RV Repair: Travel Trailer stud replacement, metal skin, highway speeds

Question
I am repairing water damage in my travel trailer.  I have taken out all of the damaged walls and studs.  When replacing the studs should they be attached to the outside metal skin at all?

Answer
It sounds like you are doing repairs from the inside out not from the outside in. Normally we will do structural repair from the outside which involves removal of skin in the affected area.You will need to attach the skin to the new framing in some manner depending on how much framing you have replaced.About the only way to mechanically fasten from the inside would be thin L-brackets with one leg twisted in a vise 90 deg. to allow you to hook the bottom lip of each piece of metal then shoot a screw through the other leg into the new stud to secure it.If you run  screws from the outside through the skin it will leak in time and destroy the work you have done If the area is not that large.Make sure the aluminum is clean and apply an adhesive between the stud and skin. Use an adhesive that will bond to both aluminum and wood.We would use either Sika-flex 252 or 221.After adhesive is applied you may have to put a temporary support on the exterior to keep the skin in place while the adhesive sets. This may take a little more time.However you do need something to keep the skin tight to the coach.Each piece of metal slips into a Lock or channel in the piece above it and will eventually slip out if not secured.This could cause a real mess at highway speeds.

Thanks, Chad
Truline RV