Cabinet Latches How to

MS60ocb · 02-12-2020, 10:29 PM

Some time ago I think I read there maybe was difference in the Southco black latches that are always breaking.. The difference was the pounds to pull the latch open. The pull pounds was either 5 or 10 pounds to release. I do not see any marking on the latch to tell a difference.

Does anyone know how to test the latch short of building a jig and using weights. I don't have a scale to pull test. I have a few spares but need to evaluate and find a lighter pull for a 40 inch cabinet door with the latch at the top and handle 36 inches below. The old latch did not twist the door like the replacement latch does. Of course the door would not twist if hinges weren't 28 inches apart.

I have a 40 inch pantry door with shelves on the door which wouldn't hold the adjustment with 2 hinges. I added 2 hinges (now the spacing is10 inches) and no broken latch part or need of adjustment in over 2 years.
So if I go to a standard a cabinet maker told me which is 20 inches max spacing between hinges I need 5 more hinges to help eliminate wear???

Clay 2016 MS 38PS3

rynosback · 02-13-2020, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MS60ocb

Some time ago I think I read there maybe was difference in the Southco black latches that are always breaking.. The difference was the pounds to pull the latch open. The pull pounds was either 5 or 10 pounds to release. I do not see any marking on the latch to tell a difference.

Does anyone know how to test the latch short of building a jig and using weights. I don't have a scale to pull test. I have a few spares but need to evaluate and find a lighter pull for a 40 inch cabinet door with the latch at the top and handle 36 inches below. The old latch did not twist the door like the replacement latch does. Of course the door would not twist if hinges weren't 28 inches apart.

I have a 40 inch pantry door with shelves on the door which wouldn't hold the adjustment with 2 hinges. I added 2 hinges (now the spacing is10 inches) and no broken latch part or need of adjustment in over 2 years.
So if I go to a standard a cabinet maker told me which is 20 inches max spacing between hinges I need 5 more hinges to help eliminate wear???

Clay 2016 MS 38PS3

I think they mostly break for a couple of reasons.
1. Some of the screws are stripped out from the factory
2. Placing small washers with the screw really seems to help also.

There is a thread on it.
Hope this helps.

MS60ocb · 02-13-2020, 02:31 PM

I'm referring to the larger piece of two piece latch failing.
I haven't had a loose screw on the larger part but the item attached to the door breaks when the door needs adjustmnet
Clay

Campingnut · 02-13-2020, 07:34 PM

As far as testing them I would just use a cheap fish scale . But the latch would have to be installed.

rynosback · 02-13-2020, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MS60ocb

I'm referring to the larger piece of two piece latch failing.
I haven't had a loose screw on the larger part but the item attached to the door breaks when the door needs adjustmnet
Clay

Not sure where you are, but I have a couple of the female side of the latching system. As my males tend to break. I also have adjust the alignment of several of them, both male and female. As some of them were misaligned. I did this to take as much stress of the components in hopes they would last longer.

rynosback · 02-13-2020, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Campingnut

As far as testing them I would just use a cheap fish scale . But the latch would have to be installed.

I was thinking the same thing.

rynosback · 02-13-2020, 09:51 PM

Thinking back, when we ordered a bunch of the latching mechanisms they asked what was the measurement of the male part. I would assume the larger ones are the ones that require more of a pull.

wingnut60 · 02-15-2020, 02:02 PM

The 10lb hook/moving latch part is visibly larger/thicker than the 5lb. Both of the 5/10lb hooks work with the original stationary catch part. Look around at a Camping World (sorry, but they DO have some good inventory) and you can probably see the difference. Also, look on Amazon--pull test will be listed at 10lb on the description. I can personally say I never broke one of the replacement 10lb hooks in 13 years of using them. I believe you can buy just the hook part if you research long enough.

MS60ocb · 02-15-2020, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wingnut60

The 10lb hook/moving latch part is visibly larger/thicker than the 5lb.

I will have to look again in my bag of goodies for size. Yes the J hooks has been a problem from the first week when the first one busted for unknown reason but repaired by washers. Later to discover the door alignment on the heaviest door didn't let the parts joint as intended. Repeated breakage lead to extra hinges and not a problem since.

