How do I remove the pvc pipe inside the propane cover?

mickietucs
mickietucs Member Posts: 720
in Tips & Tricks
Can anyone tell me what tool I need to remove that pvc pipe inside the cover? I won't use it to store anything and with my larger battery it's a tight fit and I want more room to get at the propane tank. I looked and can't figure out if those are rivets holding it in. I tried various screw heads (they look round) but no luck so far. Thanks!
Michele, Tucson, AZ. TV - '13 F150 & '16 T@Bitha special order.


You never really travel alone. The world is full of friends waiting to get to know you!

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  • jkjenn
    jkjenn Member Posts: 6,417
    I just drilled out the rivets when I removed mine.

    2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014

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  • mickietucs
    mickietucs Member Posts: 720
    Uh oh...didn't want to hear that Jenn! Is that the only way to get that dang thing out? I'm not very experienced with a drill and might mess something up. Perhaps it's time to ask a friend :)
    Michele, Tucson, AZ. TV - '13 F150 & '16 T@Bitha special order.


    You never really travel alone. The world is full of friends waiting to get to know you!

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  • Verna
    Verna Member Posts: 6,876
    mickietucs said:
    Uh oh...didn't want to hear that Jenn! Is that the only way to get that dang thing out? I'm not very experienced with a drill and might mess something up. Perhaps it's time to ask a friend :)
    It's a good time to learn, Michele. It's soft aluminum and not that hard to drill out the rivets.
    Verna, Columbus, IN
    2021 T@B 320S  Boondock “The T@B”
    Towed by a white 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercab, 3.5L V6 Ecoboost “The Truck”
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  • jkjenn
    jkjenn Member Posts: 6,417
    Verna said:
    It's a good time to learn, Michele. It's soft aluminum and not that hard to drill out the rivets.
    Agreed. Michele, you've got this!  

    2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014

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  • mickietucs
    mickietucs Member Posts: 720
    Ok - I'll give it a try. Do I still from the outside (I hope) and did you put something on to cover the hole? What size drill bit? YouTube videos show putting oil on the drill bit.  
    Michele, Tucson, AZ. TV - '13 F150 & '16 T@Bitha special order.


    You never really travel alone. The world is full of friends waiting to get to know you!

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  • John_and_Kris
    John_and_Kris Member Posts: 302
    After it's out depending on the hole size you could get a plug from Lowes that just pushes into the hole and it is rubber
    John - Kris & our Golden "Blossom"
    South Carolina
    Live simply,Love generously,Care deeply,Speak Kindly,Leave the rest to God
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  • jkjenn
    jkjenn Member Posts: 6,417
    mickietucs said:
    Ok - I'll give it a try. Do I still from the outside (I hope) and did you put something on to cover the hole? What size drill bit? YouTube videos show putting oil on the drill bit.  
    I put a tad bit of oil on the rivets but I am not sure how necessary it was. Yes, from the outside. I can't remember what size. I have a multi kit and just used one that matched the indentation on the head of the rivet.

    2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014

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  • jkjenn
    jkjenn Member Posts: 6,417
    The holes are so tiny that you won't notice them, IMHO.

    2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014

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  • ChanW
    ChanW Member Posts: 3,165
    edited February 2016
    Drill slowly using a bit that's a little larger than the diameter of the rivet's stem/hole, and the top of the rivet will come off. Then you can sometimes push the rivet out of the hole without damaging the plastic at all...
    Chan  -  near Buffalo NY
    2014 S Maxx
    2011 Tacoma 4cyl ... edit: 2022 Tacoma 6cyl - oh yeah! 

     A_Little_T@b'll_Do_Ya
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  • JandJ92010
    JandJ92010 Member Posts: 304
    Most rivets are either 1/8 or 3/16 inch. The ones one the TAB look to be 3/16. Drill it from the front and the head should come off and then pull the rest of it apart.
    The HobbiT@B, 2015-L, towed by a2014 RAM C/V
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  • RZRBUG
    RZRBUG Member Posts: 890
    If you do it yourself, wear safety glasses/goggles.  It's no fun ending up in the emergency room having a piece of metal dug from your eye.  I know I've mentioned this elsewhere on this forum, so I repeat myself...and likely will again if it comes up.

    Larry & Booger - 2013 T@B, 2012 GMC Sierra

    Happy Trails Y'all

    States Visited Map

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  • mickietucs
    mickietucs Member Posts: 720
    Thanks for the rivet size and also reminder about wearing safety goggles - will do. Those are something I did buy and are in my tool box.
    Michele, Tucson, AZ. TV - '13 F150 & '16 T@Bitha special order.


    You never really travel alone. The world is full of friends waiting to get to know you!

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  • mickietucs
    mickietucs Member Posts: 720
    I did it!!! Thanks everyone for the boost of confidence. The bottom one came out easier than the top - but I got the pvc pipe out. Next project - putting a sewer hose "container" on the frame/hitch side like Verna did. I'm feeling better about trying things out ---
    Michele, Tucson, AZ. TV - '13 F150 & '16 T@Bitha special order.


    You never really travel alone. The world is full of friends waiting to get to know you!

