You open your camper's garage, pull the drawer towards you and have your camping gear within reach. Just as it should be. But what if the drawer starts to feel stiff, or the lever no longer springs back up freely when opening and closing it?
Then it is time to check the drawer runners and locking mechanism. This guide shows you how to maintain the drawers in your Kampfinity storage system: remove dirt, lubricate the right points and check that everything works. Photos from our own workshop show you what to look for.
When does a drawer need maintenance?
Dust, sand and dirt can find their way into your campervan or motorhome garage while travelling. Check the moving parts if you notice that:
- the lever no longer returns upwards freely on its own;
- the drawer takes more effort to open or close;
- the bearings in the runners no longer move smoothly;
- dirt is visible on the bearing tracks or around the lever mechanism.
A change like this does not automatically mean a part needs replacing. Start with an inspection and basic maintenance. If the drawer still catches or the lock does not work reliably, further investigation is needed.
Which lubricant should you use for our drawer runners?
At Kampfinity, we recommend WD-40 Specialist White Lithium Grease for maintaining the metal runners and lever mechanism shown here. This is the version pictured below. White lithium grease is intended for lasting lubrication of applications such as metal-to-metal contacts under load.
Do not confuse it with ordinary WD-40 Multi-Use. That multipurpose spray frees stuck parts, displaces moisture, protects against rust and also provides lubrication. For the maintenance demonstrated here, however, we choose white lithium grease. Check the full product name on the can.
Maintain your camper drawer in five steps
1. Empty the drawer and inspect the runners
Remove the boxes or luggage so you can reach the moving parts easily. Use the lever to open the drawer gently and inspect both runners. Is anything caught between the parts? Can you see accumulated dirt? Does the drawer move straight?
2. Remove loose dirt
Remove dust and dirt with a soft brush and a clean cloth. Pay attention to accessible bearing tracks and the area around the lever mechanism. Carefully wipe away dirty grease deposits on the outside, without dismantling the runners.
Work on clean, dry surfaces. This puts fresh lubricant where it is needed rather than on top of sand and dust.
3. Lubricate the moving lever mechanism
Does the lever no longer spring back up freely when opening or closing the drawer? Aim the precision straw at the accessible moving metal contact points of the lever mechanism, as shown in our close-up. Apply a small amount of lithium spray grease. Remember the second lubrication point on the slide itself: apply a small amount of grease there too. The handgrip itself does not need greasing.
Then move the lever gently a few times and check that it returns freely. A small, targeted amount is enough; the whole mechanism does not need a thick coating of grease.
4. Lubricate the accessible bearing tracks in the runners
Is the drawer itself stiff? Check the bearings and their tracks in the runners too. Apply lithium spray grease sparingly to the accessible metal bearing tracks of the runners shown. Include both the lower and upper bearings on both sides of the drawer. Difficult to reach them? If necessary, remove the drawers completely from the module to gain proper access to the bearings.
Use the straw for precise application. There is no need to spray the aluminium frame, storage boxes or the rest of the camper garage. Follow the instructions on the can and work with adequate ventilation.
5. Move the drawer and check the lock
Gently open and close the empty drawer a few times. This distributes lubricant over the moving contact surfaces. Wipe away any visible excess grease.
Then check that the drawer moves evenly, the lever returns freely and the lock engages properly. Always check the closed position before driving again. Put your equipment back and test the operation once more under normal use.
How often should you maintain camper drawers?
Maintenance needs depend on use and conditions. A camper garage that is often open on a dusty campsite needs more attention than a clean storage space that is rarely used.
A practical time to check is before a longer trip, after a period of storage or after use in dusty conditions. Inspect the runners, try the lever and feel whether the drawer moves smoothly. Lubricate when needed; repeatedly adding grease to a drawer that works well is not a goal in itself.
Keep the garage floor and your storage boxes clean too. This limits loose dirt around your pull-out storage system.
Is the lever still sticking or the drawer still stiff?
Does the problem persist after cleaning and targeted lubrication? Contact Kampfinity. An issue with adjustment, damage or locking calls for a different solution than more lubricant.
Ideally, send us a short video showing both the drawer and lever moving. Tell us which module you have and when the problem occurs, so we can help more effectively. Do not use the module while travelling unless the drawer stays securely closed and locked.
Get more convenience from your camper garage
Good maintenance helps preserve the ease of use of a pull-out module. Your equipment stays neatly stored, and you can pull your boxes or luggage towards you when needed.
Would you like a more practical garage layout? Explore our campervan storage systems or browse our drawer modules and storage systems for motorhomes. We will gladly help you consider the available space and what you want to take with you.
Curious about how we build these modules? Read how your Kampfinity storage system is made, from order to finished product.
