Caravan Window Stays: How to Replace or Fix Them

A caravan window that will not hold position properly is more than an annoyance. It can leave a gap for draughts, reduce security, and make summer ventilation awkward. The good news is that most replacement caravan window stays are straightforward once the stay type, fixing style, and length have been identified correctly. The steps below also help if the fault is actually a latch, lock plate, or bracket rather than the stay itself.

What caravan window stays do

Caravan window stays support the window and hold it at a set opening, so air can flow without the sash dropping back. A worn stay can spoil ventilation, make the window rattle, and stop the catch from lining up cleanly.

Identify your stay type

Most caravan window stays fall into two common families: tube stays and auto stays. Check the end fittings as well, because lever lock and perma-fix versions look similar at first glance. Caravan and motorhome windows can use different fittings, so matching by appearance alone is risky. If you need a direct replacement, a tube window stay pair may suit one style, while slide-on stays with catch are better for lever lock fittings. For auto stay hardware, compare both left- and right-hand options such as a left hand auto stay or right hand auto stay.

Measure the replacement correctly

Measure the stay in its closed position, not while it is partly open, because that gives the most reliable length. The fixing style must match as well as the size, whether the original is screw-on or slide-on. It also helps to check left and right hand parts before ordering, especially on paired window stays. For larger openings, a 300mm tube window stay pair may be the closer match.

Tools and checks before removal

Have a screwdriver, the correct fixings, and a clean surface ready before starting. Support the window first, because once the stay is disconnected the weight can shift suddenly. While you are there, inspect brackets, screws, and any cracked plastic parts, since a broken mount can mimic a failed stay.

How to remove a damaged stay

If the fitting uses a lever lock, release it carefully rather than forcing the mechanism. Slide-off types usually lift or unhook once the catch is free. Remove screws gently and avoid twisting the window frame, which is easy to do when following a quick video repair without a second pair of hands.

Fit the new caravan window stay

Line the replacement up with the original fixing points before tightening anything. Screw-on fittings go back where the old screws sat, while slide-on versions should seat fully before the lock is closed. Once fitted, move the window through its range and check that the stay locks securely without binding.

Fix common latch and lock problems

A stuck lever lock, loose catch, or worn lock plate does not always mean the whole stay is ruined. Sometimes a small replacement part is enough, which is useful if the rest of the mechanism is sound. If the window will not stay shut, check the latch position and make sure the plate meets it squarely.

When to replace brackets or choose a specialist part

If the bracket is bent, the adaptor plate is cracked, or the bung no longer holds properly, replacing those pieces can solve the issue faster than changing the full stay. Perma-fix, polyfix, and similar mounting options are not always interchangeable, so compatibility matters. Before ordering online, confirm the fixing pattern, hand side, and overall length against the existing caravan window stays.

Choosing the right part first saves time

The quickest repair is usually the one matched properly from the start. Compare the original stay, check the fixing type, and look closely at the latch or bracket before buying. That approach keeps the window opening smoothly and avoids ordering the wrong spare twice.