Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I'm building my teardrop with a curved backend much like the SoCal teardrops. I'm a little worried about my galley locking mechanism. Does anyone have any detailed shots of their locks and where they got them? It was mentioned that I should just use the ones that Grant sells, http://www.lilbear.teardrops.net/parts2 ... alleylatch, but I'd really like one in the middle with a handle. Anything would be much appreciated.

Take a look at page 1 of my album, bottom row of pix, & the first pic on page 2. I used a 'T' handle from an old pickup camper shell but 'T' handles & locking bars/rods are available online & from various other sources. Mine took a little modification (shortening of the locking bars) & I had to devise an 'escutcheon' for the locking receptacle hole (used a large flat washer in which I drilled & countersunk the holes for mounting screws). Took less time to do than finding components. I installed the 'T' handle & locking rods before drilling the receptacle holes in the galley wall, then used a little of my wife's lipstick on the end of the rods, closed the hatch, turned the 'T' handle to press the rod ends against the wall which left a bit of lipstick just where the hole needed to be. Mine works great & have had no problems in 2yrs of use.

http://www.spaenaur.com/view_pdf.asp?Page=L7

http://www.spaenaur.com/view_pdf.asp?Page=L5

I saved these links because there located in Canada, but I'm sure there are other companies out there selling similiar like

http://www.mcmaster.com/

Harvey, great idea. Thanks so much.

Ken, thanks for the links.

Anybody else?

01Sport wrote:Harvey, great idea. Thanks so much.

Ken, thanks for the links.

Anybody else?

Not in the middle but......



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Steve, do you know where to get that lock at?

When they are sealed on the sides, does it give it a nice tight seal in the middle?

01sport-

Not Steve, BUT!

Copied from "Rich's List" at the top of this page (a list of various suppliers).

Individual parts listings by part
• Latches, handles
Hatch Latches – Latches for holding your galley hatch closed.
http://austinhardware.com/product.asp?d ... pf_id=1344
http://www.mcmaster.com/ Page # 2788 Part # 1863A22
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=435
http://www.teardroptrailers.net/parts/latch/latch.htm ….best to contact by phone…phone
# is 530 878-0407
http://www.teardropparts.com/sub-pages/ ... rdware.htm
Cupboard Latches – Latches for holding your cabin and galley cupboard doors closed
http://www.rockler.com/findit.cfm?cooki ... &page=1375
Entrance door latches – Old style flat steel door latches
http://www.teardroptrailers.net/parts/latch/latch.htm ….best to contact by phone…phone
# is 530 878-0407
http://www.teardropparts.com/sub-pages/ ... rdware.htm
Old style latches and handles
http://www.teardrops.net/LilBear/parts.html#handles

Cheers,

Coop

01Sport wrote:Steve, do you know where to get that lock at?

When they are sealed on the sides, does it give it a nice tight seal in the middle?

Thanks Coop, that's a great list Steve (SDTripper) made.

The latches in my pictures came from McMaster.com they come with a formed neoprene gasket on the bottom, a nylon seal on the center part, and I was able to get them both keyed alike. I've been happy with the way they turned out.

I'm thinking of using a latch that works like the hood release on a car, it would have a handle inside the cabin near the galley wall that would release the hatch from the inside. Anyone tried this before?
Aaron

Let me throw in a oddball suggestion...

Bar latch for a garage door - would allow you do do as you propose, single centered handle but latches both sides.

http://www.garage-doors-and-parts.com/g ... locks.html (not recomending the site - just had all the components on one page) Pick an L or T handle from the "Lock handle" section add a swivel and lock bars...

Your local garage door supplier (not big orange - they haven't a clue) can help ya...

AndyL wrote:Let me throw in a oddball suggestion...

Bar latch for a garage door - would allow you do do as you propose, single centered handle but latches both sides.

http://www.garage-doors-and-parts.com/g ... locks.html (not recomending the site - just had all the components on one page) Pick an L or T handle from the "Lock handle" section add a swivel and lock bars...

Your local garage door supplier (not big orange - they haven't a clue) can help ya...

If you had to push in at all to compress the hatch seal in the corners as you turn the center handle, it would take 3 hands to lock the hatch.

Great info, thanks guys. I like the idea of the garage door lock, if only they had one that went both ways like the truck camper one.

This can work too.


Insert a lock in place of the bolt....
May not be as secure as a locking handle, but it works for me.

Dee Bee

Thanks Dee Bee, great to have options.