The Caravan Owners Club

[BJH]

I'd like to fit an additional external hatch so I can get to the underseat locker next to the door from outside.

Has anyone done this? Any pifalls t look out for??

Brian

[Roy Armstrong]

Hi Brian,
Yes I've done a similar job.

The rule is: Measure ten times and cut once!!

Try to ascertain where any wooden battens may be located, they usually follow the line down from the windows etc.

If you store your caravan outside, then on a cold morning the battens can usually be seen outlined, if so, mark them.
It is best not to cut them but it is not the end the world if you do.

Mark the hole from the template with a marker and cover the lines with 2" masking tape to prevent damage from the jigsaw shoe.
Drill a hole on the internal angle of each corner of the intended aperture. These holes should be just large enough for the jigsaw blade to pass through.

Now, take your time and saw along the lines.

Some hatches use the removed panel as an insert in the door to match the caravan.

Remove the masking tape.

Professionals would now remove some of the insulation from around the hole to insert wooden battens to make a frame to screw into, this is more important if you do cut a batten but I used W4 mastic sealing strip which sticks like the proverbial "**** to a blanket" relegating the fixing screws to a cosmetic function.

Hope this helps,

Roy

[BJH]

Thanks Roy, that's really helpful

Brian

[beejay]

I'd like to fit an additional external hatch so I can get to the underseat locker next to the door from outside.

Has anyone done this? Any pifalls t look out for??

Brian

Hi Brian
I thought you had sold the Hobby? I have thought ,several times, of fitting another hatch but want to match the existing one. I spoke to someone at Thetford and was informed they only supply the caravan manufacturers. Got no further apart from looking at some hatches lying about at Hobbyland Hexel last September but they were the old style. Let's know how you get on. Beejay

[beejay]

I'd like to fit an additional external hatch so I can get to the underseat locker next to the door from outside.

Has anyone done this? Any pifalls t look out for??

Brian

Hi Brian
I thought you had sold the Hobby? I have thought ,several times, of fitting another hatch but want to match the existing one. I spoke to someone at Thetford and was informed they only supply the caravan manufacturers. Got no further apart from looking at some hatches lying about at Hobbyland Hexel last September but they were the old style. Let's know how you get on. Beejay

[Roy Armstrong]

beejay,

Did you try Miriad for the hatch?

[beejay]

beejay,

Did you try Miriad for the hatch?

Their on-line site states, "only supplied to OEM" which is exactly the same as Thetford told me. It seems they are not available through a caravan dealer other than as a "spare part" for a specific van. I may try a German Dealer when I go over in the summer, pre-ordering if necessary. I haven't yet seen a U.K. van with the new style hatch so I assume only Hobby U.K. would obtain one.

[beejay]

beejay,

Did you try Miriad for the hatch?

Their on-line site states, "only supplied to OEM" which is exactly the same as Thetford told me. It seems they are not available through a caravan dealer other than as a "spare part" for a specific van. I may try a German Dealer when I go over in the summer, pre-ordering if necessary. I haven't yet seen a U.K. van with the new style hatch so I assume only Hobby U.K. would obtain one.

[Roy Armstrong]

beejay,

I saw that when I wanted a Truma Elektroboiler so I e-mailed them and they supplied me.

Edit: I've just checked the Miriad catalogue and for the wet locker and battery box it does state OEM only but not apparently for the Service doors.