help fixing my screw up

[Chams]

I bought a ladder to put on my van. it's Surco brand, cheap. I spent a long time mulling over the proccess, and got some foam padding for the parts that would touch the exterior of the van. Then, I drilled out the very first hole too big.

This is the first time I've altered the outside of the van so I feel like an idiot. someone help

[Twoxentrix]

Don’t know anything about the ladder, but would it be possible to drill out the holes on the ladder mount to match the hole you drilled into the van body so they match? Then just use corresponding size hardware that fits snugly.

EdIT: I wouldn’t recommend “foam” padding because it will deteriorate pretty quickly being exposed to the elements...use rubber.

[gahamby]

Try ever popular fender washers.

[N147JK]

How big is too big? Is it just one hole or all of them? As suggested, can you just drill up to the next size fastener? If you really want a "do over", you might be able to take the interior panel off that's behind the hole, glass and epoxy in a steel patch over the hole, then re-drill it.

I read somewhere that real skill is not avoiding mistakes, it's what one does after a mistake is made. I have tested this theory many times myself!

[MikeChapelHill]

You need a hand rivet nut tool for the hole: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078QK99WN...v_ov_lig_dp_it

[jamesc]

If I remember from my install, it uses rivnuts on the bottom holes, but I'm not sure. You might be able to step up a size. As I think about it, I think I may have done the same thing and stepped up to a bigger screw or rivnut.

If you decide, or are deciding about a do over, make sure your door swings all the way without the ladder hitting the van. I never checked this during install and was just lucky it didn't hit. I never gave it a thought until someone remarked that it was cool how close the tolerance was between the side of the van and the ladder. Ya, I did that on purpose.

[Chams]

I was going to use a rivnut tool on the inside of my van for other things, but I don't know if it will work here because of where the holes are. Though, I've never used one.

The hole is only just barely too big for the included screws, so the suggestion of a larger fastener may be the solution for me. It's just one hole.

The only thing that came with my ladder was a bag full of screws. https://www.carid.com/2006-ford-e-se...ification_mail

Thanks everyone for your suggestions, I'll see if I can use a larger fastener first.

[BrianW]

Originally Posted by Chams

The hole is only just barely too big for the included screws, so the suggestion of a larger fastener may be the solution for me. It's just one hole.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions, I'll see if I can use a larger fastener first.

That would be my suggestion. Size up on the fastener, even if you have to enlarge the hole on the ladder a bit.

[jamesc]

Looking at mine, I think I probably just went a size up screw.

[1der]

Better to use Plus Nuts or Cross nuts in the sheet metal vs the RivNuts. You can use the same setting tool if you get a longer threaded bolt to reach the threads which are a bit further down the shaft of the Plus Nut. much more secure and easier to install.

https://www.pointsunknown.com/blog/2...s-vs-plusnuts/