Fridge broken locking plate (1 Viewer)

beachcaster

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Dec 18, 2010
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east sussex
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The Dometic fridge on my autotrail has a puny thin sliding/locking plastic plate that has broken. I a bit of bad design as its too thin and fragile for the job.
Has anyone got a better solution to this plate..or can you point me to where I can get a couple more as even a new one is going to break again sooner or later.

Bad designers should be shot !

barry:Smile:
 
Dec 28, 2011
2,426
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Try going online as they have a customer support and spares department.

www.dometic.com should get you started.

You could also give them a piece of your mind about the product whilst you are on to them. :thumb:
 

ourcampersbeentrashed

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Apr 19, 2008
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ours broke too whilst we were at the malvern show, luckily there was a stall with replacement part but at just under £15 we thought it very expensive for a few small bits of plastic

if you cant get what you want there may be a stall at shepton or lincoln so post again if you are still stuck

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Snowbird

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Here you go, it is expensive for what it is. If its just the front slider that's broken they are about a tenner.Link Removed
 
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beachcaster

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Dec 18, 2010
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east sussex
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Thanks for the info

Just seen the price for a bit of plastic.....!!! Amazing

So out to the workshop ( Im lucky to have some good equipment ) reglued it then re enforced it across the break with A thin strip of corian..re drilled the hole through the corian and profiled the new material to match the original shape then
added two more thin strips of aluminium at either end

Its now 10 times stronger than it was.......and all the reinforcing is underneath
so cant be seen.

This original part is just not up to the job.

thanks for the replies

barry
 
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grumps147

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Jun 6, 2010
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And here I am thinking is only me who is cack handed. Ours has cracked right across where the hole is where the screw goes. So far just re-screwing it when it jams has worked. Where on earth do they get £25 :Eeek: from!
 

BwB

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Apr 3, 2011
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I don't know if my fridge catch is broken or not because it's missing completely. I didn't notice at the time of buying the van :Sad:

Normally just put the water container in front of the door but reading through this I've just priced up and new catch assembly - one piece of bent metal and one plastic lever. Total price just under £40. BARGAIN!! I'll keep using the container:roflmto:

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Feb 24, 2013
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I don't know if my fridge catch is broken or not because it's missing completely. I didn't notice at the time of buying the van :Sad:

Normally just put the water container in front of the door but reading through this I've just priced up and new catch assembly - one piece of bent metal and one plastic lever. Total price just under £40. BARGAIN!! I'll keep using the container:roflmto:

Ours is broken, I removed the plastic slide bit and can then see the metal locking piece, which we can then move with a screw driver or finger nail if brave!! I guess they are all a bit different but you might not need the water container
 
Feb 24, 2013
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Bolsover, Derbyshire
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Hymer S800
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not long enough
The Dometic fridge on my autotrail has a puny thin sliding/locking plastic plate that has broken. I a bit of bad design as its too thin and fragile for the job.
Has anyone got a better solution to this plate..or can you point me to where I can get a couple more as even a new one is going to break again sooner or later.

Bad designers should be shot !

barry:Smile:

I totally agree, awful design, ours has broken, but we managed to get the slide off (unscrewed when open) now can move locking piece by hand or screwdriver. Not sure I am happy to pay £40 and have it break again, we were lucky to get it open first time. No access to steak or cold beer too big a risk David
 
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beachcaster

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Dec 18, 2010
3,044
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east sussex
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a few years
I agree how can they justify £20 for what must be a design that is not fit for purpose. I am going to have words with them tomorrow.

I don't mind replacing something I broke because I was a bit brutal with it
but there is no doubt that this is bad design.

The screw is too big and exerts too much stress on the thin plastic that just breaks as you tighten the screw... it has no strength. Two small screws not pressuring the weakest point........thicker plastic
or a metal plate rather than a plastic one would be better solutions.

I will let you know what they say.

barry:)

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Aug 29, 2010
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Ours has failed twice. Original glue repair lasted a few weeks but ultimately doomed. Short term I have taken to sticking a golf tee in the left hand alternative hinge mount into the corresponding hole in the door but the reinforcing fix described above seems pretty good.:Smile: :Smile::Smile:
 

dna

Jan 17, 2010
663
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Llandudno
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AT Tribute 680 pvc
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since 2009
Us too!

Our catch broke as well. Having seen the price of replacements, we adopted the flick the metal catch by hand option.

At this rate it would be easier to ask people to post if they haven't had this part fail. :Smile:
 

grumps147

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Jun 6, 2010
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Ours has failed twice. Original glue repair lasted a few weeks but ultimately doomed. Short term I have taken to sticking a golf tee in the left hand alternative hinge mount into the corresponding hole in the door but the reinforcing fix described above seems pretty good.:Smile: :Smile::Smile:

The best fixes are often the simplest, excellent suggestion, thanks.

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