Rusty bolts

[Shaino]

Hi All,

Discovered today that 2 of 6 internal bolts/nuts that hold external rear bar are rusty. The bar is attached securely, doesn't move at all.
Ignore the water bubbles - I'm the cleaning process.

Should I unscrew all nuts and inspect the bar? Should I prepare for troubles?

 

[toad a caravan]

Hi All,

Discovered today that 2 of 6 internal bolts/nuts that hold external rear bar are rusty. The bar is attached securely, doesn't move at all.
Ignore the water bubbles - I'm the cleaning process.

Should I unscrew all nuts and inspect the bar? Should I prepare for troubles?View attachment 5670

I am at loss as to what they are being used for.ie what part or piece of caravan is it .That said it is good practise to use a penetrating spray oil such as GT 22 or WD 40..it is best used components that are dry due to oil properties..if all goes well and you remove the nuts I would suggest using stainless steel replacement obtainable from the" station of tools" not the correct name if you get my drift..(not sure about advertising regs) best of luck ..Gary

 

[Jcloughie]

External bar?
On what?

John

 

[Shaino]

I am at loss as to what they are being used for

They are to hold a decorative external bar at the rear of the caravan

 

[Shaino]

External bar?
On what?

John

It's something like this, but in my case it's 1 bar across the whole rear, on 3x2 bolts

 

[toad a caravan]

They are to hold a decorative external bar at the rear of the caravanView attachment 5671

Ok cheers..just curious as to what it was..your always better using a six sided socket rather than a bi hexagonal less chance to slip of..just take your time.If you can loosen it a fraction then reapply oil,gently try to move it back wards and forwards to break the rust adhesion 👌Gary

 

[toad a caravan]

It's something like this, but in my case it's 1 bar across the whole rear, on 3x2 boltsView attachment 5672

Cheers I see..mine are flat bars held in place by 6mm bolts..I removed them and replaced them with 6mm s/s threaded bar and s/s nuts..(abbey gts212) Gary 👌

 

[Mel]

I am guessing that the fact that the bolts are rusty is making you concerned about water ingress around them or from somewhere else. I am not technically skilled but would suggest you o around the area with a damp meter to find u if water has penetrated, and if so, how far it has travelled.
fingers crossed
mel

 

[otherclive]

You can use trade outlet names but not if you have a dispute with them.

Wrt the nuts. Let the penetrating oil have plenty of time to work.

 

[Mr Plodd]

If there is no problem/issue then simply leave things alone.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it !

 

[toad a caravan]

You can use trade outlet names but not if you have a dispute with them.

Wrt the nuts. Let the penetrating oil have plenty of time to work.

 

[toad a caravan]

Ok thanks

 

[toad a caravan]

If there is no problem/issue then simply leave things alone.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it !

Unless the bolts/studs are corroded as are the nuts.ie they can rust significantly as to compromise there designed ability to take strain ..Gary

 

[Mr Plodd]

Unless the bolts/studs are corroded as are the nuts.ie they can rust significantly as to compromise there designed ability to take strain ..Gary

The "bar" is a decorative trim not a structural item, so not subject to any strain unless someone tries to manhandle the caravan using it. Looking at the lack of any decent sized washers or spreader plates its clearly not designed for that purpose. That's what a motor mover is for!

 

[toad a caravan]

The "bar" is a decorative trim not a structural item, so not subject to any strain unless someone tries to manhandle the caravan using it. Looking at the lack of any decent sized washers or spreader plates its clearly not designed for that purpose. That's what a motor mover is for!

One way to save weight and allow potential water ingress put a useless item on for purely for aesthetics

 

[Jcloughie]

The "bar" is a decorative trim not a structural item, so not subject to any strain unless someone tries to manhandle the caravan using it. Looking at the lack of any decent sized washers or spreader plates its clearly not designed for that purpose. That's what a motor mover is for!

I thought the bar in this instance was also the grab handles. Although I certainly favoured the mover. The handles often needed using.

My Lunar had similar fixing. Two came into the shower. They had plastic caps on them. I never investigated, but I imagine that SS fixings had been used behind the caps.

I assume the OP has removed the caps.

I would try to renew the nuts and washers for SS, Also the bolts if possible.

But if it is seized up, I would mask the area around the rusty nuts, then clean up and coat it with a rust inhibitor.



John

 

[toad a caravan]

I thought the bar in this instance was also the grab handles. Although I certainly favoured the mover. The handles often needed using.

My Lunar had similar fixing. Two came into the shower. They had plastic caps on them. I never investigated, but I imagine that SS fixings had been used behind the caps.

I assume the OP has removed the caps.

I would try to renew the nuts and washers for SS, Also the bolts if possible.

But if it is seized up, I would mask the area around the rusty nuts, then clean up and coat it with a rust inhibitor.

View attachment 5673

John

I would personally thought it could have been used for moving of caravan and I would expect some type of re enforcing method built in behind the decorative wall panel..I e a piece of plywood or similar .. some panels are pre built up prior to assembly ..also grp fronts have reinforcement for grab handles.at least mine does 👌Gary

 

[Jcloughie]

I would personally thought it could have been used for moving of caravan and I would expect some type of re enforcing method built in behind the decorative wall panel..I e a piece of plywood or similar .. some panels are pre built up prior to assembly ..also grp fronts have reinforcement for grab handles.at least mine does 👌Gary

On my Lunar, the nuts were simply on the shower wall. I guess that the reinforcement was internal to the wall. They felt strong. In the same manner that caravans internal walls have a framework designed so that cupboards and wardrobes can be screwed in.

John

 

[Mel]

Of course if the bolts are rusty because water is getting in around them, a few hefty tugs on the external bar will soon make the need for reinforcement clear 😀
mel