tighten the nuts from below.

One other option is a threaded insert which I've used on occasion. Drill a hole, screw in the insert, and the you can screw the bolt into that. You can get them from any of the woodworking hardware placed and come in #10, 1/4, and I think I saw them in 3/8 (which is mighty big!). You would need hardwood, preferably, burried in you composite panel (this could even be a foam panel with the insert made from a hardwood, or plywood plug or dowel (or even solid epoxy with some chopped fibers mixed in. This can also be done after the factby drilling a small hole, and hogging the inside out with the short end of a Allen wrench using a drill. Drill small hole, fill with epoxy, drill and insert through bolt, or use a panel insert (Sur-loc makes several and their manual tells how to install them).

I used T-nuts. They are still tight and they are recessed so They are where I want them not just on the sides.