How to fix enclosed trailer door?

This is a 1990s Pace Shadow trailer.

So the "bolts" in the attached pics pulled out of the sheet metal they were screwed into. I'm not sure if they are actually bolts since I didn't see any nuts behind them but the tips are not pointy for whatever it's worth. Does anyone know how to "fix" this so that the door is solidly attached?

I managed to snug the bolts down to the sheet metal but it's just a matter of time til they loosen again.

It seems like I can pry the plywood-ish interior apart to expose the back of the "bolts" and get some nuts on them. However, that is a lot of work. I've never used a nutsert but it seems like it might do the job also.

What do you guys think is the best way to fix this?

Thanks.

A nutsert will only work if there is a thin enough material for them to go through and expand. Do the bolts thread into the plywood inner structure? If so I would use soft wood threaded inserts.

http://www.grainger.com/category/hex-drive-thread-inserts/thread-insert/fasteners/ecatalog/N-8nx

Depending on what's on the other side of that wall, remove one bolt at a time and punch a drill through the wall. On the inside go for a fender washer and Teflon locking nut. (chrome with a covered acorn for aesthetics)

+1 for drilling through and bolting it. I've done this and it worked well.

If the wall is plywood I would use T-nuts. Just remove the existing bolt, drill a thru hole (Will have to enlarge the hole slightly on the inside, insert T-nut from the inside and use a longer bolt.

if it's anything like my trailer, they are just self tapping 3/8 bolts. on my rear door latch they pulled out so i put a washer and 3/8 nut on the backside and cranked them back down. i gather you'll need to do the same. expose the back and nut/washer them

patgizz wrote: if it's anything like my trailer, they are just self tapping 3/8 bolts. on my rear door latch they pulled out so i put a washer and 3/8 nut on the backside and cranked them back down. i gather you'll need to do the same. expose the back and nut/washer them

That's what it looked like. How'd you get to the backside? I have no idea how trailers come apart.

It was an empty channel behind the bolt. The inner wood panel is an inch or two past the bolt as far as I could tell trying to peer in there.

Thanks.

Drill all the way through and see how much air gap there is between layers. If none, use longer bolts with fender washers and nuts. If there is a gap I'd take a hole saw to the inner side and remove the plywood. Put the washers and nuts on the inner side of the metal exterior, or put a sleeve in the hole and make up a plate to catch both bolts on each hinge. I'd just be wary of crushing the wall if it happens to have an air gap, that's why I'd do all this.