Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I just bought a 6X12 CT. I am very impressed with all I see here on this forum. I don't plan on a full on conversion, but do plan on some improvements to make my CT useful a couple times a year for sleeping in.

One thing I'm wanting to do ASAP is a door latch on the side door. As it is now there is a "typical" door locking mechanism. Not sure what it is called, but it is a pivoting pipe with an arm that pushes against the door and clamps into place. No way to latch from inside the trailer. And would be a safety issue if someone decided it would be funny to lock the door with me inside.

So do you guys with experience suggest I remove the existing locking system and replace it with some type of door latch? Where can I find something that will work on a CT door? Would like something that can be locked from inside or out if available.

Thanks,
Ron

order a door latch (I got mine off Ebay for > $30) cut a hole and put it in. I had to add a 1/4" thickness to my door which was easily done with a piece of plexi-glass that now double as a dry-earse message board. Check around here for pics and more on this topic. Its there for you, you just have to hunt a bit. Check out Kickintail's build. He has a great step by step on the door latch.

I asked the same question some time agao and got this great reply, complete with pics.

http://tnttt.com/viewto ... ht=#357725

Thanks guys, that looks easy enough. So I guess I need to look for an RV Door Latch.

I did not even know what to look for. Seems obvious now, RV parts are what I'll need. Any suggestions as to online parts sources?

I usually will try to "Do a search" first, but in this case I did not even know what to search for. And my searching skills are not the best. Seems my logic and computer logic aren't the same.

Thanks Again, Now I will search for Kickintail's thread. I have read some amazing build threads here.

Ron

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/?cmd=ViewItem&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649&item=390306076571&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT this is to two door latches I'm watching to replace on my front and rear door.

As others said, buy the RV door latch, eBay is where I got mine.

The pics in the other thread show a wooden door... CT's don't usually have wooden doors. If you're does, then that should be easy

If not, it can be a little more difficult. I'm sure my door doesn't represent all CT doors, but here's what I had to do to get mine in:









Ugly, ugly door jam






It took a jig saw, a grinder, a dremel, some drill bits, and a sawzall. It's not the prettiest install, but it's what I could do with what I had.

To your other question on the leaving the Cam latch on, that depends. I here on dirt roads on unlevel ground that the RV style door latch can pop open. So the Cam latch can keep it more securely closed. That leaves you with a different problem though. You'll need another Cam Latch Hasp mounted on the trailer side to secure the bar in the open position. Otherwise, someone can lock you in, which is real problem with the crew I camp with You could also lock it into place with an eye bolt, but I like the look of the hasp, and had the wall open anyway.

I guess if your install is good, and your trailer doesn't tend to twist, the dead-bolt on the RV latch will keep it closed though. I haven't seen mine pop open yet, and I've pulled it without the cam bar.

ymmv

Don't know how this will look, but it is a simple way of locking the large "cam lock bar" open so you can't be locked in. Helps if you have the wall open so you can run the eye bolt through a rib. Good luck!

Dan

Thanks guys, great help here. I am going to order the single latch as pointed out by David_L6. Appreciate the pictures of the installs. Makes this look straight forward, now that you have told me what and where to buy the correct latch.

Very Helpful.

Ron