Barrier posts to protect van

[Grahamh]

I park the van on a shared drive. Neighbour parks his car next to the van. He has small children who keep opening the car door onto the van. Over the last year I have acquired about 10 small dents in the van. Spoke to the neighbour who is apologetic but am loathe to get it repaired only for it to happen again. I could store the van but like the convenience of it here whenever we want to use it. I thought about putting two or three fixed posts alongside - traffic posts with the plastic boards link them to stop the car door. I could move them when I take the van outing.
But where to get them?

 

[Sproket]

Is this what you mean ?
premierbarriers.co.uk/catalog/safety-barriers

 

[ValA.]

Why don't you hang some heavy duty pipe lagging threaded on strings lengthways along the side of the van, at two or three different heights where the car door might knock the van, and just tie the string around the grab handles front and back - easy and cheap to make, easy to remove, and should prevent any further dints?????

 

[Grahamh]

was thinking of about 3 uprights which slot into fixed bases bolted to the ground with rails slotted into them alongside the van. When I move the van I take out the posts and rails.The only things left will be the bases. I've seen them somewhere.

 

[Rita1]

anything suitable here

http://www.barriersdirect.co.uk/

 

[philspot1]

I would hesitate before hanging anything - even soft foam - against the side of the caravan. Over time, the continual slight movement (from the wind) will wear marks on the thin paint coating (dirt/grit will get into the foam whatever you do).
I would consider using two (or three, depends on body length) 2' fence panels. Stand them in a line beside the van, screw a batten along the top and the bottom on "your" side, then attach three battens at right angles from this base, one to go under the front steady, one under the rear one, and one under the wheel. Attach a diagonal (use ordinary door hinges) from each of these battens up to (near) the top of the fence panel (another door hinge). You need to set it up away from the van to get the measurements right first. (How close to the van do you want it to stand?) To use, jack van up, slide whole thing into place, lower jack, lower steadies - the barrier is now rigidly supported at a distance of x" from the van. (OK, put some foam along the top edge for "just in case", but unless someone really crashes into it you'll be fine. You could even make a "door" partway along to give access to the van door, but that's a bit over the top!
If you don't want some 2"x2" under your tyre, fix the batten to a bit of board and use that under the tyre.
If you're handy with a saw and screwdriver, the whole thing need cost no more than £50 using B&Q

 

[Grahamh]

I like that idea. The fold down posts seem best but are v expensive. I thought of 3 fold down security posts but your idea is much cheaper. I like the idea of using the steadies to anchor it.
Thanks

 

[philspot1]

You're welcome. You may need to experiment a bit with dimensions before you try it in place, and probably put in another upright bit on one or both panels, but it should work. Let us know how you get on.