Another recent post mentioned difficulty in finding an alloy door handle; it prompted me to ask just how many on the forum have had trouble with caravan doors - particularly with the hinges?
Our door - a double arrangement with security wire outer - has hinges of a soft aluminium extrusion of somewhat complex shape. As this our only residence the door has frequent use, but we're still not impressed that the hinges have worn so badly in 3 1/2 years that they are currently being replaced; before we got here to Meadowbrook we'd had to remove the top striker plate to be able to close the door (despite trying to pack the hinges with washers), and on the last leg had to tie the door shut as we couldn't lock it. The rep for the manufacturer claims they'd not had any trouble before!
I know this does sound a bit like a technical question but I put it here as we're looking for others' experiences rather than a 'fix'.
Andrea
grill n chill said
02:32 AM Jul 27, 2012
I have access to security door hinges made of steel in either a white or brown. Thats not to say they are the ones you are needing ofcourse. Can you post a pic with approx demontions? easy to post a set to you IF thay are the ones i have.
Cruising Granny said
03:33 AM Jul 27, 2012
I've had trouble with the door frame dropping, making it difficult to shut and lock the door. A fella helped me jack it up, remove the existing screws, jack it up further until it was in almost the original position and re-screwing, and adding a few more screws. It has stayed in place since then. I really don't know why it dropped, but there is a crack in the laminated sheeting lining the shower, so obviously there's a weakness somewhere in there. The chassis is solid. I had to get a new latch because the off-line door wore the other one until it was unusable. The door is really the weakest part of the van. I have a theory that these vans aren't meant to be used. Just parked in the driveway to impress the neighbours. When we use them all the time, often and frequently, in all kinds of circumstances, they are just not up to it. Get the toughest stuff you can find to it lasts.
Andrea said
12:54 AM Jul 29, 2012
Sorry about the delay in responding - we were moving from Meadowbrook (Qld) to Lismore, and tomorrow again to meet our new hosts at The Channon.
grill n chill wrote:
I have access to security door hinges made of steel in either a white or brown. Thats not to say they are the ones you are needing ofcourse. Can you post a pic with approx demontions? easy to post a set to you IF thay are the ones i have.
Sounds interesting G & C - I'll take a couple of photos after we settle in at The Channon and get back to you, probably Monday or Tuesday.
And your problem sounds a bit like ours, CG. The manufacturer's rep came to look at the door and said 'We've never seen that before!' (find that a bit hard to believe!); he left a new set of hinges of the same type, but that was all. We still can't use the top striker plate, but at least the door now closes properly and locks. It'll do until the next time, I guess, unless G & C's steel ones will fit. I agree with you, Chris - I don't think they allow for people to actually LIVE in a caravan!
Another recent post mentioned difficulty in finding an alloy door handle; it prompted me to ask just how many on the forum have had trouble with caravan doors - particularly with the hinges?
Our door - a double arrangement with security wire outer - has hinges of a soft aluminium extrusion of somewhat complex shape. As this our only residence the door has frequent use, but we're still not impressed that the hinges have worn so badly in 3 1/2 years that they are currently being replaced; before we got here to Meadowbrook we'd had to remove the top striker plate to be able to close the door (despite trying to pack the hinges with washers), and on the last leg had to tie the door shut as we couldn't lock it. The rep for the manufacturer claims they'd not had any trouble before!
I know this does sound a bit like a technical question but I put it here as we're looking for others' experiences rather than a 'fix'.
Andrea
I have access to security door hinges made of steel in either a white or brown. Thats not to say they are the ones you are needing ofcourse. Can you post a pic with approx demontions? easy to post a set to you IF thay are the ones i have.
A fella helped me jack it up, remove the existing screws, jack it up further until it was in almost the original position and re-screwing, and adding a few more screws. It has stayed in place since then. I really don't know why it dropped, but there is a crack in the laminated sheeting lining the shower, so obviously there's a weakness somewhere in there. The chassis is solid.
I had to get a new latch because the off-line door wore the other one until it was unusable.
The door is really the weakest part of the van.
I have a theory that these vans aren't meant to be used. Just parked in the driveway to impress the neighbours. When we use them all the time, often and frequently, in all kinds of circumstances, they are just not up to it.
Get the toughest stuff you can find to it lasts.
Sorry about the delay in responding - we were moving from Meadowbrook (Qld) to Lismore, and tomorrow again to meet our new hosts at The Channon.
Sounds interesting G & C - I'll take a couple of photos after we settle in at The Channon and get back to you, probably Monday or Tuesday.
And your problem sounds a bit like ours, CG. The manufacturer's rep came to look at the door and said 'We've never seen that before!' (find that a bit hard to believe!); he left a new set of hinges of the same type, but that was all. We still can't use the top striker plate, but at least the door now closes properly and locks. It'll do until the next time, I guess, unless G & C's steel ones will fit. I agree with you, Chris - I don't think they allow for people to actually LIVE in a caravan!
