The Shop RV Guide to Caravan Doors

When it comes to our homes, we don't think much about our doors beyond what colour to paint them. But with a caravan, your door is your first and most important line of defence against pests, burglars and overly-friendly neighbours.

Though it may seem as simple as choosing a door and screwing it in place, the unique design of a caravan and the needs of its occupants means that there are several factors you need to consider before you make a purchase. In this Buyers' Guide, we'll walk you through some of these factors so you can make the right choice.

What Size Caravan Door Do You Need?

The most important step in choosing a door is making sure you get one that is the correct size. Because caravan doors attach to an opening in the caravan body, they will come with two measurements: the measurement of the cut-out, or opening, and the measurement of the door itself.

Luckily, most caravans manufacturers in Australia adhere to a standard cut-out width of 621mm and a door width of 586mm. Here at Shop RV Parts, we mainly stock Dometic caravan doors, which all have a cut-out width of 621mm and a door width of 586mm.

The other important measurement is, of course, the height. Most doors will be either 1750mm or 1850mm high, and we stock both options to suit different caravan models. As with anything on your caravan, take extra care with your measurements to ensure you are ordering the correct door.

Do You Want A Left-Hand Hinge Or a Right-Hand Hinge?

The position of your hinges will determine which way your door opens when you're standing outside your caravan, with left-hand hinge doors opening to the left and right-hand hinge doors opening to the right.

Hinge position can be a matter of preference, but it will usually be determined by the design of your caravan and what features are located on either side of the door. The main thing to consider when choosing a left or right-hand door is whether it will obstruct things like windows, hatches or outlets when the door is open.

Generally, you should select a left-hand hinge if the door is at the front of the caravan and a right-hand hinge if the door is at the rear.

Do You Want Square Corners or Round Corners?

Older caravans typically have square corners on the doors, much like you would have on a screen door at home, while newer designs favour rounded corners - often referred to as a radial design.

Though it is possible to find caravan doors with radial top corners and square bottom corners, most designs will opt for one or the other, with modern caravan doors overwhelmingly featuring a radial design.

Radial designs have two distinct advantages over square-cornered doors. The first is that they are ultimately stronger, as the curved corners disperse force (such as someone trying to pry the door open) around the entire door instead of focusing it on the corners. This also does a better job of preventing water ingress than square corners, as the water is channelled around and off the frame.

What Colour Is Right For Your Caravan?

Luckily, it's fairly easy to choose the right colour door since most caravans in Australia are either white or grey, with the only pop of colour coming from logos and decals. With that said, you will want to choose a door whose colours complement your caravan rather than sticking out like a sore thumb.

At Shop RV Parts, our Dometic caravan doors are available in grey or a striking tuxedo-style black-and-grey combo for those that want to add a more modern flourish to their van.

Is A Screen Door Necessary?

Most modern caravan doors feature two layers: an outer door and an inner door with a security screen. The security screen is made from a durable stainless steel mesh to deter burglars and bugs and allows you to leave the outer door open for airflow on hot days, while still giving you peace of mind.

For these reasons, it is generally recommended to opt for a model with a screen door, especially if your caravan is unattended for long periods, where it is at risk of being broken into.

Do You Want Any Other Features?

You can get away with a simple caravan door, but there are several additional features that can give you added peace of mind and quality of life when you're on the road. Opting for a door with windows will let in light, allow you to see any visitors outside, and make the interior of your caravan feel larger.

Equally, blinds will give you additional privacy and allow you to block out unwanted light to ensure a good night's sleep. Vents offer better airflow during the day to keep your caravan cool and are strongly recommended if you cook inside on a gas burner to avoid carbon monoxide buildup.

Finally, a four-point locking system offers added strength and security that will keep you, your caravan and its contents safe from any intruders. Our selection of Dometic doors offers many of these features as standard, with the added bonus of being incredibly stylish.

Shop RV's Top Picks For Caravan Doors

Hopefully you now have a better idea of what to look for when choosing your caravan door, but if you're still unsure, let us help. Below are some of our favourite caravan doors that we stock at Shop RV Parts, along with some points about what makes them so great.

Dometic CARAD Caravan Door H1850mm LH Aluminium, Vented, Grey

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The Dometic CARAD range is a series of premium caravan doors designed with safety in mind. This model is for a caravan with a cut-out of 621mm wide and 1850mm high and is constructed from durable aluminium with a light grey feature.

This vented double-layer door has a left-hand hinge and features an outer shell with a durable glass window and an inner security door with a highly resistant built-in safety mesh and integrated blind to cut out light and offer additional privacy.

Independently tested and rated to withstand 180J of impact, this door features a four-point locking system for ultimate security, and a stylish and weather resistant chrome door lever.

Dometic CARAD Caravan Door H1750mm LH Glass, Grey

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Another model in Dometic's CARAD series, this door is designed for caravans with a cut-out measuring 1750mm high by 621mm wide. With a stylish black and grey tuxedo-style finish, this door makes for a slick addition to any caravan.

Built with a left-hand hinge position, this model has two components: an external door with a durable glass window, and an internal security door with an integrated safety mesh, window blind and four-point locking system for your security.

Rated to withstand 180J of impact, you can put your faith in this door to keep you safe no matter what is thrown at it.

Odyssey Door 2 Radius Corners 1750 x 622MM BL Right-hand Hinge

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This door from Odyssey is available in four colours (white, grey, black and silver) and is designed for caravans with a cut-out measuring 1750mm high by 622mm wide.

A right-hand hinge door, this model is part of Odyssey's 2RC range and features a double-glazed tinted acrylic window panel and a bottom vent for enhanced airflow. The external panel features a one-piece construction with PVC infill for added strength, while a stainless steel RVSafe internal security door is combined with Camec's 3-point locking system for industry-leading protection.

Safe and stylish, this door is a perfect choice for anyone looking for a simple yet secure option for their caravan.

For the best caravan doors and so much more, trust Shop RV Parts.

To browse our full range of caravan doors from Dometic, Odyssey, Jayco & Coast, click here. Meanwhile, head to our Buyers' Guides section for more tips and information on everything from portable fridges and awnings to caravan air conditioners, diesel heaters and more. Happy reading!