Riv nuts or plus nuts for existing holes

[Chip]

I’m planning to mount some boards in the back of the TC to which I will be attaching other things, like a bed and straps that will hold things to the ceiling. I’ll need a solid mount, and like the idea of plus nuts as described by others here. I’ve never used a plus nut and have some questions.

 

the holes that best align with where I want to place the boards are 0.25” holes. Plus nuts seem to be sized by the dimension of the bolt you want to screw into them. So a quarter inch plus nut won’t fit in a quarter inch hole, correct? Do they make plus nuts or rivnuts that fit quarter inch holes?

 

The plus nuts Amazon lists all seem to be “bulbed”. I think that means the hole into which the plus nut is inserted needs to be a little bigger than the plus nut, correct? It’d be nice if sellers would identify the size hole to drill for the plus nut.

 

If anybody has used plus nuts in holes already existing in the Connect, please tell me the size you used. Also, do I really need plus nuts, or do rivnuts hold strong enough?

[BSJBSJ]

There are already some m10 and m6 threaded holes in the upper back sides and above the side doors. 

 

 

I just installed some more m6 rivet nuts at the rear bottom sides, in existing holes, by the back doors.

 

The center cross beam has two existing holes that will fit m8 rivet nuts.  The others are too small for m6. I would have to drill more holes or enlarge what's already there. The two m8s are enough for me in that location so I don't see adding more nuts.

 

I wouldn't go smaller than m6 unless it was meant for very light weight things.

 

I used this tool. Amazon.com: Rivet Nut Tool, 13" Hand Rivnut Tool Kit with 7 Metric & Inch Mandrel M5 M6 M8 M10,10-24,1/4-20,5/16-18, Nutsert Rivet Tool Set with 35 Pcs Assorted Rivnuts, ORFELD Threaded Insert Hand Riveter : Automotive

Decent quality. Has worked well for the m6 stainless nuts that I've installed.  Similar to these. Amazon.com: Stainless Steel Rivet Nuts M3 M4 M5 M6 M8 M10 M12 Metric Nutsert Rivnuts Assortment Kit : Industrial & Scientific

 

[JackGrimshaw]

The strength of the fasteners depends on the size of the bolt,the type of fastener, the thickness of the sheet metal and the number of fasteners that you use.

For a good discussion of plus nuts vs rivnuts.

 

There is a 3rd type called wellnuts that are lower strength but removable.

 

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hillman-24-x-10-Brass-Brass-Well-Nut/301249

 

All come in various sizes and will need some investigation for your particular use.

 

[Chip]

On 8/26/2022 at 7:47 AM, BSJBSJ said:

There are already some m10 and m6 threaded holes in the upper back sides and above the side doors. 

 

 

I just installed some more m6 rivet nuts at the rear bottom sides, in existing holes, by the back doors.

 

The center cross beam has two existing holes that will fit m8 rivet nuts.  The others are too small for m6. I would have to drill more holes or enlarge what's already there. The two m8s are enough for me in that location so I don't see adding more nuts.

 

I wouldn't go smaller than m6 unless it was meant for very light weight things.

 

I used this tool. Amazon.com: Rivet Nut Tool, 13" Hand Rivnut Tool Kit with 7 Metric & Inch Mandrel M5 M6 M8 M10,10-24,1/4-20,5/16-18, Nutsert Rivet Tool Set with 35 Pcs Assorted Rivnuts, ORFELD Threaded Insert Hand Riveter : Automotive

Decent quality. Has worked well for the m6 stainless nuts that I've installed.  Similar to these. Amazon.com: Stainless Steel Rivet Nuts M3 M4 M5 M6 M8 M10 M12 Metric Nutsert Rivnuts Assortment Kit : Industrial & Scientific

 

 

I ordered the tool and rivet assortment. I'm busted on using existing holes that measure about 5/16, around the sliding doors. M5 is too small and M6 is just a tad too big, though I guess I could try hammering them. It would be easy to expand the holes to fit M6. That would leave a raw metal edge that I'd feel compelled to paint, although it's hard to imagine rust being an issue since these holes are all on the interior.

 

Photo shows holes I'd like to fill with rivets. Two on the angle bracket, top center, three along the door sill--two covered by molding and one at extreme top right.

 

Does anybody know if there is a rivnut that works for those holes?