Help with Galley Hatch Latch and Lock

[cupsal]

As many of you have done I have to rebuild my Galley Hatch due to insufficient support of the gas struts.

Since I have had so much trouble with the locking and latching mechanism, I want to rebuild that as well.

Currently I have central “T” handle that moves two rods that are suppose to engage in two holes at the sides of the trailer. The problem is that the rods do not always line up with the holes correctly!

I am open to any ideas that work.

Thanks,
Chip

[Leon]

I made some aluminum bushings that mount in the side walls to give the rods something solid to go into. So far that is working great. One word of caution - use loctite to put the rod hardware onto the handle. Mine came loose last weekend and fell off, luckily the hatch was open when it came loose. If it had been closed I don't know how I would have gotten the hatch unlocked.

[sdtripper2]

Chip:

My T Handle works quite simply:
It is of Hunter Shadow Teardrop design:

I will show a series of pictures:
Note: The T Handle just is installed in the middle of my hatch.

The handle turn post places the turn lock mechanism close to the rear
floor in a position and spacing so that when twisted the snugging and close
happens with efficiency.

You will note in the pictures that the lock mechanism goes into the floor
mounted solid stop on an angle and snugs the hatch into place. When I lock
the T Handle it forms a snug and secure hatch mounting to the floor of the
trailer.

T-Handle view:

T-Handle Rear view with simple swing lock Mechanism:

Floor view of slide snugging lock that holds hatch to floor tight:
Note: The floor mount has a stop so when I turn the T Handle it stops in place to lock.
The swing lock on the hatch fits into the slot where the first screw on the
left side resides. Also see the angle of the stop for snugging the hatch tight.

Side Floor view of slide snugging lock that holds hatch to floor tight:

[john]

I rounded the tips of my rods with a grinder so as to help them fall into the holes.

[Mary K]

Steve, so you have any other latches holding the hatch closed? Like on the sides.

Thanks,

Mk

[sdtripper2]

Steve, so you have any other latches holding the hatch closed? Like on the sides.

In a word No..

The pictures above show all & that bracket stop holds my hatch to the floor
and shut.

It is very snug and have never had a problem in any way.

[Jim Marshall]

Here is a link to the latch that I used on our tear and we are really pleased with it. It will also help in the event your hatch is sprung just a little.
http://www.austinhardware.com/product.a ... %5Fid=1364

Austin Hardware has many more locking devises and latch hardware.
Jim

[calwes]

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/calwes1950/my_photos here are some pictures of the locking latch I made for mine

[calwes]

Ok! I'm learning , slowly)_ but i'm learning. Here are pictures of hatch lock latch I built for minehttp://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/calwes1950/my_photos

[doug hodder]

A trick I used for marking the holes to be drilled into the sides of the trailer when using the 2 rods...wrap the end of the rod with carbon paper, yes you can still buy it, close the hatch, twist the handle to the close position...it should leave at least 1 mark on the inside...drill that one to accept the rod, then do the other the same way...you should have the weatherstripping on when doing this as it may change afterwards...just a thought...Doug

[calwes]

I use the wifes lip stick. Just dab abit on the rods and when the rods touch , they leave a mark.

[doug hodder]

Good idea...just don't have a wife....Doug

[calwes]

Doug, you got me there. Carbon paper is much cheaper than lipstick if you count the wife!

[doug hodder]

and if she didn't squawk on your using it....well...I'd be surprised... doug