The original stationary catch part failure I have now sticks most of the time preventing the door opening . The door handle is 36 inches below the latch so the door would really twist if pulled hard. Get out the step stool and reach to the top of the door, then a gentle pull-push-pull it will open the door.

the failed Latch being on a long door has a definite need for the lighter pull plus a candidate for a extra hinge.

Thanks to everyone.
Clay

TLeenhouts · 02-19-2020, 10:38 PM

When my latches break in a 15 year old Windsport, I just go to Home Depot. They carry an identical latch and I have had no problems.

Cummins12V98 · 02-20-2020, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLeenhouts

When my latches break in a 15 year old Windsport, I just go to Home Depot. They carry an identical latch and I have had no problems.

You are commenting in the DRV section, do your latches look like this?

Adding washers and going to 3/4" screws mine rarely break.

rynosback · 02-20-2020, 01:31 AM

I have a great lead on the latches. I just ordered 40 male ones. If it is correct, I will put up there information.

**16ACE27** · 02-20-2020, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cummins12V98

You are commenting in the DRV section, do your latches look like this?

Adding washers and going to 3/4" screws mine rarely break.

This may be the DRV forum but those latches are used by Thor everywhere and can be purchased from Amazon in 4-packs for under $12:

https://www.amazon.com/Grabber-Catch.../dp/B082HNZTGY

anijet · 02-20-2020, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 16ACE27

This may be the DRV forum but those latches are used by Thor everywhere and can be purchased from Amazon in 4-packs for under $12:
https://www.amazon.com/Grabber-Catch.../dp/B082HNZTGY

I've ordered these. The J hooks are much larger and require positioning and making new screw holes. They work but are a pain to install compared to direct replacements.

rynosback · 02-20-2020, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anijet

I've ordered these. The J hooks are much larger and require positioning and making new screw holes. They work but are a pain to install compared to direct replacements.

The ones I ordered should be direct replacements. As the harder pull ones are larger. I gave them the measurements of the clip.

Daley07 · 09-08-2021, 12:43 PM

I bought a 2018 RV about a month ago, and 3 of the original drawer latches broke on our first trip. Rather than fool around getting poor replacements from the manufacturer, I replaced them with these Camp’N RV cabinet door latch, and they work great. It was made by Durable ABS plastic: high impact ABS plastic material ensures that the device remains functional for years to come, simple to install with necessary mourning hardware. It can offer this benefit because of its 5lbs of pull force, which ensures the device won’t have trouble even in bumpy traffic.

https://www.amazon.com/CampN-Pair-Pu.../dp/B074WFN45Y

Cummins12V98 · 09-08-2021, 04:13 PM

Latch looks just like what came with the RV originally. The solid pcs are just the heavier duty version.

rynosback · 09-08-2021, 07:32 PM

Sorry for the late reply. I ordered a bag of them a while ago for the fraction of the cost from the source.

Daley07 · 09-12-2021, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daley07

I bought a 2018 RV about a month ago, and 3 of the original drawer latches broke on our first trip. Rather than fool around getting poor replacements from the manufacturer, I replaced them with these Camp’N RV cabinet door latch, and they work great. It was made by Durable ABS plastic: high impact ABS plastic material ensures that the device remains functional for years to come, simple to install with necessary mourning hardware. It can offer this benefit because of its 5lbs of pull force, which ensures the device won’t have trouble even in bumpy traffic.

https://www.amazon.com/CampN-Pair-Pu.../dp/B074WFN45Y

Most bulk buyers won’t be able to help themselves, either, considering this Camp’N RV cabinet latch option comes as a 4-pack. It represents a perfect bargain for these shoppers, especially with its lower cost and excellent performance results.

dapperdan · 09-12-2021, 07:36 PM

Thanks for posting that invoice Ryan. I ordered a 4 - pack of 10 lb. latches just before we changed trailers. I/we broke a couple of latches in the "new" trailer, I'm glad I had those replacements however it was a bit of a PITA to replace as what others have stated is true. The heavier duty latches (male pieces) are larger and require repositioning the screws!

I went through our "new" trailer and added the small washers to ALL of the doors as that all but ended our broken latch issues in '15 Suites!

Dan

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