Which magnets are suitable for use in campers / caravans?

Magnets prove to be practical accessories for countless camping situations. Be it to mount shade cloths, to secure drawers while travelling, to create hanging options or to attach curtains. The application possibilities seem almost endless. There are a few factors to consider when choosing magnets to ensure that your planned project is a success. On this page, we have therefore collected the most frequently asked questions we receive regarding the use of magnets in camper vans and caravans.

Table of Contents

Safety information

Please note: Under no circumstances should there be any magnets attached to the outside of the camper while driving. If a magnet were to come loose due to wind or uneven roads, for example, it would be dangerous for you, other road users or passers-by.

For safety reasons, we also recommend that you remove magnets on the inside of your camper when driving unless they are located inside cupboards, drawers or similar.

If there are strong winds and you have magnets attached to the outside of the stationary camper, remove them. Especially if you used the magnets to attach shade sails or similar items. During storms, extreme forces act on the magnets and can cause them to be torn away from the holding surface and damage other objects or surfaces.

Please also read the safety instructions for neodymium magnets before using our magnets.

Will magnets stick to my camper van?

While this question could certainly be answered with a resounding "yes" in the 1980s, it is no longer so clear-cut today. In the past, car bodies were made of steel, an ideal surface for magnets. Nowadays, the proportion of steel in modern vehicles is around 50–60%. In addition, materials such as aluminium, magnesium or plastics are now increasingly being used in composite construction. Although this design reduces the weight of the vehicle, it also means that magnets no longer adhere everywhere. Because magnets simply do not stick to aluminium, magnesium and plastic. You can find more information in our FAQ on ferromagnetic materials.

What to do if there is no ferromagnetic surface for magnets?

The solution is simple: Create a surface to which magnets will adhere. For example, with the help of these products:

Screw-on surfaces are ideal since they are impervious to temperature and humidity fluctuations inside the camper van.
Self-adhering surfaces are suitable as an alternative. In the camper, use them only in areas where they are not exposed to direct sunlight and high heat – otherwise, these products will not hold properly and may break.
Self-adhesive surfaces, such as self-adhesive ferrous tapes or self-adhesive metal discs, are only suitable for use in campers to a limited extent. Under certain circumstances, fluctuations in temperature and humidity can cause the adhesive to fail. In such cases, the ferrous tapes can still be used with glue.

I have a ferromagnetic surface for magnets, what do I need to bear in mind?

For the magnet to adhere as desired, please remember a few basic facts:

The surface must be at least 2 mm thick so that the magnet can achieve its full strength. You can find more information on our FAQ page about adhesive force factors.
In the technical data of our magnets, you will find two different values for the strength of a magnet: adhesive force and displacement force. Our FAQ page on adhesive force vs. displacement force has detailed information on the subject.
The greater the distance between the magnet and the mounting surface (e. g. due to interior trims such as felt covering the metal), the lower the force of the magnet. Choose stronger magnets for those cases.
The exception – pot magnets: These types of magnets are only suitable for use in camper vans if they are placed directly on a ferromagnetic surface. Even a small distance between the magnet and the surface is enough to greatly reduce the strength of the magnet. For more information, please visit our FAQ page on pot magnet properties.
Neodymium magnets will rust if they are exposed to moisture and humidity over a long period of time. This has a negative effect on the strength of the magnet. We therefore recommend rubberised disc magnets and magnet systems, especially for applications outside the camper van.

Which magnets are recommended for camper vans?

Rubberised magnet systems (indoor & outdoor applications)

Magnet systems with handles, magnet systems with hooks and magnet systems with eyelets are ideal for applications in the outdoor area of a camper. You can use them to attach shade sails, clotheslines, awnings, portable solar panels and more to your camper van.

Please note before purchasing: For strong magnet systems such as GTNG-66 or GTNG-88, we recommend that you also order a handle. It helps to ease the strain when you want to detach the magnet from the surface. In addition, you also prevent dents in the metal body of the camper.

Rubberised disc magnets (indoor & outdoor applications)

Rubber-coated disc magnets are also suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Even if they are not in direct contact with the mounting surface, they still achieve a good adhesive force. You can utilise our adhesive force tool to help you choose the right magnet.

Pot magnets (indoor applications)

We recommend pot magnets with hooks, pot magnets with eyelets or carabiners and pot magnets with handles for use inside your camper, van or motorhome. They are suitable for hanging dishcloths or towels, fairy lights or for use as coat hooks, to name a few examples.

Please note before purchasing: Due to their design, pot magnets can only be utilised for applications where they can be directly placed on a surface suitable for magnets (i.e. a surface to which the magnet can adhere).

