Caravan Heated Towel Warmer
Hi, we've just bought a new Swift Caravan based on the 560 layout (mid bathroom) and would like to have a electric heated towel warmer installed in the bathroom. There are two that I'm looking at - one wall mounted and the other side-mounted.
Wall Mounted (the 3rd picture in the list shows the wall mounted version)
Although the caravan retailer will be fitting the towel warmer are there any restrictions in mounting the wall version or would this be too heavy or unadvisable on the wall of the caravan. I'm not sure what the latest advances in the Swift side walls allow you to do.
The side-mounted version could attach to a suitable point either side between the shower and the bedroom enterance.
As I am supplying the towel warmer I thought I'd seek advice on the most appropriate model to provide to my retailer.
Regards, Andy.
Comments
-
You don't say if it's an internal wall you'll be mounting the warmer on. Internal walls tend to be flimsy and may not bear the weight of the appliance. There again, mounting on an exterior wall can be a risky thing to do in view of damage to insulation and the chance of water ingress.
In 45 years of vanning we've not yet felt the need for such a device and I would think long and hard before installing one.
0 -
Hi, it's the exterior wall and that was partly my point about suitability on an exterior wall.
We currently have a towel warmer (the wall mounted version above but freestanding (with feet on) in our old caravan and it's great to have nice warm dry towels in the morning when you've had a shower so would fully recommend it
Regards,
Andy.
0 -
I have a towel rail fitted to the outside wall. No problems in three years, I was just carefull when I fitted it.
It does keep a slight heat going in the night when the noisey fan in the blown air unit is off, and the towels are lovely warm when I hand them to my girlfriend in the shower.
0 -
Good point, best get a bigger towel rail and a couple of extra towels
Although I'm a keen DIY'er I want the retailer to install it so that it complies with best practice and I don't have to start carving up my shiny new van.
0 -
Each to their own, Andy. Personally I'd rather not risk damaging the integrity of the wall but only someone who understands the construction of the van will be able to advise on the suitability of your chosen heaters.
0 -
I am dubious about the outside wall due to the weight of the towel rail but I have installed similar to the internal walls of my caravans. I used various bolts and backing plates to ensure the towel rail was secure.
There are other models available, which might more easily fit an internal wall, if you search on Google.
I find a towel rail invaluable to warm towels and give a bit of warmth to the bathroom overnight
0 -
What's the big deal about warm towels? I don't get it at all.
0 -
As I said, each to their own.
0 -
That might be to do with not providing your significant other with warm towels.
3 -
I sort of killed two birds with one stone.I fitted a low wattage panel heater ( 500w) and then fitted a towel rail above the heater.These are available in small sizes.I was fortunate with our van as it has two wardrobes in the bathroom so i was able to use one of the wardrobe walls that i could access from both sides which lets you bolt your brackets on.As regards fitting anything like this "blind" on an exterior wall it can be tricky but by no means impossible.I cant see that the rail woul be exceptionally heavy and there are a number of types of fixing available these days for studded type walls.The biggest problem with most caravans is haveing a space where the rail will fit but its the type of job that most good diy,ers would tackle.
v9
0 -
I personally would be worried about drilling or "fixing" anything near the outside wall for fear of comprising water integrity............
Have you thought of a freestanding item, perhaps like this.....??
0 -
Hi, yes, we already have the VonHaus heated towel rail I mentioned in my original post (but the white version). This has been an excellent towel warmer but we don't really have room for a free-standing version in the new caravan hence this will also attach to a wall.
I will ensure the dealerships knows my requirements and fits it according to any caravan manufacturers recommendations.
Thanks to all for your useful feedback.
0 -
We have a small electric heated towel rail in our end bathroom. I fitted it to the door frame and drilled through the frame for the cable to plug into a mains point near the fixed bed. The cable is held neatly against the wall with a short length of self adhesive plastic trunking.We've come a long way since the days when we camped in our two man tent!
0 -
We have a small electric heated towel rail in our end bathroom. I fitted it to the door frame and drilled through the frame for the cable to plug into a mains point near the fixed bed. The cable is held neatly against the wall with a short length of self adhesive plastic trunking.
0 -
Provided that the fasteners used are appropriate, a heated towel rail can be fixed to any wall. Installing the cabling should be done by a qualified person especially as the washroom is a high safety zone.
0 -
Hi all, just a quick note to say I've installed my towel warmer myself after my dealership wanted to charge me £200 to fit it and then wouldn't guarantee the work.
Instead of fixing it to the wall which may have presented problems over time I fitted it using clips at each side and a wall bracket inverted by 90 degrees to support the weight underneath.
The power comes from a fused spur in the bedroom.
Nice warm dry towels from now on
0 -
looks like a very neat installation. Well done and enjoy your warm towels.
I fitted one in my caravans end bathroom, well worth the effort.0 -
Thanks - we used to have the free-standing version in our last caravan and decided it was an absolute must-have in the new one. Fortunately the space in the mid-bathroom was ideally suited for the towel warmer right next to you when you come out of the shower.
It only uses 70w of power and at under £40 it's a great piece of kit.
0 -
Glad to hear you have completed a task that I have done myself also.
The slight amount of heat generated is very comforting when a call of nature in the wee hours demands you leave the warmth of a spring or autumn slumber. Warm dry towels are also a benefit when you don't have the luxury of central heating.
We considered upgrading the van but a £50 towel rail came out a better value than the £12k quoted by our dealer.
I am not sure why there is concern about fixing to the outside wall as the fixings only pierce the inner wall and as Max has done, take the weight with floor supports.
0
