Hi all, looking for some advice on fixings for internal walls on caravans.
I have been tasked with fitting an electric towel rail in the washroom of a 2010 Swift Challenger 570, but am cautious over the fixing method.
The rail will go on the washroom party wall that the fixed bed headboard is fixed to. I was thinking of drilling straight through the wall and fixing the lower 2 rail brackets with screws and nuts with penny washers on to spread the load a little.
The top 2 rail fixings, was thinking of doing the same, and counter sinking the back of the head board so the nuts can be hidden.
The rail is 4 kilos, but just unsure if the wall would take the weight, even with 4 fixings as described above, especially with a damp towel on it.
Just read my original post again, and yes, it does make it sound rough Grampian91
Was thinking of using M6 screws on the rail brackets and nyloc nuts on the rear of the wall with a penny washer on each rail bracket.
The bottom screws would be under the mattress in the storage area, and the top screws would be behind the headboard, which the back of would be countersunk to allow the headboard to still be flush to the wall.
I don't think I am describing this at all well...
Mines a 2011 van, and I know the wall to which you are referring. You won't have any problem with the weight, but the wall is single skin, maybe 9mm only. I assume the low level fixings will be under the bed, so a wooden batten spanning fixings would give solid mounting, to carry the weight. You can easily use some iron on furniture board edging if you want to make it look more in keeping.
The top fixings will then only be to stabilise the unit,so do as you suggested
If you can't find studs then the only other option is to strengthen the wall. I did something similar when fixing a TV bracket. I bought a piece of contiboard the same colour as the wall. I bonded it to one side then fixed the bracket to the other. The conti spreads the weight over a large area.
So in your case you will have the conti in the bedroom. Your screws then go through the bathroom wall into the conti.
Quote: Originally posted by beachhuggy on 09/5/2017
chrisn709 am glad you can see what I mean, and yes the bottom fixings would be under the bed in the storage area.
Have a look at B&Q exterior use ply, 9mm. Once finished with a clear matte varnish, this material is a very very close colour to Swifts. One side has a close grain finish unlike cheapo ply, and is very smooth when finished. If you want I can find a pic...
Although Conti was suggested above, a solid timber batten is better, as Conti is very heavy, and doesn't take kindly to screws being inserted more than 2 or 3 times, before crumbling.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Fixing towel rail to internal wall board
