VHB Tape for Truck and Camper?

[Wandering Sagebrush]

I am thinking about using VHB tape to mount a sewer hose container/tube to my hardside camper, and also to mount Yakima tracks to the cab on my Ranger (not anxious for holes there).

For the sewer hose, I’m planing on some squares of Starboard that will go under the driver side overhang, between the jacks, and then screwing the tube to the Starboard.

On the Ranger, I’m just going to use the tracks for a bar to support canoes and kayaks over the cab. I have racks on the canopy. The boat bow and stern will always be tied down, so there shouldn’t be an upward force.

Has anyone done this? Am I crazy to consider either application?

 

[rando]

I would be a little cautious here.

The roof rack tracks would probably be fine, particularly without a lifting load. However, it still seems a little dodgy - after a couple of years in the sun and rain, when you (or the next owner) has forgotten that they are just taped on, I can see bad things happening.

A better solution for the roof rack tracks would be rivnuts. These are fairly easy to install from the outside roof only, structurally sound and easy to waterproof. This is how most factory racks are attached.

Buy high quality rivnuts from McMaster, but you can use a cheaper tool to install them.

For the sewer tube, VHB tape is likely fine, but I would not use Star-board to screw into. Star-board is HDPE which is a low surface energy plastic - which means that adhesives (including VHB tape) don't stick very well to it. You would do better to use aluminium (more work to drill/tap) or a high surface energy plastic like ABS or PVC or even wood. Here at least you can use a larger squares to get more contact area.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Thank you!

 

[ntsqd]

I'm all for the use of VHB where appropriate, but both applications make me nervous.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

I'm all for the use of VHB where appropriate, but both applications make me nervous.

Yup, me as well. That’s why I asked. The sewer tube would be the least worrisome, as it’s quite light and not subject to a lot of wind stress.

Thanks!

 

[cwdtmmrs]

I'm all for the use of VHB where appropriate, but both applications make me nervous.

IDK. Depending on the surface area of the rack tracks, I would try 3M 4229 tape. I use it in .030" and .060" thickness. Pretty aggressive stuff it applied correctly and enough surface area. I pay about $1200 for a 24" roll.

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/3M-Acrylic-Foam-Tape-4229P-Dark-Gray-0-76-mm-Red-Printed-Liner/?N=5002385+3292041206&rt=rud

http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/1081277O/4229p.pdf

 

[ntsqd]

It was getting enough surface area that concerned me. The tape I have faith in when used correctly.