The W4 Quick Release Barrel Door Retainer offers a dependable solution for holding your caravan or motorhome door open whilst you're loading, unloading, or simply enjoying fresh air inside. This heavy-duty plastic unit serves as a direct replacement for the metal barrel retainers originally fitted by manufacturers such as Lunar, Bailey, Coachman, and the Swift Group. Fitted to most Swift Group caravans from 2007 onwards, it's become an industry-standard component that you'll find on thousands of touring caravans across the UK.
Designed for doors between 20mm and 26mm thick, this retainer creates approximately a 4.5cm gap between the door and caravan body when engaged, giving you the clearance needed for the mechanism to operate properly. It requires a 36mm centre hole through the door for the mechanism and comes with a wall bracket featuring two fixing holes on 40mm centres. A simple push engages the catch to hold the door firmly, and only a deliberate pull of the handle releases it, which means the wind won't accidentally slam your door shut.
One thing worth noting is that the grey finish might not perfectly match the existing fittings on older caravans due to slight shade variations between manufacturers and weathering of original parts. However, this doesn't affect function, and the robust plastic construction provides years of reliable service without the corrosion issues that can affect metal versions. Supplied with fitting instructions, installation is straightforward whether you're replacing a worn-out catch or fitting one to a door that never had a retainer.
Door Retainer - Pull Lever Features
- Quick-release mechanism - push to lock, pull handle to release
- Fits caravan doors 20-26mm thick with 36mm centre hole
- Used by Lunar, Bailey, Coachman, and Swift manufacturers
- Heavy-duty plastic construction resists corrosion
- Supplied with full fitting instructions for easy installation
Specifications
- Door thickness compatibility : 20-26mm
- Gap created between door and body : Approximately 4.5cm
- Centre hole diameter required : 36mm through door
- Wall bracket fixing holes : 40mm centres
- Material : Heavy-duty plastic (corrosion-resistant)
Frequently Asked Questions
This door retainer fits caravan and motorhome doors between 20mm and 26mm in thickness. The retainer mechanism requires a 36mm centre hole drilled through the door for installation. When engaged, the retainer creates approximately a 4.5cm gap between the door and the caravan body, which allows the barrel mechanism to function correctly. The wall bracket component has two fixing holes positioned on 40mm centres for secure mounting to the vehicle wall.
The W4 Quick Release Barrel Door Retainer is used as original equipment by leading caravan manufacturers including Lunar, Bailey, Coachman, Fleetwood, and the Swift Group. It has been fitted to most Swift Group caravans from 2007 onwards, making it a widely recognised industry-standard component. This makes it an ideal direct replacement for worn or broken door retainers on caravans from these manufacturers, though it can be fitted to any caravan or motorhome door that meets the size specifications.
The retainer operates with a straightforward push-and-pull system. When you open the door and push it towards the wall-mounted bracket, the barrel mechanism engages automatically and holds the door firmly in the open position, creating a gap of approximately 4.5cm between the door and caravan body. To release the door, you simply pull the handle on the retainer mechanism. This design prevents the door from accidentally closing in windy conditions whilst allowing easy intentional release.
The distance from the vehicle wall to the outer surface of the door when fully open must be less than 47mm for the retainer to function properly. When engaged, the retainer creates approximately a 4.5cm gap, which sits comfortably within this specification. This clearance measurement is essential because the barrel mechanism needs sufficient space to engage between the door-mounted catch and the wall bracket. Before purchasing, verify your door provides this clearance when opened to its fullest extent.
Yes, the W4 Quick Release Barrel Door Retainer is supplied with complete fitting instructions. These instructions cover the installation process including marking and drilling the 36mm centre hole through the door, positioning the wall bracket with its two fixing holes on 40mm centres, and correctly assembling the retainer mechanism. The instructions make it suitable for both replacement installations and fitting to doors that never had a retainer previously.
The W4 plastic barrel door retainer offers several advantages over metal versions. Plastic construction eliminates corrosion issues that commonly affect metal retainers exposed to weather and road salt. The heavy-duty plastic maintains strength and reliability whilst being lighter than metal equivalents. Major manufacturers including Lunar, Bailey, Coachman, and the Swift Group specify plastic retainers as original equipment because they provide dependable long-term performance without the maintenance concerns of corroding metal parts.
Yes, the W4 Quick Release Barrel Door Retainer works on both caravan and motorhome doors provided they meet the specification requirements. The door must be between 20mm and 26mm thick, accommodate a 36mm centre hole, and have less than 47mm clearance when fully open. The retainer functions identically on motorhomes and caravans, holding the habitation door securely open during loading, unloading, or ventilation whilst maintaining the 4.5cm operating gap.
This W4 retainer has been fitted as standard equipment to most Swift Group caravans manufactured from 2007 onwards. For Swift caravans made before 2007, compatibility depends on the door thickness and existing mounting configuration. As long as your caravan door is between 20mm and 26mm thick and can accommodate the 36mm centre hole required for installation, the retainer will function properly regardless of model year. The supplied fitting instructions help determine compatibility before installation begins.
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