Mounting a towel radiator

mtbell
mtbell Forum Participant Posts: 2
edited September 2016 in Caravans #1

Having been recently tasked with the job of fitting an electric towel radiator to our Avondale 640/6 I was looking at effective methods of mounting to the internal walls. Knowing the hardboard construction of a caravan is not supportive and the weight and vibration when being towed generates a medium amount of stress I searched for various ideas. With a scrap bit of Hardboard I experimented with various hollow wall anchors but the problem was some are messy, some are too physically big for the thickness of the van wall and some are just useless. Then I had an idea, with only 25mm depth to play with I got some Rawlplug Nylon self drill plasterboard fixing – Medium size. These were 32mm long but with a pair of cutters I shortened them to 25mm which meant they were no longer self drill but its easy to drill a 6mm pilot hole then just screw the fixing in. Then with some 25mm self tappers fitted the radiator. This gives a very strong and neat fixing obviously you need to check each mounting location for obstructions before hand and be sensible on what is being mounted.The towel radiator is a 60W white finish from Toolstation fitted to a fused spur to help dry out the towels in autumn and act as a towel rail in summer.

 

Comments

  • MichaelT
    MichaelT Forum Participant Posts: 1,874
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2016 #2

    When I did mine I used these, you drill the hole, place the plug in and use the tool to fix it then screw into it.

    http://www.homebase.co.uk/en/homebaseuk/stanley-5-x-hollow-fixing-metal-11-x-36mm---stf16004-xj-166571

    Come in various sizes so make sure you get teh ones to hold onto material up to 5mm thick or whatever yours is.  You may be lucky to get some fixing into the frame work. 

  • Whittakerr
    Whittakerr Club Member Posts: 3,476 ✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments Photogenic
    edited September 2016 #3

    When I did mine I used these, you drill the hole, place the plug in and use the tool to fix it then screw into it.

    http://www.homebase.co.uk/en/homebaseuk/stanley-5-x-hollow-fixing-metal-11-x-36mm---stf16004-xj-166571

    Come in various sizes so make sure you get teh ones to hold onto material up to 5mm thick or whatever yours is.  You may be lucky to get some fixing into the frame work. 

    I used those as well. A good strong fixing.

  • Hoddy
    Hoddy Forum Participant Posts: 34
    edited September 2016 #4

    Same here

  • Trini
    Trini Forum Participant Posts: 429
    edited September 2016 #5

    I wonder if the external wall would be ok to use these fixings?

    I know the wall thickness may vary depending on the make etc. but having the info may be helpful to other caravanners.

  • mtbell
    mtbell Forum Participant Posts: 2
    edited September 2016 #6

    Yes good fixing but ive used them before and seen them go rusty, therefore my requirement was plastic for in the bathroom. once fitted these can also be removed and a blank plug fitted if circumstances change