Linking "Slam" latches ?

[Leftie Canuk]

Does anyone else dislike the paired "slam" latches on the cargo doors ? Opening mine on the 2012 3150RL requires both latches to be opened at once.
Sometimes that is not convenient, and I wondered if anyone has found a way to either link them together so when one is actuated, the other latch is released, or perhaps there is a technique for unlatching one, then the other, without the first one re-latching ?
Any ideas, or pictures if something was modified, will be greatly received.

[1retired06]

We don’t like either. No solution here. Maybe somebody does.

[Montana Man]

I'm trying to think of how to open them sideways instead of upward. However, you could disable one latch and just use the other one.

[mtlakejim]

Yep this has been brought up before. Just another indication that Keystone engineers don't actually use the products they design. If they actually had to hook onto them, tow them to a location, setup and live in them for a couple weeks, then tow them back maybe just maybe we would see some real improvements. Either that or actually bring in owners or at the very least have management talk to owners (NOT the complaint department or some stupid survey) then maybe......

[MARK A]

The stock latches don't bother me I guess.. for the first year I was too busy catching things that were falling off the trailer to worry about the latches, now I'm used to them LOL

[Skw774]

it's not that big of a deal,you just have to open the door before you have your hands full or be ready to set down what you are carrying. now the trick would be to lock the catch open when you want to so only one works but be able to put it back when towing

[Dave W]

I have sworn at this minor inconvenience on a regular basis since the very first trip'



While I haven't thought out a fix, a bar between the exterior handles and screwed/bolted in place at the handles might work. Could be made out of wood, metal or plastic. Not sure how it would look but that would be up to your DIY abilitie.


Hmmm no ya got me thinking ......

[rohrmann]

Please don't give Keystone or Montana any ideas, or they will screw up getting into the pass through compartment by creating something that you will need your phone so you will have to use the inCommand to get the doors open. I'm sure most know what the KISS principle is, but all these RV manufacturers seem to want rigs so complicated that they will never leave the dealers repair shops.

[JABURKHOLDER]

Let's see...two hands, two handles, works for me.

The problem only really occurs if you have a broken arm, severe arthritis in one hand or maybe an amputee.

Dave W is on the right track except don't make it permanent. Two large, strong clamps attached to a metal bar then clamped onto the handles. Remove it when you don't need it. No screw holes.
If your basement door is held open by gas struts, no problem. If its held open by magnets, welllllll, I don't have an answer.

[Montana Man]

If two latches are good then how about three?

[scottz]

Originally Posted by JABURKHOLDER

Let's see...two hands, two handles, works for me.

The problem only really occurs if you have a broken arm, severe arthritis in one hand or maybe an amputee.

Dave W is on the right track except don't make it permanent. Two large, strong clamps attached to a metal bar then clamped onto the handles. Remove it when you don't need it. No screw holes.
If your basement door is held open by gas struts, no problem. If its held open by magnets, welllllll, I don't have an answer.

Yes two latches, but about half the time only one hand because I'm carrying something. Been thinking about this for awhile; no answer yet.

[jetskier]

I have an idea after tearing one apart last night. It would require a little bit of fab, but doable. The only door that will have a issue with a link bar is the door at the convenience area. The partition will need to be notched.

[Leftie Canuk]

Jetskier:
Any chance you could post some pics of the disassembled latch mechanism, for those of us with thoughts of "there has to be a better way" ?

[WeBeFulltime]

We full-timed for 8 years in 2 different Montanas with these latches and never had a problem or even gave it a thought. I prefer them.

[mtlakejim]

Originally Posted by JABURKHOLDER

Let's see...two hands, two handles, works for me.

The problem only really occurs if you have a broken arm, severe arthritis in one hand or maybe an amputee.

Dave W is on the right track except don't make it permanent. Two large, strong clamps attached to a metal bar then clamped onto the handles. Remove it when you don't need it. No screw holes.
If your basement door is held open by gas struts, no problem. If its held open by magnets, welllllll, I don't have an answer.

Weeellllllll if you have one hand full of something to put inside the compartment then it would be mighty nice if you could open the compartment with just ONE hand as opposed to having to drop what you are carrying to open the hatch. That might not sound like a big deal to you but after a while it is more than just a bit annoying to some of us...….

IF you like it the way it is then don't worry about it......

[beeje]

Simply close the door but do not let it latch. leave it ajar

[jetskier]

Originally Posted by Leftie Canuk

Jetskier:
Any chance you could post some pics of the disassembled latch mechanism, for those of us with thoughts of "there has to be a better way" ?

Here's a link to the mfr that's stamped on the back of the latch:

http://www.rvlocksandmore.com/LocksK...hind-Extrusion

One thought I had was installing a plastic knob with a threaded shank and install it in the latch to keep it retracted. It would be simple and you could install it on all the latches or one per pair. Cheap and easy too.


Something like this:


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HF1CPC1..._XZxkFb54PJ378


Here's what they put on my 2019. Other years could be different.

[scottz]

Originally Posted by mtlakejim

Weeellllllll if you have one hand full of something to put inside the compartment then it would be mighty nice if you could open the compartment with just ONE hand as opposed to having to drop what you are carrying to open the hatch. That might not sound like a big deal to you but after a while it is more than just a bit annoying to some of us...….

IF you like it the way it is then don't worry about it......

Right; even my cheap truck tool box has the two latches connected so it can be opened by pulling either of them.

[beeje]

Originally Posted by Dave W

I have sworn at this minor inconvenience on a regular basis since the very first trip'



While I haven't thought out a fix, a bar between the exterior handles and screwed/bolted in place at the handles might work. Could be made out of wood, metal or plastic. Not sure how it would look but that would be up to your DIY abilitie.


Hmmm no ya got me thinking ......

OK, I volunteer to be the Guinee pig here. Only thing I can think of is what you suggested. A bar between the 2 latches. Off to lowes/depot I go. I will report back with pics if can get R done.

[Dave W]

Originally Posted by beeje

OK, I volunteer to be the Guinee pig here. Only thing I can think of is what you suggested. A bar between the 2 latches. Off to lowes/depot I go. I will report back with pics if can get R done.

Please! Take a couple photos of your project