Quick answer: many enclosed cargo trailers and RV or camper interiors use plastic push rivets on their wall and trim panels. To replace one, first check that the old fastener really is a push rivet (a two-piece clip with a centre pin). Then measure the hole and the panel stack. If the hole is 8mm (5/16") and the panel layers add up to roughly 2–6mm, our 8mm trailer and RV panel push rivets are the matching part. They press in by hand, with no rivet gun.
Panel rivets go missing sooner or later. Some get popped out for wiring work, some get lost when a panel comes off, and some crack when a panel gets bumped. Replacing them is a five-minute job if you start with the right part, so this guide walks through identifying, measuring, removing and installing them.
Step 1: Identify the fastener you are replacing
"Wall panel rivet" can mean several different parts. Only one of them is a push rivet, and the replacement has to match the original type.
| What you see | What it is | Replace with |
|---|---|---|
| Round head with a visible centre pin; the pin pops up when pried | Push rivet (expansion rivet), two pieces | 8mm push rivet if the hole is 8mm |
| One-piece clip with a ribbed, fir-tree shank (often sold as a "ribbed push-in rivet") | Christmas tree clip | The same clip type; see push rivets vs other clips |
| Head with a Phillips slot in the centre | Screw rivet | Unscrew it, don't pry; replace like for like |
| Metal head, often painted to match the wall | Metal pop (blind) rivet | Not a push-rivet job; it needs a rivet tool |
| Screw head or staple | Screw or staple | Re-use the same fastener type |
Exterior parts such as awning rails, roof trim and the outer skin are usually held by screws or metal rivets, not plastic push rivets. This guide covers interior wall and trim panels that use plastic push rivets.
Step 2: Measure the hole and the panel stack
- Hole size. Measure the hole, not the old rivet, because used rivets deform. A 5/16" drill bit that slips through freely is the quickest check, since 5/16" is the inch equivalent of 8mm. Calipers work too.
- Panel stack. Measure every layer the rivet passes through at that hole: the wall panel plus any trim strip, FRP edge trim or frame tab behind it. Our rivet suits a combined stack of roughly 2–6mm.
- Back clearance. The rivet is 21mm long overall, and its legs open behind the panel. Make sure nothing directly behind the hole, such as wiring, insulation or a frame member, blocks that space.
| Your measurement | In inches | 8mm push rivet? |
|---|---|---|
| Hole 8mm | 5/16" | Yes, that is the size it is made for |
| Hole clearly smaller than 8mm (around 6mm) | about 1/4" | No; we don't stock the smaller size |
| Hole clearly larger than 8mm (around 10mm) | about 3/8" | No; we don't stock the larger size |
| Panel stack 2–6mm | about 1/16" to 1/4" | Yes |
| Panel stack over 6mm | over 1/4" | Outside the range; check the original part |
Need the full method? The push rivet size guide covers hole measuring, and push rivet length and grip range explains how to measure a panel stack.
Step 3: Remove the old rivets without damaging the panel
- Lift the centre pin first. Slide a trim tool or small flat blade under the pin only and raise it a few millimetres. That relaxes the legs.
- Then lift the whole head. With the pin up, the rivet body usually pulls out with light pressure under the full head.
- Protect the panel surface. Thin luan and FRP mark easily. Lever against a scrap of wood or a wide trim tool, never against the panel edge.
- Broken rivet? If the head snaps off, push the remains through into the wall cavity rather than enlarging the hole.
The full walkthrough is in how to remove push rivets. Use new rivets when you refit the panel, because the legs of an old rivet deform during removal.
Step 4: Fit the new rivets
- Line up the panel hole with the hole behind it.
- Push the rivet body in until the head sits flat on the panel.
- Press the centre pin down flush with your thumb. That spreads the legs behind the panel.
To take the panel off again later, for wiring or a leak check, lift the pin and the rivet comes out. That is the big advantage over screws on interior panels: no stripped screw heads, and panels come off cleanly for wiring access.
How many rivets to order
Count the holes on the panels you are working on, then add spares: plan on losing or breaking 10–15% on any real job. The rivets come as singles or in 50, 100, 250, 500 and 1,000-packs. The quantity calculator turns a job into a pack size, and the trailer and RV panel rivet collection has the packs. The same 8mm rivet is also listed as a universal 8mm push rivet in the same pack sizes.
Orders ship via USPS within 1–2 business days from our South Carolina warehouse, and we currently ship within the United States (shipping policy).
FAQ
Will these fit my RV shower wall or decorative wall panels?
Only if the existing fasteners are plastic push rivets in 8mm (5/16") holes with a panel stack of roughly 2–6mm. We can't confirm fit for a specific RV model, so measure one hole and one panel stack before ordering.
What colour are they?
Black nylon, with a 15mm round head. We don't currently offer other colours.
Do I need a rivet gun?
No. Push rivets press in by hand. A rivet gun is only needed for metal pop rivets, which are a different part.
Can I reuse the old rivets?
It's better not to. The legs deform when a rivet is removed, so a fresh one sits more reliably in the hole.
What size is a standard trailer wall rivet?
There isn't one universal size, which is why measuring matters. Our trailer and RV rivet is the 8mm (5/16") size; if your holes measure about 1/4" or 3/8", it isn't the right part.
Where do you ship?
Within the United States. Orders ship via USPS within 1–2 business days from our South Carolina warehouse.