Dreaded Closet Locks - Montana Owners Club

Jaelyn · 07-25-2007, 08:51 AM

Cloest Locks
After replacing several locks on the closet doors. I was thinking of a way to do away with the orginal locks. They break on a regular bases, they are had to open, and my wife hates them and they are just a pain.
I found a plastic patio door security lock called Prowler Proof by Hillman at Lowes. They were in the isle with the baby locks. I just installed them, very easy, they stick on the mirror. I have to wait 72 hrs before trying them under stress.Hope this my help someone.
Tom

bncinwv · 07-25-2007, 09:04 AM

Our approach (which has worked so far - knock on wood) is we only use the locks when we are in transit. We reverse the doors for use so the locks are not an issue while we are in the Monty. Hope this continues to work.
Bingo

Parrothead · 07-25-2007, 11:01 AM

We do the same as Bingo. We also found out if you relieve the pressure a little (pushing toward the frame), they are easier to open. Our unit is 3 and we have never broke one.
Happy trails............................

rickety · 07-25-2007, 11:48 AM

Ditto parrothead and Bingo. Reversed etc....

hookman · 07-25-2007, 02:50 PM

We on our 4th trip both locks broke. The Monty is in getting the little things fixed so we are grounded for one more week.

sreigle · 07-25-2007, 04:41 PM

Someone on this forum posted a solution that has worked well for us so far. I wish I could remember who it was so I could give them credit.

The solution was to purchase small o-rings and put them on the screws between latch and frame. This gives the latches some flex which keeps them from breaking and makes them easier to open. We're pleased with the result. We do still reverse the doors when not traveling.

ols1932 · 07-25-2007, 05:24 PM

This is an interesting subject. The first pair on our closet doors broke shortly after we purchased our rig. So when I installed new ones, I put them on the door first and closed the door while holding on to the latch. I then proceeded to mark the latches so that I could mount them in a new location with less stress on them. Haven't broken a latch in over six years--and we open and close the doors a lot.

Orv

RC and Samantha · 07-25-2007, 06:21 PM

We have replaced ours on our 2003 twice now. This time I did the O-ring trick Steve mentions. It's only been a month or so and we haven't used the camper since I replaced them. We also only use them when we are underway. While parked we leave ours reversed as mentioned here. Learned that trick here on MOC. In fact I think maybe Steve taught us that one.

Patty

mlh · 07-26-2007, 04:51 AM

Try the o-ring trick, takes 5 minutes, cost 1 buck, and IT WORKS.
Lynwood

haslcs · 07-26-2007, 10:05 AM

i did the o-rings and they work. like everybody sais it only cost 1 or 2 dollars. and they work a lot easier.

sreigle · 07-26-2007, 10:25 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by ols1932

This is an interesting subject. The first pair on our closet doors broke shortly after we purchased our rig. So when I installed new ones, I put them on the door first and closed the door while holding on to the latch. I then proceeded to mark the latches so that I could mount them in a new location with less stress on them. Haven't broken a latch in over six years--and we open and close the doors a lot.

Orv

Orv, I think you nailed the cause of the broken latches - misalignment. We never had a problem with the latches on our 2003 3295RK. THey opened relatively easily and we never broke one. On the current Montana, we've not broken one but they are harder than heck to open. Or were. With the o-rings they open easily but still keep the doors tightly latched in place. I think is one were to realign the latches, it would also solve the problem.

hookman · 07-26-2007, 02:22 PM

What size O ring do you use and how is it installed. Maybe someone could post a picture. ThANKS

sreigle · 07-27-2007, 05:44 AM

I'm sorry I don't know the size. I just bought some that looked thick enough to allow enough movement but thin enough not to keep the door from being close to the frame when closed. And a hole big enough for the screw to go through.

If I took a picture I don't think it would be clear enough to show how it works. Put the screws through the holes in the plastic latch. Put the o-rings (1 each) on the screws on the backside of the latch so the o-rings will be between the plastic latch and the closet door frame. Then screw it into the frame. I hope this helps a little.

jimc · 07-27-2007, 10:43 AM

The solution I tried worked perfectly, including a very rough trip to Alaska last year. Remove the plastic locks/catches and install a 4" strip of Velcro on the door frame and on the sliding door. No more problem.

hookman · 07-27-2007, 02:49 PM

Thanks Steve it is just put between the latch and the frame, big enough just to fit over the screw

sreigle · 07-27-2007, 06:09 PM

Don, yes. I don't think there's a particular size and nothing else will work. I didn't even have the screws with me so had to guess at which size is best.

Jimc, interesting solution. I like your idea. Four inches of velcro per door and that was enough to hold it? Good tip. Thanks.

mlh · 07-28-2007, 03:18 AM

I think the o-rings are no. 80s. Get one with 1/8 inch wall tgickness, 1/2 inch OD. Try it. It WILL WORK. I have a CNC machine shop, and spent almost a full day making some out of nylon. They were spring loaded, the o-ring trick works just as good. TRY IT
Lynwood

tbhd · 07-28-2007, 08:25 AM

We purchased from our local dealer (A&S in Auburn Hills, Mi) the latches that are used on the Big Sky. No more problems---really easy. I think we paid $4.95 a set. I still reverse the doors though when we are not traveling.

JH Sechelt · 07-28-2007, 11:40 AM

Just don't tighten the screws too much..... You want the latches to be able to flex back and forth.
just tighten them enough to put a little (Tiny Bit) of pressure on the O-rings.
Works good.

J&D

Verle and Sue · 07-29-2007, 04:41 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by tbhd

We purchased from our local dealer (A&S in Auburn Hills, Mi) the latches that are used on the Big Sky. No more problems---really easy. I think we paid $4.95 a set. I still reverse the doors though when we are not traveling.

Unfortunately, the Big Sky no longer uses the "pin type" closet latch, we were disappointed to find out and our dealer didn't seem to know how to get us the other ones or even knew what we were talking about. Also, somebody was complaining that those pin types don't stay latched on the road???? Where did you get your set? We'd sure like to change ours out. Sue and Verle C

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