Neodymium magnets (indoor applications)

Our strong neodymium magnets are suitable for all sorts of applications inside your camper van. We have linked some of our most popular magnets below.

Magnetic camping accessories (indoor & outdoor applications)

Magnets improve almost anything, including camping accessories. That’s why you will also find a diverse selection of magnetic camping accessories at supermagnete.

At the supermagnete shop, you will find a broad range of practical magnets and magnetic accessories for campers:

All camping magnets

Inspiration for applications

To keep the cold out:
magnetic thermal mats

For more privacy:
car tent with magnets

Application example of the magnetic car curtains.

For darkening:
magnetic car curtains

Application example of the Camping Box Basic.

Let there be light: hanging strings of light with the Camping Box Basic

Illustration of hanging solutions with hook magnets.

Offer versatile hanging solutions:
hook magnets FTNT-40-B

Illustration of a magnetic clothesline with Camping Box Basic.

Magnetic clothesline: constructed with magnets from the Camping Box Basic

You can find even more inspiring applications with magnets in our customer projects section:

All camping projects

How do I find the right magnet?

To select a suitable magnet for your camper, you need to consider various factors. These include:

Weight of the object to be attached
Direct contact or distance to the ferromagnetic surface
Direction in which the magnet will bear the load: adhesive force / displacement force
Indoor or outdoor use

Below, you will find additional information on each of the factors.

1. Weight of the object to be attached

You can find super strong magnets in our shop – but none of our magnets can hold an infinite load. So, if you want to hang an item on a magnet (e.g. on a hook magnet), the first step is always to determine how heavy the object is. Once you have determined the weight of the object, the next step is to find a magnet with the appropriate strength. If you don't want to hang anything on a magnet, simply skip this step.

2. Direct contact or distance to the ferromagnetic surface

Direct contact: If the magnet is in direct contact with the ferromagnetic surface, the question arises as to whether the surface is susceptible to scratches. This is the case, for example, if you attach a magnet directly to a painted metal surface. In this situation, we recommend rubberised magnet systems or rubberised neodymium magnets. The rubber coating protects delicate surfaces from scratches.

Distance: As soon as the magnet is at a distance from the ferromagnetic surface, maybe because there is fabric or felt in between, please note the following points:

With magnets such as neodymium magnets or magnet systems, the following applies: The greater the distance between the magnet and the surface, the lower the force of the magnet. In such a case, choose stronger magnets.
Refrain from using pot magnets if you cannot attach them directly to the ferromagnetic surface. This is because even a small distance between the magnet and the surface is enough to greatly reduce the strength of the magnet. For more information, please visit our FAQ page on pot magnet properties. However, we have discovered a way around this issue using a "special construction". You can find out more below.

3. Adhesive force or displacement force

A crucial aspect is whether the magnets are to be attached to a horizontal or vertical surface. Of consequence for horizontal surfaces is the 'adhesive force', for vertical surfaces it is the 'displacement force'. These values can be found on the product pages. For example, if you want to attach an outdoor light to a vertical surface, you must take the displacement force into account. It is usually 1/5 to 1/6 of the adhesive force.

4. Indoor or outdoor application

There are a few key points to consider when utilising magnets inside or outside the camper. To securely attach items indoors, magnets with sufficient adhesive force should be used. To avoid scratches, we recommend adding a protective felt or rubber cover to the magnets. For outdoor use, we advise you to choose corrosion-resistant and waterproof magnets to prevent rusting due to exposure to rain and moisture.

Using pot magnets at a distance with a "special construction"

Pot magnets are generally not suitable for applications where the magnets cannot be attached directly to the ferromagnetic surface. Already at small distances, the pot magnets can only achieve a small portion of their force. This applies, for example, if there is wood, felt, glass, aluminium, etc. between the magnet and the surface. However, there is a trick to bridge the gap. Our supermagnete customer service humbly calls it "the special construction".

And here is how this special construction works: the pot magnet is combined with a disc magnet to bridge the gap. It ensures that the field lines are distributed over a large area. This can be clearly seen in the comparison of the illustrations below.

Illustration of field lines of a pot magnet on iron.

Path of field lines of a pot magnet on iron

Illustration of field lines of a pot magnet on a raw magnet.

Path of field lines of a pot magnet on a raw magnet

You can use this special construction whenever you want to attach a magnet to a non-magnetic surface. For example, on a wooden door or car window.

Special construction application example for distances of 3 to 4 mm.

"Special construction" for distances of approx. 3–4 mm

Special construction application example for distances greater than 5 mm.

"Special construction" for distances exceeding 5 mm