Camping in Northern WA around 90Km of Tar and 10Km of dirt track from the nearest town, the loose door handle on our Camec caravan door broke. I ordered 2via ebay/Post express and they duly arrived at the Post Office a week later.
Luckly we were not in the van at the time. Then the problem how to use the door/lock for 7 days until the arrival of the new handle. A Friend we were camping with had prior experience with these locks, we removed the inside lock, removed the broken piece still in the lock and put the fitting back on the door.
Cut a slot out of a 8mm small socket and with the socket handle used that to lock/unlock the door until the new handle arrived.
Easily fitted the new handle and to ensure that the wood screw thread that fitted into the plastic handle did not come loose again, I used Loctite to ensure it stayed together over rough roads.
That night at around 10pm our dog and I went for a walk B4 bed, on closing the door,with both inside, the new handle came off in my hand. The locktite had melted the screw thread in plastic handle. SWMBO in bed heard my exclamation and shouted "Put the lights on", then "How Are We Going To Get Out". I had the socket in the van, but the ratchet handle was back with the kit in the cruiser, found another open jaw spanner that did the job, until morning when the 2nd handle was put on .. Without locktite.
Am going to purchase a backup inner and outter door handle..... just in case.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhomy8sR6r0
-- Edited by PeterInSa on Sunday 20th of July 2025 05:58:30 PM
I've never heard of this issue before but I'll keep it in mind for the rare occasions I use loctite. I can think of a couple of alternatives to keep the screw in:
1. thread tape (as used with plumbing fittings).
2. A dab of suitable glue or silastic on top of the scew - although it would need to be something that could be scraped off if if you need to remove the screw.
Dick0 said
01:36 PM Jul 21, 2025
Rodsvan wrote:
I've never heard of this issue before but I'll keep it in mind for the rare occasions I use loctite. I can think of a couple of alternatives to keep the screw in: 1. thread tape (as used with plumbing fittings). 2. A dab of suitable glue or silastic on top of the scew - although it would need to be something that could be scraped off if if you need to remove the screw.
Gutter silicone, is cheap and will secure screw and can always be removed easily.
Ineedabiggerboat said
02:55 PM Jul 21, 2025
I use nail polish cause I never have Loctite
Possum3 said
09:59 AM Jul 23, 2025
Ineedabiggerboat wrote:
I use nail polish cause I never have Loctite
Nail polish is acetone based which will also melt plastic and nylon fittings.
Camping in Northern WA around 90Km of Tar and 10Km of dirt track from the nearest town, the loose door handle on our Camec caravan door broke. I ordered 2via ebay/Post express and they duly arrived at the Post Office a week later.
Luckly we were not in the van at the time. Then the problem how to use the door/lock for 7 days until the arrival of the new handle. A Friend we were camping with had prior experience with these locks, we removed the inside lock, removed the broken piece still in the lock and put the fitting back on the door.
Cut a slot out of a 8mm small socket and with the socket handle used that to lock/unlock the door until the new handle arrived.
Easily fitted the new handle and to ensure that the wood screw thread that fitted into the plastic handle did not come loose again, I used Loctite to ensure it stayed together over rough roads.
That night at around 10pm our dog and I went for a walk B4 bed, on closing the door,with both inside, the new handle came off in my hand. The locktite had melted the screw thread in plastic handle. SWMBO in bed heard my exclamation and shouted "Put the lights on", then "How Are We Going To Get Out". I had the socket in the van, but the ratchet handle was back with the kit in the cruiser, found another open jaw spanner that did the job, until morning when the 2nd handle was put on .. Without locktite.
Am going to purchase a backup inner and outter door handle..... just in case.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhomy8sR6r0
-- Edited by PeterInSa on Sunday 20th of July 2025 05:58:30 PM
Gutter silicone, is cheap and will secure screw and can always be removed easily.
Nail polish is acetone based which will also melt plastic and nylon fittings.