Those corner steady foot pads
The one thing that will send me into a flurry of activity either on the car or caravan is our old friend rust! I will even remove the wheels from the ‘van and paint the hubs! I just can’t stand it. And so it was the other day when removing the foot pads from the van. I had bought a full set from one of the shows a couple of years earlier and had been attracted by the quality of them. Instead of the usual plastic pins which I have had break in the past, these had good strong metal pins. However, on inspection, the pins were covered in rust- one wasn’t too bad but the other 3 were unrecognisable from the lovely shiny pins I had fitted 2 years earlier. Of course, the swinging action of the foot on the steady had caused friction and friction had removed the gossamer coating of zinc protection. Was I to just bin them and buy some more- that would have been the easiest thing to do but all that plastic? No, I would try to resurrect them by removing the rust, and respray them. That was fairly easy as I used abrasive pads with my multi tool and the rust soon gave way to shiny new metal. Treated with kurust and resprayed they looked like new. Oh, hang on, how am I going to prevent me doing the same in 2 years time? I had a plan. I searched out some soft clear plastic tubing I had- the sort used for racking wine from one demijohn to another or bottles. I measured the distance between the two upstands where the pin goes through on the foot and cut tubing to length- x 4. With the help of WD40 and boiling water to really soften the tubing, I was able to slide, cajole and force the tubing onto the pins. The next problem was to get the pins through the slots as I had now increased the diameter of the pins! With a cordless drill and a drill bit of about 6/7mm, I very carefully machined away plastic from the top of ONE slot of each foot pad and formed a larger aperture so that the pin, now covered with plastic tubing, would pass through it and still give me the sliding action of the pins up and down the slots in the plastic foot. I now have all four feet, swinging on the steadies as I drive knowing that instead of metal on metal, I have soft plastic on metal- and no rust- and no possibility of it. Another load of plastic prevented from going to the land fill.
Comments
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When I first saw the title I thought this might be more interesting, had someone been peaking in my shoes I wondered?
I too have on my present van the first set of plastic pads from my first van in September 1999.
Anyway glad that four pads have been saved from being thrown away, and glad that Merve thinks all that effort was worth it.
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I had similar thoughts, Corners.
Cornersteady a footpad? Never!
footpad
/ˈfʊtpad/noun HISTORICAL
a highwayman operating on foot rather than riding a horse.
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I can beat that. My plastic feet have been on the same caravan for 15 years.
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Ours have been on our current van since a week after we bought it in September 2000! And umpteen campsites and speed humps later they are still working and swinging freely. Mind you I must admit we haven't inspected them for rust - it doesn't form part of my OH's 'must do' jobs list!
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I never have personally moved mine over Tammy. The dealership has.
We bought a new van in 2005. In 2012 when the dealer's staff moved motormover and battery to a new van they also moved the steady pads without being asked. In December 2017 when we changed again I asked that the pads be moved over purely because I would find it difficult to fit myself now
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I'm a bit worried about Merve's OCD.
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🤣🤣🤣🤣If I had a lathe and the materials, I too would make them out of stainless. However, this was not a ‘Scottish’ thing- oooo Tammygirl- that’s below the belt! - it was to prevent plastic from ending up in a landfill somewhere. It was also enjoyable doing it and making something good out of something bad. With the ever increasing threat of plastic pollution, it may be a small thing but at least they will be used now for (hopefully) years to come. I have a selection of different foot pads- why can’t you ever find the same as before and yes, I do wind my legs to the max! At least it’s started a fun thread! 🤣🤣🤣🤣
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I like your innovative idea Merve. Repairing instead of replacing in today's throw away society is a good thing IMHO. Good luck with any future 'projects' you may come across caravan related or otherwise.
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Amateurs........our caravan is 35 years old. Predates plastic feet altogether, we just use four little blocks of wood stored neatly in front box. We have been known to recycle this wood occasionally if stove needed it as well......😂
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Have to admit that I carry 4 small blocks of wood in the tow car. More habit than necessity but I have found them useful on the odd occasion when on a front to rear slope when the steadies, whether front or rear are struggling to reach the ground. 😄
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+1
so, lets move on to other oldest LV related accessories?
I'm sure this will be neaten, but our plates. bowels. cutlery are all 'original'
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