Coachman VIP 460 2022 Bathroom Door Magnetic lock
Hi fellow Caravan owners,
Can any one give me advice or practical fixes for a problem i have.
I have a Coachman caravan VIP the magnet in the door frame has stopped attracting the magnetic latch in the door on closing so therefore when travelling we have to wedge the door closed,
On looking on various caravan forums , and talking to fellow coachman owners on site this appears to be a common fault.
The caravan is a 2022 model the dealership where i bought the caravan from has being in touch with coachman to submit a warranty claim but this has being rejected by them saying it is not covered under the warranty and the caravan is now two years.
The only solution they have is too have a new magnetic catch fitted at a price of £100 personally this is outrageous has i have seen reports where these catches have failed again after a period of time. I think this catch design is poor and not practical why could they have not fitted a normal catch and handle .
So if anyone out there can help i would appreciate your help.
Regards telecom
Comments
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Hello Telecom.
I had the same problem with my coachman. I sauced a replacement lock from Kenmore Caravans, see link below. It was £17.35 when I purchased one in April this year. They seem to have increase in cost considerably since then.
It's an easy job to replace the lock and keep but you do need a very small Allan Key to remove the door handle.
Hope this helps.
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Hi Whittakerr,
Thanks for the reply yes I have seen the locks on the Kenmore site are the magnets any stronger on these than the original one.
Also I don't suppose you have instructions on how to do.it has my DIY skills are not brilliant.
Regards
Telecom
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Hello Telecom.
As far as I am aware the locks are the same as the ones fitted by coachman so the magnets will be similar..
Changing the lock and keep is quite simple. The keep is secured by two screws.Just remove the screws and fit the new keep. The lock also has two screws that you will see near the latch, but to remove the lock you need to take off one of the door handles and withdraw the square spindle that connects the two handles. To take off one of the handles you need a very small Allan Key, (I had to file down the smallest Allan Key I had). You will find the Allan screw underneath the handle.
Once you have the right size Allan key it is very simple to replace the lock. It took me about 15 minuets in total, including filing down my Allan key to fit.
Feel free to ask me anymore questions if you need to.
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Hi Whittakerr and Kdh12345,
Thanks for your replies and instructions which i will try Coachman definitely do not make it easy putting a Allan screw underneath the silver disc very crafty having to make you use a dealership and expensive price. My caravan is in storage so i will take the smallest Allan key i have and file it down and attempt it.
I will also purchase a new lock from Kenmore and will definitely be cheaper than the dealership at 60 pound for fitting plus lock at £43 + vat.
regards Telecom
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Hi Whittakerr, KDH 12345.
Just an update on the above subject. My son has searched the internet for me and as purchased a pack of 6 strong magnets for the pricey sum of £3 . 95. Went down to caravan at storage site yesterday to try them.
Left original magnet in receiver keep put two new magnets together obviously opposite poles together. The new magnets fitted perfectly in the keep, closed the door and the catch held in the receiver tight, operated handle and the catch retracted back into the door. Repeated the action and it held tight.
The test will be when we take it on the road at the end of this month hopefully it will hold if not it will be a new replacement lock from Kenmore caravans, also managed to find the right size Allan key to fit so no filing required.
Regards telecom
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Hello Telecom.
Thanks for the updates. (sorry I missed your update on 2/09/24). Any chance you can provide some details on where your some got the magnets from, for that price I'll get some just in case my new lock fails.
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Hi Telecom
I am new to "Posts" so please forgive me if I am not following the correct format.
I am having the same problem with the magnetic bathroom door catch failing after a few months. My caravan is still under warranty and will be having its fourth magnetic catch fitted at the next service as the door will not stay closed.
Would you please send me the link for the magnets you bought.
Regards
McH123
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McH, it doesn’t look as if Telecom has visited the forum since his last post above so may not see your request.
I’ve seen packs of magnets on Amazon so it might be worth a look.
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Magnetic Door Catch
I had similar problem to above on Bailey Grande Lisbon. In this mid bathroom arrangement the toilet door doubles as a door separating the rear bedroom from the forward accommodation. The gap between door edge and the door frame at toilet, was much greater than gap when door in closed across cabin. When towing with door in closed position to toilet, the door latch failed, with resultant damage to the magnetic lock with a swinging door whist in transit.
In my opinion this is just down to shoddy workmanship by Bailey (the TV support bracket is fitted 2 degrees off vertical for example). My fix to the problem is as shown in the attached photos using a timber strip to close the gap in between door and door frame. Replacement door latch mechanism and catch housing supplied by PRIMA at reasonable cost. A webbing strap to secure door, also supplied by PRIMA (as used for sliding doors, and gas hob cover) was fitted for additional security when towing.
I am not sure how many magnetic door catches are in use, but thought it worth adding this as a possible solution for those who may have similar problems.
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Thank you MJSM.
With my caravan, the door when closed and the frame are only approx 3mm apart. The magnets in the catch and the receiver are just too weak to activate the mechanism.
I am considering fitting a conventional catch, the problem is the spindle and the catch are not on the same center line. So I think it will look like a bodge job. At the next service the van will be having its 4th catch fitted, FOC at the moment. Why Coachman could not use a conventional catch beats me.
Regards
McH123
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