Troubles installing hooks

[Videocrafters]

I am attempting to install 4 retractable coat hooks on the outside bathroom wall on my 19. This is the wall that you face as you walk in the trailer. Many others have attached hooks in this location. I tapped the wood to attempt to discover where the wood support is. The bottom screw works fine I can get the screw tight, but the top screw seems like there is no wood support behind it. The screw strips out with only slight turning force. Does anyone know where the wood support is located... how far down from the top and how wide is that support.
Maybe I should just give up on these hooks and buy the Umbra hooks that others have used plus if I move my current hooks lower I am going to have an exposed hole that won't look nice and I will have new holes close to the old holes that might sacrifice strength. I'm thinking the Umbra hooks might cover up my mistakes.
It has not been a good day!

[cpaharley2008]

Those hooks look like they would hold a lot of weight, I'd switch hooks to a smaller, single hole type.....less damage.

[gbaglo]

A couple large 5lb. 3M Command hooks would work well there, and cover up the holes. Mine are "brushed nickle". No screws involved.

[GoCampBC]

I think there is only 1 2x2 running across the wall with a gap above it (as you found out). There are some build pictures that show where the wood is, but just pushing the paneling works well to figure it out as well. We didn't much like the umbra hooks and also installed individual hooks, but both screws were able to hit that 1 2x2.

[Shearwater]

At this point, with the holes drilled, just use a Hillman type nylon pop toggle.

[HABBERDABBER]

Originally Posted by Shearwater

At this point, with the holes drilled, just use a Hillman type nylon pop toggle.

Spot on advice if you want to use your existing hooks.

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by Shearwater

At this point, with the holes drilled, just use a Hillman type nylon pop toggle.

I also used metal toggles in that location. If I remember though the space between the outer wall and bath shell is not much. The toggles were too long to go in the cavity and open up so I just cut the wings down a bit. They really do hold the Umbra cubby well on that thin paneling and should do the same for the OP’s hooks. The hole is a little bit bigger than one might like but if you never plan to remove the hooks then it doesn’t really matter.

[C&G in FL]

Originally Posted by Shearwater

At this point, with the holes drilled, just use a Hillman type nylon pop toggle.

Assuming the space between the two layers is long enough, I would agree that nylon pop toggles are the way to go. Or if you want to spend a hefty sum of cash, you could invest in nurserts and the tool to install them. Then replace the screw with an appropriately sized machine screw (bolt). Nutserts are somewhat related to pop rivets. Psychologically, we always want a screw to have a firm grip and be tight. However, as robust as they look, you will not be hanging 50 lbs. on your hooks. In reality, the bottom screw will hold up whatever you wish to hang, and the top screw just needs to stay in place and not back out. You might be able to accomplish this by applying Proflex or silicon to the threads, screw it in, and allow it to dry. It should keep the screws in place, but they will be removable if necessary. Another fix would be to purchase 1/4-inch thick oak by 2 or 3 inches wide (Lowe’s and Home Depot sell it in short pieces). Finish it with satin lacquer or varnish and it will be a close match to the paper veneer on the wall. Attach an appropriate length of it to the framing which you already found with the bottom screw of your hooks. If you lay it out carefully, you can hide the attachment screws by placing them where they will be covered by/underneath your hooks. Then, attach your hooks to this solid oak strip.

[Videocrafters]

Success!!