I need 2" baggage door latches that are *thin*?!?!

[KylerLaird]

I bought ten of the "Sierra Pacific RV E521 2" Monaco/Winnebago Style Baggage Door Latch Compartment Hardware Plunger catch" on Amazon, thinking that I'd replace one latch that was missing(!) and have plenty on hand for when I need replacement.  I was shocked to find that they don't fit.

My old latches are just a little bit thinner than the new ones.  I started to grind a bigger hole but realized I'd have to grind all the way back.  I dread doing that, especially for all of the doors.

Where can I get thin latches???

Thanks!

--kyler

 

[Gizmo100]

Welcome to the RV Forum kyler

Instead of grinding a bigger hole....Could you grind down the latches on a bench grinder?

 

[nfredrick]

I bought a baggage latch that was supposed to fit, of course it didn't but the plunger looked like it was the right size so I took the old one apart (had to drill out the rivets) and used the plunger from the new one in the old one and it worked like a charm

Norm

 

[dkreuzen]

I went through that latch issue on my last motorhome and got tired of changing the broken plastic parts so I duplicated the plungers out of aluminum and rebuilt all 24 latches. A couple of years later RB MACHINING started making them. Don't waste your money on those plastic plunger latches.
https://www.motorhomelatches.com

 

[8Muddypaws]

Thanks for that link.  Saving it in my RV folder.

 

[KylerLaird]

I appreciate the replies, All!  It's good to know that I'm not alone in having this problem.

I'd consider tackling a rebuild but this truck was delivered completely missing a latch.  (It's just one of many broken/missing items on this "ready to go" vehicle...)

I thought about grinding the new latches but it's a lot of thin surface to grind.  If I had a mill handy, I'd go for it...but I don't...yet.

I ordered a couple much more expensive latches as an experiment.  One was exactly the same as the batch I first bought.  The Fleetwood latch, however, is more promising.  It looks very similar to mine, but has 3" hole spacing.  Also, the rivets protrude quite a bit.  I can get it in the hole with a bit of force but getting it out takes even more.

I like the look of the RB Machining latches.  And their Fleetwood latch comes with both 2" and 3" holes?!  I haven't found any other Fleetwood 2" latches.

I'll probably drill 2" holes in this Fleetwood latch that I've got but I'll give RB Machining a try next.

Thank you!

 

[KylerLaird]

It's late and I'm lazy.  I decided to just drill 3" holes.  The Fleetwood latch worked fine.

So, in summary...there are two thicknesses of latch.  Thinner is Fleetwood and thicker is Monaco/Winnebago.  Also, the Fleetwoods come in 2" and 3" hole spacing, but good luck finding the 2" other than RB Machining.

BTW, as I installed the latches I put a hook in the end of each control rod.  There seemed to be plenty of slack and I don't know how they stay in with just a right angle at the end.  Sure feels better now.  (There was one missing before and then the control rod for the other latch slipped, prompting my work on it.)