Internal screws not holding?

[James_374314871]

Hi,

What does everyone use to renew screws which have lost their grip inside their van. Door handles etc. I presume that the wooden panels inside are chipboard and therefore not ideal for a solid fixing. I thought about using a wider diameter screw?

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

James

 

[Lutz]

We had problems with hinges pulling out of their anchorages when we went to Iceland and did a lot of driving over unsurfaced roads. In the case of very small screws I inserted suitable lengths of matchsticks as dowels before re-using the same screw again and that always worked. In the case of larger screws, I injected hot-melt adhesive before doing the same.

I don't think it's a very good idea to use a larger screw to replace a smaller one because that can look untidy and besides, it may involve having to open out the holes in the part that you are trying to attach.

 

[Robert_374242026]

Reminds me of an occasion in France when going over a speed ramp(not fast), there was an almight bang on the back of the camper and found the bike carrier had pulled away. It was held on by screws so cut a couple of suitable size twigs from a tree ,insrted them and got a good grip .It was still firm up to the point when i fixed bolts instead.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p84/johng_016/p1399143_x.jpg
I use these where possible on a hollow panel

 

[JTS]

Hi James, go to a DIY shop and buy a small tube of woodfiller near to the colour of the surface you are using it on. Inject a small amount into the screw hole, do not fill it,you can use something suitable to push a bit of filler into the hole. Screw the screw home and wait till next day before you put any pressure on the the fitting, job done. Keep the tube of filler in the caravan toolbox.

Good Luck. JTS

 

[RayS]

James, you are right in that the outer panels -i.e. those you come to first may be wood, but the internals may be chipboard or even polystyrene fill. Sometimes you can enlarge the hole slightly and use a wall plug of the appropriate size. if this does not work, look at the fixings for plasterboad etc. from Screwfix, which are a plastic or metal outer wheich screws into the panel fixing and then supplies a decent threaded hole for whatever you want to attach.

Before my present (German) van which seems to have everything made of genuine plywood, I had some very nice UK vans where the furniture was venerred chipboard. After a lot of continental towing over some fairly rought roads, the screws wore holes in the chipboard, such that you cound just pull them out with fingers. As a result, all the locker bases became loose and squeaked when yo walked in the van.

I actually prefer the comfort of the UK vans, but the German van will probably last longer. It is also 15% heavier than the UK equivalent.

 

[James_374314871]

James, you are right in that the outer panels -i.e. those you come to first may be wood, but the internals may be chipboard or even polystyrene fill. Sometimes you can enlarge the hole slightly and use a wall plug of the appropriate size. if this does not work, look at the fixings for plasterboad etc. from Screwfix, which are a plastic or metal outer wheich screws into the panel fixing and then supplies a decent threaded hole for whatever you want to attach.

Before my present (German) van which seems to have everything made of genuine plywood, I had some very nice UK vans where the furniture was venerred chipboard. After a lot of continental towing over some fairly rought roads, the screws wore holes in the chipboard, such that you cound just pull them out with fingers. As a result, all the locker bases became loose and squeaked when yo walked in the van.

I actually prefer the comfort of the UK vans, but the German van will probably last longer. It is also 15% heavier than the UK equivalent.

Hi again,

Many thanks for your responding with your suggestions. I'll try the wood filler first. My van is only one year old and it's a bit frustrating having to deal with something like this so early on.

never mind

Thanks again,

James