Show us your hatch latches!

[LDK]

[Kharn]

These are the latches that I've decided on for my new build...

Southco V7 spring loaded locking latches...

I am not trying to be critical, but it looks like you are planning on mounting the catch part of the latch on a piece of wood. It looks like you are going to screw it into end grain. End grain on wood is not particularly strong with holding screws. Tighter grains do better like oak, teak etc. You could be planning something different, just trying to help. I tried a set up like this before on a trailer with gated sides and it did not work at all.

Stan

Stan

The best bet would be to ask the manufacturer if they make any with a longer base for the hatch side, he could then bend that so it can screw into a stronger area.

[absolutsnwbrdr]

I am not trying to be critical, but it looks like you are planning on mounting the catch part of the latch on a piece of wood. It looks like you are going to screw it into end grain. End grain on wood is not particularly strong with holding screws. Tighter grains do better like oak, teak etc. You could be planning something different, just trying to help. I tried a set up like this before on a trailer with gated sides and it did not work at all.

Stan

Thanks for the concern Stan. I was worried about the strength of the mounting screws going into the end grain, so on my current trailer with an identical setup (different latches) I did use Oak, and it has worked very well for the past two years. I even have gas struts on my hatch that put the latches under some stress all the time.

[CarlLaFong]

If screwing into end grain gives you the willies, you can drill a hole vertically through the board, near the end and insert a dowel. Then when you screw on the latch, the screws will bite into the long grain of the dowel. If using longer screws, two dowels can be used for extra peace of mind.

[bobhenry]

While you have that hole drilled for that dowel drop a couple of these in instead.



dab on a little locktite for extra measure and you are golden !


http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=367

[Aaron Coffee]

Here is what I did for mine

closeup

Bought these on ebay (will post a link later)for $6 each or so. Not lockable but I am thinking of adding a barrel bolt lock, or a slide lock on the inside of the hatch, I have a pass through from the cabin to the galley I could reach through to unlock it, or I might not put a lock on at all, I don't usually lock #1, not even sure where the keys are. Anyone of dishonest thought please disregard the previous sentence.
Thanks
Aaron

[S. Heisley]

Here is what I did for mine

closeup

Bought these on ebay (will post a link later)for $6 each or so. Not lockable but I am thinking of adding a barrel bolt lock, or a slide lock on the inside of the hatch, I have a pass through from the cabin to the galley I could reach through to unlock it, or I might not put a lock on at all, I don't usually lock #1, not even sure where the keys are. Anyone of dishonest thought please disregard the previous sentence.
Thanks
Aaron

WOW! Aaron: Not only are those latches beautiful; so is that TD!
Have you been holding out on us? I don't remember seeing a build thread on that one.

[Aaron Coffee]

Been working on it off and on since I got home from ITG3. Here is my thread on it, not so much a build thread because I got so busy working on it that I didn't take time to take alot of pictures.
http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=30574&highlight=
I actually got the most work done since labor day, took the whole week off to have it presentable for a car show, then was invited to take it to an indoor World of Wheels type car show, where I got 1st place in the special interest class. Still needs varnish and windows and door and hatch sealed and ac/dc wiring.
Thanks
Aaron[/url]