B class ceilings

[anon125]

2019 travato 59K
the smoke alarm came off.
when i tried to put it back on i found the ceiling was sqishy soft.
what do the attachment screws - screw into? nothing solid thats for sure.
is this normal?
thanks all

 

[Ohiosnowbird]

Why not use construction adhesive

https://www.homedepot.com/pep/Gorilla-2-5-oz-Construction-Adhesive-Tube-80200/206939631?mtc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-BNG-D24-024_004_ADHESIVES-NA-NA-NA-PLALIA-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-2024&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-BNG-D24-024_004_ADHESIVES-NA-NA-NA-PLALIA-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-2024-21377258589-168822742932-2314265976418&msclkid=496733e9dcf51a8bdd715be8cfe09874&gclid=496733e9dcf51a8bdd715be8cfe09874&gclsrc=3p.ds&gad_source=7

 

[gwinger]

Why not use construction adhesive

https://www.homedepot.com/pep/Gorilla-2-5-oz-Construction-Adhesive-Tube-80200/206939631?mtc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-BNG-D24-024_004_ADHESIVES-NA-NA-NA-PLALIA-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-2024&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-BNG-D24-024_004_ADHESIVES-NA-NA-NA-PLALIA-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-2024-21377258589-168822742932-2314265976418&msclkid=496733e9dcf51a8bdd715be8cfe09874&gclid=496733e9dcf51a8bdd715be8cfe09874&gclsrc=3p.ds&gad_source=7

And how do you remove it if it needs replaced?

 

[gwinger]

2019 travato 59K
the smoke alarm came off.
when i tried to put it back on i found the ceiling was sqishy soft.
what do the attachment screws - screw into? nothing solid thats for sure.
is this normal?
thanks all

If the ceiling is that soft, you may have a water leak. If it's just that the holes are stripped to a point that the screw won't hold, you can use molly anchors. They flare out on the inside.

 

[Ohiosnowbird]

And how do you remove it if it needs replaced?

Scraper.

Husky 3 in. Scraper with Stainless Steel Blade 90984 - The Home Depot

Complete your next home decorating project with the help of this durable Husky Stiff Scraper.

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The other way to secure the alarm is with velcro.

 

[gwinger]

Scraper.

Husky 3 in. Scraper with Stainless Steel Blade 90984 - The Home Depot

Complete your next home decorating project with the help of this durable Husky Stiff Scraper.

www.homedepot.com

The other way to secure the alarm is with velcro.

Scraping that adhesive is going to destroy the wall covering. It's paper thin.
Velcro may work but it won't support much weight or bouncing down the road.
The best option other than the molly's is 3M Dual Lock.
It's like velcro on steroids.
I've used it to mount things inside and outside. It will peel off without causing damage.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

It's fairly common for motorhome ceilings to be largely dense foam, so lightweight things attached to the ceiling aren't attached to anything very solid. If the screws strip the crumbly foam, see if you can move it slightly so the screws get a fresh piece of foam to bit into. And don't try to snug it up tight.

 

[anon125]

screws seem tight.
it does have a tin ceiling above the ceiling cloth with something in between
thanks all