Washroom door handle

Wallywal’s Bob
Wallywal’s Bob Forum Participant Posts: 25
edited August 2020 in Caravans #1

The sliding door to the washroom of our caravan is operated by a very small knob that is difficult to turn. Can anyone recommend a suitable replacement that is easy to fit and much easier to operate. Some type of lever operation would be preferable.

I think this is a case of the caravan designer not fully considering the end market user. Looks good if you are thirty something but less useful for us older folks where grip is a problem.

Will try and put a photo of the current lock type to help.

Thank you.

Comments

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2020 #2

    Fabricate a small handle and affix with a couple of self-tapping screws could be an option.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2020 #3

    As Cyberyacht suggest but maybe clamped on using exhaust type clamps so it can be easily removed without damage to the existing handle.

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited August 2020 #4

    Another triumph of style over function!  There does appear tp be a grub screw holding the cylindrical knob onto the shaft - if so the knob could be replaced with something more appropriate.

    Until then, a wrap around with some of that rough surface adhesive tape would keep you going.

  • Wallywal’s Bob
    Wallywal’s Bob Forum Participant Posts: 25
    edited September 2020 #5

    Thank you for your suggestions.

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2020 #6

    take out grub screw and remove knob. then fit a pair of these.

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/332363940439

    hope it helps. laughing

  • jennyc
    jennyc Forum Participant Posts: 957
    500 Comments
    edited September 2020 #7

    Why should a small handle be difficult to turn? Possibly internal friction, which a squirt of WD40 will fix. We’d try that before adopting more complex solutions. Removing the lock assembly and checking/ resolving friction issues may well help if WD40 doesn’t do it.

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2020 #8

    The OP did say that it is an Age / Grip problem Jenny --  not all of us have a grip like a Tax man chasing a ten bob note, alasmoney-mouth  

  • richardandros
    richardandros Club Member Posts: 2,681 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2020 #9

     The lock on our van's bathroom door is of a type I've never seen before.  It's magnetic - so that when the door is open, the catch is withdrawn into the lock and doesn't present a target for your arm or hand to catch on. When the door is closed - it locks by magnetism in the other direction, only to disappear into the lock again when the handle is turned to open the door. Clever German design? - perhaps more likely to have come from China!

  • Wallywal’s Bob
    Wallywal’s Bob Forum Participant Posts: 25
    edited October 2020 #10

    Thanks lornalou1 but the knob is held on with a screw thread on the shaft. Already had to reverse them 4 years ago as trying to undo the door from the washroom side caused the knob to unscrew!

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