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  • Verna
    Verna Member Posts: 6,876
    mickietucs said:
    I did it!!! Thanks everyone for the boost of confidence. The bottom one came out easier than the top - but I got the pvc pipe out. Next project - putting a sewer hose "container" on the frame/hitch side like Verna did. I'm feeling better about trying things out ---
    Great! Isn't it nice knowing that some things you think are difficult really aren't!  You can do the sewer pipe holder. Piece of cake!  Be sure to put chocks behind the tires and put the tongue jack all the way up to give yourself plenty of room to work underneath. Put the stabilizers down, too. 
    Verna, Columbus, IN
    2021 T@B 320S  Boondock “The T@B”
    Towed by a white 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercab, 3.5L V6 Ecoboost “The Truck”
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  • Michigan_Mike
    Michigan_Mike Member Posts: 2,858
    smilie  You guys crack me up!!!  smilie


    smilie
    Mike - Elmira, Mi / 2019 T@B 400 / 2021 Chevy Silverado LTZ
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  • Verna
    Verna Member Posts: 6,876
    @Michigan_Mike , a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do ;-)
    Verna, Columbus, IN
    2021 T@B 320S  Boondock “The T@B”
    Towed by a white 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercab, 3.5L V6 Ecoboost “The Truck”
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  • Ratkity
    Ratkity Member Posts: 3,770
    Ain't no one here with extensive experience and the muscle offering to do my mods for me. Just leaves me. If Verna and Jenn can do it, I can too!! If it breaks, it needed replacing. 

    Next mod - digital thermostat. Gotta order one. Need some touch up paint. 
    2017 820R Retro Toy Hauler from 2015 Tabitha T@B from 2009 Reverse LG Teardrop (but a T@Bluver at heart)
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  • Verna
    Verna Member Posts: 6,876
    Ratkity said:
    Ain't no one here with extensive experience and the muscle offering to do my mods for me. Just leaves me. If Verna and Jenn can do it, I can too!! If it breaks, it needed replacing. 

    Next mod - digital thermostat. Gotta order one. Need some touch up paint. 
    Digital thermostat--piece of cake!  You'll wonder why you waited so long!  I was able to cut the hole in the wall larger using a drywall saw (boondocking at the time and I didn't bring any cordless power saws with me.)
    Verna, Columbus, IN
    2021 T@B 320S  Boondock “The T@B”
    Towed by a white 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercab, 3.5L V6 Ecoboost “The Truck”
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  • Nomad
    Nomad Member Posts: 7,209
    Verna - Only you would carry a drywall saw while boondocking :-)
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  • Verna
    Verna Member Posts: 6,876
    PXLated said:
    Verna - Only you would carry a drywall saw while boondocking :-)
    Would I disappoint you if I told you I bought the cheapest one Walmart had after I received the digital thermostat?
    Verna, Columbus, IN
    2021 T@B 320S  Boondock “The T@B”
    Towed by a white 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercab, 3.5L V6 Ecoboost “The Truck”
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  • mickietucs
    mickietucs Member Posts: 720
    I think Verna could make her way around the country giving T@B modification lessons to all us single females who didn't take shop class (back then it was Home Economics for the females --- wish I had taken shop)! Verna - it could be a new WorKamper job for you!
    Michele, Tucson, AZ. TV - '13 F150 & '16 T@Bitha special order.


    You never really travel alone. The world is full of friends waiting to get to know you!

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  • Verna
    Verna Member Posts: 6,876
    mickietucs said:
    I think Verna could make her way around the country giving T@B modification lessons to all us single females who didn't take shop class (back then it was Home Economics for the females --- wish I had taken shop)! Verna - it could be a new WorKamper job for you!
    My parents wouldn't let me take shop classes in high school--I HAD to take 
    Home Ec per my parents.

    So, I taught myself woodworking by reading and taking evening classes, and buying my first home taught me a lot of other stuff. I paid $70 once for a plumber to change a water heater element and I always changed it after that. It pays to watch and ask questions!  


    Verna, Columbus, IN
    2021 T@B 320S  Boondock “The T@B”
    Towed by a white 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercab, 3.5L V6 Ecoboost “The Truck”
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  • Nomad
    Nomad Member Posts: 7,209
    Don't feel bad gals, there's a lot of guys that "did" take shop and are total putzes at it.
    And, you eat way more often than you fix things (except for Verna).
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  • Verna
    Verna Member Posts: 6,876
    Just do not ask me to fix plumbing!  My brother taught me that you break three things for every one you fix, and he'll tell you that, too.  I have no patience for plumbing.  
    Verna, Columbus, IN
    2021 T@B 320S  Boondock “The T@B”
    Towed by a white 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercab, 3.5L V6 Ecoboost “The Truck”
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  • Nomad
    Nomad Member Posts: 7,209
    And remember - Anything you try to fix will take three trips to the hardware store.
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  • Verna
    Verna Member Posts: 6,876
    And, if you buy an extra piece "just in case" you will never ever use this piece ;-)
    Verna, Columbus, IN
    2021 T@B 320S  Boondock “The T@B”
    Towed by a white 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercab, 3.5L V6 Ecoboost “The Truck”
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  • Nomad
    Nomad Member Posts: 7,209
    Yep - My father had a whole garage full of extras - The hardware store guy would send people to my dad if he was out of something.
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