Some time ago we discussed how to make the entrance door close more tightly onto its seal. This was a problem because, unlike in a car, the striker plate is fixed and therefore cannot be moved to adjust the door fit. I've been pondering how to overcome this and now, after a bit of experimentation, appear to have solved the problem.

I reasoned that had I been able to adjust the striker plate, I would have moved it slightly inward so that the latch pulled the door further into the frame. Therefore, if I added some metal to the inside edge of the alloy striker or some plastic to the flat side of the latch, this would have the same effect.

After some thinking, I decided that modifying the striker plate would be easier and originally came up with the idea of attaching a piece of alloy using a couple of small countersunk machine screws in tapped holes drilled in the striker.

I discussed this idea with my friendly gunsmith/engineer who said, "Why not bond it on with special epoxy? It will be much easier." So that's what I've done, and it works.

Unfortunately I didn't take any 'before' pictures but all I did was to cut a template from a piece of card and then transfer the outline onto a piece of alloy angle that I had lying about in my workshop that looked to be about the right thickness. Mine measured 2.89 mm but if you are experiencing the same problem you may need a different thickness.

I then tried the latch from inside the caravan to see if it would close with the metal held in place with my fingers. When I was satisfied that all was well I filed the metal smooth and then filed a chamfer on the leading edge to help the latch ride into its new location.

After roughening up both surfaces, I mixed a very small amount of Evo Stik Metal Epoxy, glued both surfaces and pressed the new piece into position. Clamping proved impossible due to the curved surfaces on the striker but the adhesive held the parts together unaided and within five minutes it was safe to handle.

As a precaution, I smeared some silicone grease onto the inner edge of the modified striker and the flat side of the latch and it works! The door now closes and locks smoothly and is held tight and solidly into its frame.

Result!

Doorlatch01.jpg - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte) Doorlatch02.jpg - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte) Doorlatch03.jpg - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)

It wasn't until I took the caravan for a chassis service a year ago and JohnE commenting on it that I realised I had a problem with the door. It's possible that at some time in its life it was caught by the wind and slammed back, distorting the hinge in the process.

I've heard of people removing their door and bending it over their knee in order to make it fit better but I decided that that was a bit too crude (and scary) for me.

I'll admit to being a little nervous when I went to unlock the van this morning having had visions of the door being glued or seized in position but all was well. The latch operates as smoothly as it has always done so I'm very happy with the results of all my fiddling about.

To make the door fit more loosely it would be necessary to do the opposite of what I did and file metal off the inboard edge of the door striker plate. It might not take much effort to achieve the desired result.

Crikey! That is weird, Ray.

I've just had a look at mine and it looks as though someone has started to modify yours by cutting the edge of the flyscreen channel above the black-marked area before perhaps chickening out? It looks like the intention was to remove the area that prevents the latch engaging on the striker.

I'd be tempted to carefully file the edge off the channel that is preventing the latch from engaging with the striker. It shouldn't adversely affect the operation of the flyscreen.

On our caravan, the distance from the outer edge of the striker to the edge of the flyscreen channel is 13.7mm. What does yours measure?

PS

Alternatively I suppose you could shorten the plastic latch slightly so it can extend further from its housing and enable the lock to operate. We are probably only talking about a couple of millimetres so it should be an easy job.

Well done, Ray. Looks like you've cracked it.

All part and parcel of Eriba ownership.