Elddis Explorer 115 2021 - Underseat locker door has fallen off !!!!

[TuiHiggins]

Hi,
Just wondering if any other Elddis owners have experienced issues with the underseat lockers?
These doors sit under the seats and fold down to allow access to fuse box and heating systems whilst offering storage.
Ours have fallen off after less than a year. On our van they are only held in place by 2 small brackets with 4 very short screws (2 for panel 2 for bed frame).
The much smaller cupboard under the oven has exactly the same number of hinges and screws whilst being one quarter the size!!
This seems woefully inadequate and it is no surprise to me that the screws have been pulled from the panel as the strain on them is excessive.
Currently raised as a warranty item but was wondering meantime if anyone else has had the same issue and if so how they resolved it.

 

[Phill D]

hi and welcome,

as the van is still in warranty ( a year old ) then i would suggest that the way to get it properly resolved is through the dealer to fix.

 

[Lenny HB]

If you have them repaired under warranty guaranteed it will happen again. Far better to sort it out yourself and know the repair will last.

 

[TuiHiggins]

Hi Phill,
Its going in next month for habitation certificate and they will look to fix the door but I wasn't convinced by suggested repair (add another small hinge). Warranty is preferred route for definite. I'd have thought a full length piano style hinge would be a better bet and was wondering more if others had had a similar issue and if so what they had done about it. Looking for a permanent fix as I don't want to be in and out of dealers with warranty claim.

Something like this......
Amazon product ASIN B08HS3XGHQ
rather than whats on it just now

Self-Colour Fixed Pin Butt Hinges 25 x 24.5mm 2 Pack

Order online at Screwfix.com. Ideal for cupboard and cabinet doors. Self-colour finish can be painted to a suitable colour. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 5 minutes.

www.screwfix.com

 

[TuiHiggins]

I agree Lenny

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[ontheroadagain]

We had an Autoquest 155 with similar under seat lockers.
The problem is when they are open they fold down and it is very easy to kneel on them which rips the screws out the door.
It only happen me once and I was more careful after that.
I had to glue some matchsticks into the holes to get the screws to grip.

 

[TuiHiggins]

Hi ontheroadagain, I did the same as a running repair on one side (covered it over with gaffer tape to add a bit more strength to it) and whilst it is holding it does feel like a temporary solution. I just cant believe that the number and size of brackets used is the same for a 30cm panel as it is for what must be a 1.2m panel length.
I was also looking at putting a horizontal roller door in to allow access without having to open the panel but I'm not that handy with a jigsaw!!!!

 

[ontheroadagain]

covered it over with gaffer tape to add a bit more strength to it

Be careful using tape. The Elddis "wood" is a thin printed paper finish stuck onto a lightweight panel.
If you remove the tape, it is very easy to also remove the finish.
Don't ask me how I know