Sticky wardrobe door and water filter???

[soldlisa04]

Hi there forumites ... we started the big spring clean of our 2010 Swift Challenger 570 yesterday and immediately I noticed that the wardrobe door wouldn't open properly it seems to stick at the bottom, OH had a quick look and fiddle but thinks the actual problem lies with the push in knob which in turn operates the mechanism which releases the door at top/bottom. Would anyone know if this is an easy repair job or would we have to source a new knob for the wardrobe? Also, does anyone know if you have to replace the water filter (or indeed if there is one) in this particular model - OH wants to flush through system etc. and was wondering if we needed to do this? Many thanks in advance for any help with these two issues ...

(sun's out, thought I'd celebrate!!!). Lisa.

 

[otherclive]

Try WD40 on the wardrobe. Yes change the filter but I'd flush with the old one in situ or just removed with a bit of pipe in its place. That way your new one doesn't get gunged up.

 

[soldlisa04]

Thanks otherclive - WD was his next port of call. My next question will be where do we get a water filter from for the van? As we don't have an onboard water tank I'm presuming this 'filter' can be removed? I'm asking this on behalf of OH who can't access the forum so I do it for him! Would it be something to purchase through Swifts do you think? Thanks Lisa.

 

[otherclive]

No I guess the filter will probably be a Whale unit but check first. Any doubt photo it and search on the Internet or contact a local caravan/MH outlet. They are normally fitted using the quick release push on pipe fittings but some may just be fitted using jubilee clips. They are normally located under the sink in the cold water inlet to the tap. There are Carver filters which install into their own housing but these seem to have gone out of favour on newer vans. If you Google 'caravan water filter' you get some hits that show Whale an Carver. There are also fill it yourself filters but I don't use them as the cost of a Whale is only around £18-24 depending on source.

 

[Damian]

Dont use WD40 on caravan plastics, it will cause more problems than it solves !
Use a good silicone spray or grease.
As for the water filter, I think I am right in as much as Swift do not fit filters.

 

[starlightdj]

Hi re the door, have you had chance to bring the caravan up to normal temperature via putting the heating on for a day or so.
we find if the van is cold & hasn't been used for a whilst, the doors & lockers expand slightly and can stick, but once up to normal temp, all seams to shrink again & work fine.
hope this helps
cheers
John

 

[colin-yorkshire1]

Hi re the door, have you had chance to bring the caravan up to normal temperature via putting the heating on for a day or so.
we find if the van is cold & hasn't been used for a whilst, the doors & lockers expand slightly and can stick, but once up to normal temp, all seams to shrink again & work fine.
hope this helps
cheers
John

quite true that one John,, also as caravans do flex the positions of the corner steadies can put a ever so slight twist on the internal dynamics of the van, so the wardrobe goes out of square very slightly but it can be enough to effect the catches, had this phenomenon on site after about a week when the wheels and or steadies sink into the grass, but readjusting the legs seem to cure it!!

 

[otherclive]

Dont use WD40 on caravan plastics, it will cuse mor problems than it solves !
Use a good silicone spray or grease.
As for the water filter, I think I am right in as much as Swift do not fit filters.

WD 40 can be used on plastics with the exception of polycarbonate or polystyrene but if you do have any doubts over which plastic it is then Damian is right. But saying that I have used WD 40 the door retainers without any problems.

 

[soldlisa04]

Thanks all for your comments, OH spoke to caravan service chap who confirmed that Swift do not fit water filters and charcoal type filters are a pain if they freeze and charcoal gets into system etc. I think we'll just carry on without! We do have silicone grease to use instead so will try that but the point made about bringing caravan up to temperature is a good one, I will get OH to put heating on for a couple of days and then see if the wardrobe door is any different at the weekend when we embark on day 2 of spring clean. Thanks gents for all your input. As always many thanks Lisa.

 

[soldlisa04]

Quick update, following the beautiful weather the wardrobe door is indeed less inclined to stick so fingers crossed it will continue to behave itself!