Corner brackets in the front gas locker

[Shaino]

Hi All,

I've got these metal long corner brackets (both sides) in my caravan front gas locker. The brackets look like an aftermarket upgrade rather than factory-fitted.

The screws are coming loose, and I’m trying to figure out if these brackets were ever meant to serve a structural purpose.
I doubt that given:

• The bracket flanges are narrow- less than 5cm each side, so I can't see how that would provide a good grip
• The (rather large) screws are only going into a thin layer of plywood (maybe 2mm tops) plus insulation, so they were always destined to work loose and fall out.

If the idea was to stop the front of the locker (or the entire side walls) from collapsing, this seems a pretty ineffective solution. Otherwise, I can’t see any obvious reason for them to be there, and I’m tempted to just remove them entirely rather than repair.

Any thoughts?

 

[birdman101]

Yes they are original and part of the body strength, DO NOT tow caravan without them. Swift had a recall on some caravans and warned owners not to tow until fixed as the body can move on the chassis. If you watch a video of caravans being built this is the first main fixing of bulkhead to sides before the body is built around it.

 

[Shaino]

Yes they are original and part of the body strength, DO NOT tow caravan without them. Swift had a recall on some caravans and warned owners not to tow until fixed as the body can move on the chassis. If you watch a video of caravans being built this is the first main fixing of bulkhead to sides before the body is built around it.

Ouch. Any suggestions on how to fix it?

 

[borderbilly]

Bigger screws

 

[otherclive]

If it was a safety item identified by Swift offering free repairs I would contact Swift to gauge their response. Some have carried out their own repairs or paid to have them repaired. Did you buy privately or from a dealership.

 

[woodsieboy]

You could try removing the brackets and refixing using an adhesive, then larger screws, with some super glue or mastic in the screw holes

 

[Shaino]

I’m happy to tackle the repair myself, just weighing up the most robust approach.

There are no wooden batons behind the brackets, just a thin aluminium sheet and a thin plywood (so I still don't get how that would contribute to the chassis/floor integrity) , that means it's not possible to reinforce the screw points.

My thoughts:

• Reuse the current screw holes but glue the bracket in place using something like Sika 522 (as @woodsieboy suggested)
• Upgrade to shorter but wider brackets (say, with 8cm flanges) - use 2 per side, make new holes, and fix with rivet nuts set in epoxy, plus bond the new bracket with Sika 522 for extra security.

I’m leaning toward Option 2 as it would at least spread any loads a bit more and avoid simply repeating the old fix.

 

[Jcloughie]

My Lunar looked identical to the photo. The screws kept falling out with vibration. But the angles seamed to be glued in very firmly. I was going the re-apply them as woodsieboy suggests. But they were very firm. In fact I considered the screws were not actually doing anything.

Longer screws would be no help at all. Fatter screw might. But that would mean drilling bigger holes.

I removed the screws and filled the holes with gripfill. When set, drill a pilot hole then refit the ss screw.

John

 

[rich0805]

In a similar thread someone suggested using split rivets in place of screws Split rivets.
I'll be fitting some tomorrow after ordinary pop rivets failed and bigger screws fell out.

 

[Dustydog]

Here’s Swift’s recall notice

I’d do a different fix, not recommended by Swift just my view.

Remove the angle brackets.
Inject a high grade resin compound into the holes. Let it set. Then drill pilot holes for the new course grip screws.
Secure the brackets in place ,all aligned , using a high grade bonding agent glue. Then screw everything up.
Good luck.

 

[rich0805]

Here’s Swift’s recall notice

I’d do a different fix, not recommended by Swift just my view.

Remove the angle brackets.
Inject a high grade resin compound into the holes. Let it set. Then drill pilot holes for the new course grip screws.
Secure the brackets in place ,all aligned , using a high grade bonding agent glue. Then screw everything up.
Good luck.

That's the path I'll try if the split rivets don't work.