Bathroom door handle: painful !

Today, for the umpteenth time, I caught myself on the outer handle of the bathroom door, leaving a painful bruise.  It's got to go, in favour of something much smaller and less lethal. 

Has anyone replaced this handle and is there anything we should be aware of before we remove the old one ?

I had considered replacing it with a knob. Not so much because of bashing myself on it, but it has caught in a pocket more than once and threatened to tear it.

Haven't looked closely, but it's probably a standard household fitting??

I'd not thought of a knob but that would be much more user-friendly.   I usuallly run into it as I straighten up from bending over the cooker but today backed into it as we passed each other coming into and out of the van. 

We're home now so I can't check the fittings.

Just had a look for you and it's almost certainly a domestic fitting. Someone will have had the handle off and will be able to confirm.

Good advice Peter. We will look carefully at it and, if it is unliveable with after the coming holiday then will do a careful recce first. 

The bathroom door catch is another area that needs care. I have a ripped blouse and a snagged sleeve to show for that.

Peter Brown wrote:

I managed to cut my hand on that once!

Ouch ! Glad I'm not the only one to tangle with bits of van. I have managed to avoid banging my forehead on the dreaded extractor over the cooker as I've put a length of foam cylinder along it. We had some small bore stuff left over from the packaging on a perspex sheet and there are so many places where it's come in handy- that and grey pipe insulation.

Hmmmmmm.

I just went out to remove a handle and see how it fits, but without success. I took out the grub screws on both handles, but neither of them wanted to pull off. It does look as though they are on a square spindle though, albeit driven on with a big hammer!

I've got to take the van in for gasket fitting on Tuesday, so I'll ask the techie chap how they come off. Probably just need carefully prising off with the flat of a putty knife blade (very handy tools, eh Peter. ) but since they are not busted already I didn't want to force them.

Will report back after Tuesday if nobody has come up with the info.

Many thanks Dave.

It's the bit on the door frame that bruises me got them all round my waist

PLOUGHLIN wrote:After catching my pocket once too often, I turned the handle vertical, no problems since. From memory, remove grub screw, remove escutchen (prises off) to reveal screws below.

Good thinking Holmes !  Thanks

Hi All,
Soon after we bought our van 15 months ago, we too had problems with bruising and getting hung up, please see attached pictures, the door nobs are obtained from any good DIY outlet
Regards
Alan

My wife and I have also been attacked by the enormous handle on the bathroom door. If I can get the rose to prise off I intend to fit a squash court door handle they are a bit pricey but are almost flush fitting A ring lifts up to turn the latch.

The handbrake gets me everytime I wear shorts and slip out the drivers seat, it is embarrassing trying to get back in as if I hit the road I can't get free without releasing the handbrake. 

What was wrong with the push button catches that were fitted to vans of my era?? Totally flush and out of the way when closed, just like all the cupboard door catches in the van.
Al.

bikeralw wrote:What was wrong with the push button catches that were fitted to vans of my era?? Totally flush and out of the way when closed, just like all the cupboard door catches in the van.
Al.

Hear hear !  I wonder if the argument, from AS, might be that these handles look more domestic ( = desirable ? ) than pushbutton ones.

I want to hang my sponge bag over the back of the bathroom door and so bought an overdoor shelf recently.  We are a little surprised to find the door is actually deeper than our doors at home so it is no use.

Quilter wrote:I want to hang my sponge bag over the back of the bathroom door and so bought an overdoor shelf recently.  We are a little surprised to find the door is actually deeper than our doors at home so it is no use.

Fit one of these  to a few inches of webbing, and tack the loose end onto the top of the door so the hook dangles where you want it.

Cheap and easy, plus although you will be making tack holes in the top of the door, when you come to sell the van no-one will ever know unless you tell them. 

Thanks. Not seen those before...I can think of other places they would be useful too.

breakaleg wrote:The handbrake gets me everytime I wear shorts and slip out the drivers seat, it is embarrassing trying to get back in as if I hit the road I can't get free without releasing the handbrake. 

Me too!  Even worse as I have the handbrake extender fitted to the handbrake. Can be mighty awkward!