Can I Cut These Off?

[Huck]

I need to get under my trailer and these screws/bolts/whatever they are scare me. They come to a point and extend down about 2" lower than everything around them. If the trailer was to drop an inch when I am underneath it could be bad.

I think they just fasten the floor to the frame. I was going to take bolt cutters and snap them off about 1/4" from the frame. Any problem with doing that? Not all of them, just the ones in my way.

[Steve Outlaw]

That will be fine. Better than a sharp screw in your eye...

[Raspy]

No problem getting rid of the extra length. If I was going to do it, I'd use a 4 1/2" grinder with a cutoff wheel. Those are probably pretty hard.

If you don't have one, you can get them at Harbor Freight really cheap, and the wheels too.

[k corbin]

I have cut a lot of stainless and galvanized bolts and screws shorter using a Dremel motor and a fiber reinforced cut off disc. It is a lot easier to hold in your hands and get into tight spaces than a larger angle grinder.

[Raz]

Hard to tell but those look like self drilling screws. My first trailer had them. They rusted away and had to be replaced. You might consider replacing them with standard bolts, galvanized or stainless.

[Jon in AZ]

If it’s anything like a Scamp, there are dozens. Replacing them all... nah. Just cut off the offender, leaving a little sticking out.

[gordon2]

Interesting... you asked "Can I," yet all the answers were to the question, "Should I."



I can see where future removal might be a little more difficult if you cut them off, but that's a minor issue (IMHO).

[Pete Hein]

I'd rather cut them off with a Dremel or a right-angle grinder; that will minimize the damage to the threads, in case you ever need to undo them. The bolt-cutters will mangle the threads, making it difficult to unscrew them.

[minke]

A thought not based on experience: I'd put a nut on the bolt before cutting to be able to unscrew it after cutting using it as a cheap die to chase the threads.


I'd use a 4½" angle grinder too. Expect sparks all over. Make sure that nothing flammable is nearby. Wear gloves. WEAR A FACE MASK.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by k corbin

I have cut a lot of stainless and galvanized bolts and screws shorter using a Dremel motor and a fiber reinforced cut off disc. It is a lot easier to hold in your hands and get into tight spaces than a larger angle grinder.

I have used both methods many hundreds, even thousands of times. Because I mostly do it professionally, I use a grinder with a cut-off blade the vast majority of the time as you can do 10 with it in the same time as with a Dremel, especially when the material is really hard.

But, we all should just do what we are most comfortable with. If it is our own project time is not of the essence in many cases anyway.

[Maria in MD]

Huck, is that a wood floor I see on that Parkliner? I thought they were ALL fiberglass? I'm in the market for a used Parkliner because they are supposedly surround FG and the only thing wood are the cabinet doors. Would like to know, is that a wood floor? TIA.

[Doctor Harold]

Originally Posted by minke

[FONT=DejaVu Sans, sans-serif]...

I'd use a 4½" angle grinder too. Expect sparks all over. Make sure that nothing flammable is nearby. Wear gloves. WEAR A FACE MASK.

and EYE PROTECTION!!!!

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by gordon2

Interesting... you asked "Can I," yet all the answers were to the question, "Should I."



I can see where future removal might be a little more difficult if you cut them off, but that's a minor issue (IMHO).

Future removal won't be a problem. They'll come out faster and easier. Usually the reason for long bolts in seemingly irrational places is to aid installation.

[David B.]

Originally Posted by Maria in MD

Huck, is that a wood floor I see on that Parkliner? I thought they were ALL fiberglass? I'm in the market for a used Parkliner because they are supposedly surround FG and the only thing wood are the cabinet doors. Would like to know, is that a wood floor? TIA.

HC1, EGG, and Lil Snoozy, are the only 3 that I know of that are built like that. There may be others.
Dave & Paula

[minke]

Originally Posted by Doctor Harold

and EYE PROTECTION!!!!

Eye protection is part of a face mask, or in OSHA speak, a face shield.


e.g. https://www.homedepot.com/p/3M-Clear...0025/202195394

[vintageracer]

Wear a helmet when crawling under the trailer to avoid the "Long" bolts rather than cutting em off.

Another easy solution!