Quick change over caravan number plates

[Anseo]

It is the fixed number plates thread currently topical that brings my question to the fore.

My son and I are going to be using the caravan and towing with different vehicles.

I could make up some brackets to slide number plates in and out, I would probably fix the plates with screws into plastic plug inserts into holes I would drill into the caravan body.

Some of you may have made modifications of this kind, any suggestions or 'how-to-do-it' ideas on this?

There may be some off the shelf commercially available products suitable, I would appreciate any comments.

Thanks all.

 

[Damian]

The one thing you do NOT want to do is start drilling the caravan body.

Use heavy duty Velcro.

 

[Hutch]

Anseo, google , spring loaded caravan/ trailer Number plate clips.
I was droping and picking up caravans for music festivals, and we used these clips as we never knew which caravan we would be towing maybe three in a day. So had these clips fitted to about twenty caravans.

 

[Mel]

The one thing you do NOT want to do is start drilling the caravan body.

Use heavy duty Velcro.

That's what we have on the trailer tent towed by us and the grown up offspring. Hooks stuck on the trailer side, loops on the back of each of three possible number plates. Costs about £3 from a market haberdashery stall.
Mel

 

[Raywood]

Our number plate is simply stuck on with pads from B&Q. They work perfectly well and I would have thought Velcro type fixing would be less secure. Velcro might be a better bet though if you have two tow cars and need to change the plate regularly.

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

I believe the OH is not looking for a permanent fixing, but for one that can be easily changed between trailers and vehicles.

Edit - I did buy a 'number plate holder' last year for a trailer, where the outer frame of the holder folds down, such that different vehicles could tow it. Something like 2 frames for £6 but I can't find the advert now. I never did fit one to the trailer though because the outer frame hinged at the bottom and the number plate position was in a recess so the frame wouldn't open fully.

 

[JoshuaB]

Strong pads will be sufficient especially if you are wanting to exchange the number plates frequently.
As others have already said, avoid drilling into the rear panel as this can create a whole range of potential issues.
Automotive stores such as Halfords should sell quality pads for your number plate, however for removal, you may need to use a scraper and heat to remove it if the pads are too strong.

 

[xtrailman]

What about using magnets and glue?
Obviously those brackets are a better idea, but it involves drilling holes.

 

[KeefySher]

What about using magnets and glue?
Obviously those brackets are a better idea, but it involves drilling holes.

Those brackets can be glued on, or stuck on with the sticky number plate pads

 

[Keefanmaxx]

I used zip ties to secure one number plate over the top of the one that's attached to the 'van after changing the car and waiting for the registration to transfer
Rather than change the plates every time, perhaps consider having the most used registration as a permanent plate on the 'van and trailer and then add the other over the top using some of the suggestions here.

 

[Anseo]

Those brackets can be glued on, or stuck on with the sticky number plate pads

I rather like the spring loaded brackets with the sticky pads option .

And thinking ahead to a possible modification to prevent the registration plate from sliding out from the brackets, I may file very small recesses in the registration plate so that the lugs on the brackets fall into said recesses.

 

[KeefySher]

Have used the brackets on a trailer that gets used by friends and family. Easy to swap plates over without any further mods to number plates.

Have used cable ties and velcro straps when using a hired discovery to tow the caravan.