Caravan bathroom door

[Stevejj]

Hi everyone, this is a weird one, I have a 2017 Sterling Eccles 510 which I must say is in tiptop condition for age, everything was fine for about 5 years then one spring morning in 2022 after a winter's shut down started to clean the interior of my van, when I opened the toilet door the laminate just above the door knob had lifted and split about 6 inches apart, I made a repair by gluing and taping in position till dry, you can hardly see the repair (thank god), all has been ok since until this morning while preparing the van once again above original repair the same thing has happened again, it's as if with the temperature changes the laminate needs to expand but is unable to so splits and cracks, has anyone else had experiences of this and the fact all was ok the first 5 years, one other thing we have never used the shower so not moisture from shower being used.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Unfortunately the interiors of caravans are made of light weight materials, which also means they are more vulnerable to issues especially over time as the heat cycling can break down glue joints and even the fibrous structures of wood can weaken. Just bad luck I think.

 

[Jcloughie]

A possible fix is to fit door push plates. Try Googling. Might hide the damage and look like it was designed to be there.

John

 

[IanB1485]

can you post a photo of the damage ? just interested in case I come across the same. i have come across the top vinyl coming away from the base material , but not splitting of the base material

 

[Stevejj]

can you post a photo of the damage ? just interested in case I come across the same. i have come across the top vinyl coming away from the base material , but not splitting of the base material

Hello Ian, I did take a couple of photos. Steve

 

[GaryB]

2016 Swifts (and possibly a bit later) were known for the adhesive to fail on edge trims so this could be similar. Personally I think the best repair would be to remove the door, re-glue the offending area and clamp a large piece of MDF on top (with grease-proof paper between) to squeeze all air out of the repair. Once dried the repair line will be visible but the door could be sprayed or even vinyl wrapped to disguise it.

 

[toad a caravan]

I've seen this on brand new domestic kitchen units whilst being fitted by my son from various manufacturers,all were replaced without a problem,it seem it can be also be a defect during the manufacturer of the boards/panels.The panels I've personally seen were placed onto vinyl sheet,covered by vinyl sheet then the process of air removed and heated using hot air,,all done automatically by one machine

 

[Stevejj]

2016 Swifts (and possibly a bit later) were known for the adhesive to fail on edge trims so this could be similar. Personally I think the best repair would be to remove the door, re-glue the offending area and clamp a large piece of MDF on top (with grease-proof paper between) to squeeze all air out of the repair. Once dried the repair line will be visible but the door could be sprayed or even vinyl wrapped to disguise it.

Hi Gary, thanks for the tip will bear that in mind. Steve

 

[Stevejj]

I've seen this on brand new domestic kitchen units whilst being fitted by my son from various manufacturers,all were replaced without a problem,it seem it can be also be a defect during the manufacturer of the boards/panels.The panels I've personally seen were placed onto vinyl sheet,covered by vinyl sheet then the process of air removed and heated using hot air,,all done automatically by one machine

Hello, appreciate the information. Steve

 

[toad a caravan]

It may be a problem by the panel supplier rather than the caravan manufacturers, perhaps a second hand door could be the way forward,SFM caravans, O'Leary's,AM leisure etc may help ...Good luck