Sink Catch

Owners of some Auto Trail campervans will know about the bathroom sink that fits flat against the wall when not in use, but which is supposed to be left in the open position when travelling. If you forget to do this then it’s possible for the sink to drop down if the magnetic catches don’t hold it in place. Since the magnets aren’t stuck on very well (unless like me you’ve refitted them with Epoxy Resin!) then it’s not hard for this to happen

Some owners have fitted commercial catches but, in my opinion, they are a bit ugly. Also they require screwing to the wall and I have a general rule that I only do that when I have to.

So I designed a new catch that fits using a VHB (Very High Bond) adhesive pad from 3M. Fitting is very easy: clean the surface using an alcohol wipe (suppled), let that dry and then remove the protective film on the pad. Fit the rear of the catch (with “top” at the top!) to the wall, adjacent to a top corner of the sink, and press hard. Then fit the cover over that and rotate. The cover is then free to rotate, and has indents to keep it either horizontal (to stop the sink from falling open) or vertical (to allow it to open).

A single catch is plenty strong enough to hold the sink should it release itself, and on some vans (e.g. Expedition 66) there is space only to the right of the sink to fit one. On some other vans (e.g. Expedition 67) there is space to the left so you can if you wish fit a second catch.