Bamboo skirting

[Rooster510]

Going to put up bamboo skirting around my 89 fiberglass Rockwell I want to put an extra strip of wood molding on to staple on bamboo. I am going to go up about 30 inches. Can I drill screws into the fiberglass? I was thinking of spacing them about 3 feet or so and also using glue. Any suggestions?

 

[PastTense]

I don't understand the merits of this. Is it purely decorative?

 

[Patrick46]

sure you can skrew into fiberglass. you can skrew into anything that's softer then the metal of the skrew. The fiberglass with be destroyed and require complete replacement if it's ever gonna look right again.

but my big question is...

WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO??????

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if this is for a decorative skirting, I'd build short lengths of fencing that fit under your rig, and nail the bamboo to that. It'll need it's own framework, but it's gonna need that anyways.

Stay away from the fiberglass!

 

[Drifted_Cowboy]

I could see how well placed and tightly arranged (and sealed) bamboo could insulate and be decorative. Go for it. But i think it would take up a lot of your space in transit and bamboo can get heavy too.

I would try to make short sections of your wall, say 3 feet or under, so you can match the contour of the ground. I would anchor them with some brackets that you just step into the ground. With big long stakes that drive into the ground. That way you can do your thing and not mess with the body of your rig. Maybe get creative and tie them together so they are rigid yet flexible and create a skirt with anchor points every so often. That may keep your weight down.

Are there any structural features low to the ground of your vehicle you could incorporate for support and structure or maybe for design if that's your thing? I saw a lady with a tiki van and a hula girl was running up her ladder.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

I've seen trailers with snaps mounted along the edge that skirting attached to. Again, it would require skrews/rivets. The advantage is easy mounting time after time, or to easily change style of skirts when bamboo becomes worn. I'd only do snaps if I was going to skirt at every camp.
(I actually believe you're referring to "reed" in a roll that are often used as privacy panels on patios, etc...??)
If you're gonna be parked somewhere for a while and just wanna decorate, I think its best to use a framework staked into the ground.

 

[Rooster510]

My rv is in a permanent site and the bamboo would be decorative. My question is can I screw into fiberglass. I just want to mount a strip of molding to the rv so I can staple the bamboo to.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

The simple answer is...yes you can skrew a bat strip to the fiberglass.
If I were to do something like that, I'd use a bit just smaller than the skrew to drill a pilot hole. This not only makes it easier, but also reduces spider cracking....ie: more damage.
Btw...you won't need many skrews to hold that light weight stuff.

 

[Patrick46]

My rv is in a permanent site and the bamboo would be decorative. My question is can I screw into fiberglass. I just want to mount a strip of molding to the rv so I can staple the bamboo to.

Yep, so there ya go. You CAN screw into fiberglass.


but I think it's a bad idea, and that you're gonna seriously regret this. JMO

 

[SoulRaven]

I can’t see any benefit unless you are living there in the winter months.

There is no way I would attach anything combustible either.

 

[Rooster510]

Simple question not answered! I got it done.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

How much more simple could my answer have been??
Maybe drilling pilot holes complicated the matter too much.

Well, glad you have it done and hope you're pleased with the result

 

[Rooster510]

Sorry bind. That was for some of the people worried about why I wanted to do it. Because I want to. That's why.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Sorry bind. That was for some of the people worried about why I wanted to do it. Because I want to. That's why.

Cool, That's about as good a reason as you could ask for, I guess.

 

[Patrick46]

Simple question not answered!

Really???

posts 3,4,7,8 all answered it!

 

[Rooster510]

Sorry people, I just don't like when people act like something is a bad idea, just because they would not do it. Some people like fat and some like them small. All in all it does not matter why someone wants to do what they want to do. It's a choice they have. Thanks for the help. I will post a pic if I find how?

 

[SoulRaven]

Fire Risk

When bamboo plants or stalks are in a dried state, they are very flammable. This is also true when bamboo is green. Bamboo has an internal membrane that is combustible.

 

[Patrick46]

All in all it does not matter why someone wants to do what they want to do. It's a choice they have.

True.

And (trust me), NOONE on here was trying to bust your chops.

It's simply a matter of some folks have absolutely no concept of how their motorhomes are built, and have no idea that the idea that they're contemplating can potentially cause permanent damage to an otherwise good RV. I've personally seen it happen. That's all.


I'm glad you got the job done already, I hope your results were to your liking, and please, do post up some photos when you get the chance. We love creative ideas!!

 

[Fearnoevil]

Patrick and the others are right, and while I don't know much about RV's, I do understand that the point of not drilling holes in the outer body of your shell would be to at least avoid breaking the waterproof exterior and allowing moisture into the walls which could lead to delamination. I hope you at least applied sealant before adding the screws.

Furthermore, if you are permanently parked and wanted a decorative trim, why not build it fence style, as in drive stakes into the ground and then attach the bamboo to that? I don't see the necessity of physically attaching it to your rig, cuz you're not planning on driving down the road with that hanging on there, right?

Thirdly, if you don't want to take peoples advice, and good advice at that from people with a LOT of XP and know-how, then why did you ask in the first place??? From what I read, it sounds like you just wanted someone to simply nod and say "You bet, go for it!" cuz you had your mind made up from the get go....
Some peoples kids, I swear ;?D