Autotrail external door restraint replacement

Hi, we have a 2009 Autotrail Cheyenne and the external restraints that hold open the doors are tired, which is a pain with the upward opening garage doors.
They are pop riveted to the external skin, I can drill out and screw new ones on, but I am concerned how strong the outer skin is and how to strengthen if they pull out?
Also have same problem with the awning light screw fixings, which don't tighten up.
Anyone replaced the door restraints or strengthened screw fixings in this body shell?

Thanks in anticipation.........Barry

 

I shall look forward to any replies on this because my door retainer is also pop riveted and I'm considering replacing it like yourself.

 

Different van, but mine had these retainers, which are rubbish:-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DOOR-RETA...715?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item1c51185a1b

So for the main habitation door I replaced it with one of these:-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CARAVAN-M...527?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item20f930adff

Which is a lot better. I just screwed it on to the outer skin, with a blob of white Sikaflex underneath - the screws being mostly to hold it firmly in place whilst the Sikaflex goes off. The Sikaflex also ensures the screwholes are sealed.

 

Many thanks

 

When I asked my dealer for a new retainer, he said take ("take") two or three, the plastic only lasts a short time before losing its strength. I took one but only weeks later I had to buy another in France. My van is a Dethleffs but uses similar retainers that are screwed on. If yours are pop riveted on, I would be inclined to use new pop rivets, for I doubt there will be enough strength in the little pop rivet holes to take a screw. Anyway, you do not know how thick the wall is.

 

Use one of these to replace the rivets with threaded inserts:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LASER-Han...932?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item5b09b945e4

 

On my 2011 Tracker the door retainer is far too near the hinged door so no wonder it looses its grip so easily. I decided to just use a bungee to hold it open braced from the door handle enclosure to the wheel arch.