Opinions on drilling through the rear floor

[macro]

I've got a fridge/freezer slide I need to install, the easiest way is going to be to drill through the floor and bolt it straight through. However, I've never done that and I want to make sure it's done properly. The only other way I can think to bolt it down is to build something around it which I won't be able to do for a few months.

Anyone done this or have any ideas for me?

[thelazygreenfox]

drill a small pilot hole first, locate it under your van and measure to the other holes before you commit. Too often there's something in the way on the bottom.
TLWF

[Erich]

Obviously, you have to lacte it where it doesn't intersect with something. Beyond that, I would use nutserts to fasten. These go by different names, depending on the manufacturer. They act essentially like pop rivets or blind rivets, but are steel and have female threads. The advantage is that they don't require a wrench or nut on the underside and they seal well and are very solid.

[punkrawker]

i would use big fender washers top and bottom or better yet a flat piece of steel from princess auto, coat it with rocker guard or something to stop rust and use that instead of the fender washers. this will give your slide out a very sturdy base and make it a heck of a lot more difficult for it to tear through the floor should your slide out get hit hard by some something (that's why they are called accidents because nobody planned for sh1t to happen)

[punkrawker]

before you drill anything, pull up the carpet (if you haven't done so already) and check for rust!!! If no rust and you know exactly where you want to install the slide out, scuff up the metal and give it a shot of anti rust pain/rocker guard to prevent rust from developing between the bottom of slide out (fridges create heat, cold steel plus heat equals condensation, condensation build up leads to rust) if this happens under neath something, you wont know its there until its too late. pretty much the same reason why plastic drop in bed liners for trucks have gone the way of the dinosaurs.

[macro]

My plan is to avoid drilling the floor all together. At least until I leave Ontario. I'm sure the rust will start as soon as I look at with the salt spray. I'm going to build something off the shelf I already have, no permanent damage that way!