Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

The Cubby plans call for draw latches to help hold down the galley hatch. I'm wondering if there's another way to handle securing the hatch. Attaching a drawlatch to the angle stock which, in turn, is attached to the hatch by rivets, seems just a bit under-engineered. I shouldn't doubt the design, because everything else about the Cubby seems so well put together. I'm just wondering if others have handled this differently.

Chuck , On my Cubby I bent a flat piece of 3/4" Al into an L and screwed that to the hatch. Then attached the larger half of the latch to the side and to the floor frame. The other end is mounted to the short end of the L. There is a photo of my tear that shows it in my album but its probably too small.
Clancy

From what I've read, the draw latches are valuable because they allow the weatherstip to be compressed. I am planning on using them in addition to this paddle lock



I like the idea of a lockable latch and don't want pad locks clanking around.

Chuck

Have you considered modifing the locking mechanism from an overhead garage door. I am building a Cubby and have thought about using this method, but haven't really done a lot of research. I like the idea of the two bars going out and locking into the sides. You may have to put a metal bracket in the sides for the rods to lock into.


Kerry

I think I've seen centrally mounted handles that do push rods in each outside wall....

Does Grant carry these, or does anyone know a source? I do have draw latches (in a box, not mounted: no hatch, yet), but am thinking about going with a central handle instead.

Arne,

I bought the push rods and locking handle you speak of from Austin Hardware. Don't remember how much it was, but I do remember thinking it was a good deal. http://www.austinhardware.com/default.asp?

I picked up a set of the internal draw rods from CampInn. I've since seen them at other places.

I also have the external side latches just in case I can't get the hatch lid to fit tight enough. I'll play with both before deciding... I like the look without the external latches, but the internal ones may not draw the hatch door tight enough. We'll see. I've framed the hatch and approaching the point of finishing it up and installing it.

My present plan is to finish the hatch sans the internal panel and test it to see if it leaks. If it works I install the panel, go get a cold one and celebrate. If I can't make it work I can easily remove the rods and plug the holes, then install the external draw latches. I want 3 lock points - one center and both sides.

I bought my draw latches at the local Ace hardware and are keyed no pad locks.

Have you considered modifing the locking mechanism from an overhead garage door. I am building a Cubby and have thought about using this method, but haven't really done a lot of research. I like the idea of the two bars going out and locking into the sides. You may have to put a metal bracket in the sides for the rods to lock into.

I think this would work fine. Your local hardware store should have what you need.......pretty cheep too. Also they use this same locking "T" handle and rods on most truck caps. You might find an old one to salvage or a truck cap place to sell you the hardware.


Mark

What the?

emiller wrote:I bought my draw latches at the local Ace hardware and are keyed no pad locks.

With all the hardware I have been purchasing at my local Ace, I should own stock in the company

I am getting pretty familiar with what they have there, but I haven't seen any draw latches that are keyed(or have padlock eyes). However, I did notice they had hasps that are good size and keyed. Is this what you meant, or did you have to special order them? Maybe they just normally carry them at your location.... and not the 3 locations near me

We put these on the outside of each galley side:

I will take pictures of them tomorrow and if thats what you need Ican go to ace and see if they have any. If they do I'll send some to you.

beverlyt wrote:We put these on the outside of each galley side:

Wow!

emiller wrote:I will take pictures of them tomorrow and if thats what you need Ican go to ace and see if they have any. If they do I'll send some to you.

emilller - sorry, don't mean to make you go through the trouble, I was just curious. Earlier this week, I ordered some other draw latches from Mcmaster.com so I am taken care of - I am probably paying much more than you, unfortunately. It would have been nice to be able to buy them locally