Tony’s Technical Tips
Fit coat hooks where you want them
CARAVAN MANUFACTURERS rarely fit much in the way of coat hooks in new vans, but in a way, this is a good thing, because you can then add your own choice of hook, exactly where you want them. It is perhaps tempting to take the easy way out and buy domestic coat hooks for your caravan at the local DIY shop, but these are likely to be quite bulky and not in keeping with the caravan fittings. My own preference is to buy stainless steel fender eyes from a marine chandler, such as Gael Force Marine Equipment (www. gaelforcemarine.co.uk), which cost only £1.69 each for a wellfinished stainless steel hook. You will need appropriate stainless countersunk screws of a suitable length for the thickness of your fixing places. Try the screws in the hooks and if necessary, use a large diameter drill to widen the countersunk recess in the hook until the screws fit flush. Start by working your way around the caravan with your partner, putting small insulating tape ‘flags’ where you think the hooks could go, until you are happy with your selections. Wide masking tape is also useful for marking out the hook screw holes and has the added advantage of preventing the drill skating over the surface and causing damage. Make small pilot holes in the woodwork to improve screw grip, but do be careful if you are drilling a hard, brittle material, such as Perspex or Formica, which will require good clearance holes through their thickness to avoid the risk of cracking, then pilot holes in the substrate.