cabinet latches & external water tap replacement/fix

[PeterV]

Just did a 3-week road trip, the camper was amazing! A couple of things I need to fix soon, and wanted people's feedback on:

1) The main cabinet door (under the sink) latch stopped working altogether. Pressing it in, it pops back out within a few seconds, especially when warm out. Is there a better latch I can replace it with? What have people done? I know the newer campers use a different design altogether, which I don't think I can easily switch to (mine is circa 2008, the "button" kind). Alternatively where do I purchase the exact same replacement?

2) The water tap on the outside has gotten harder and harder to turn/operate. When it's hot out (like 90 degrees), it's nearly impossible to turn, the plastic bends/feels like it's about to break. Is there a recommended replacement that is better/easier to operate? Pic included:

 

[Smokecreek1]

For under the sink cabinet-I put a latch on the outside when mine started to open up all the time-you know one of those cheap ones with a hook and eye bolt-also put them on all the drawers too-got tired of using "duck" tape to keep everything closed-again I'm lazy so my cheap latches saved me the problem of buying and replacing the right ones'-also much faster. I tried to use one of the good type of sliding bolts on it but they were not level enough! Hey I've had my water tap/Granby for almost seven years and it is always tight-just don't forget to open it up when you come back from your first winter trip or everything freezes up !

Smoke

 

[craig333]

I do my latches like Smoke. My water tap works smoothly. They're only a couple bucks at an RV place. May be easiest to just replace it with a new one.

 

[PeterV]

I found out someone makes aluminum flanges that do not break/fail as easily as the plastic ones, which apparently deteriorate in the sun and heat. Just ordered one of these together with a brass 1/8" thread valve (which has to be bought separately), in the interest of never having to do this again:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/171070722860
I actually use this valve a lot, to fill up water bottles etc. while out on trips - I'd say I use it more than the inside tap! So having something that works well outside is quite important.

On the latch front, I really want to keep the clean look.... I wonder which one of these works better than the "bulldog" one and is a direct replacement, anyone has experience with any of these??
http://www.dyersonline.com/hardware/cabinet-drawer/catches.html

 

[PeterV]

Aaaand replying to myself, but after reading a bunch of reviews on RV forums, these seem well regarded, so I just ordered from amazon for $5:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006I0NSK/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Ted]

Peter,

Our camper is from the era of the sliding cabinet doors. I made my own doors a few years back and used latches similar to what you just ordered. They have worked well for me.

We have had to replace the little plastic drain several times. I finally ordered a few online and just replace as necessary. It probably wouldn't be a bad idea to upgrade to a metal one though. BTW, you say the little plastic handle feels like it will break when they drain gets hard to turn. It will. So do replace it soon.

 

[Lighthawk]

Thanks for the info, Peter. I just ordered the latches too, after griping about using a shoe lace to tie the doors & drawers together

We also use the back water drain quite a bit also, and the nylon petcock does not give much confidence. I checked out the flange (only) that you found on Ebay. What type of drain valve did you go with? Does it have a nipple or something to direct the water?

 

[PeterV]

I ended up ordering this valve: http://www.ebay.com/itm/170280002494?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

Because I wanted something to direct the water down for easily filling water bottles etc. Hope I ordered the right thing, I guess the 1/8" NPT thread is the important part, there are a lot of options when you search around

I'm excited, this should be A LOT better than the cheap plastic that is so annoying to use!

 

[1stGen]

We're in the process of building our own cabinets in our Grandby Shell. We went a little overboard with the cabinet latches. Here's what we ended up with:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002I01SOW/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

These are for the little flip down doors we're doing above the first step.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002HZW1PS/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And these are for the big cabinet doors we've got going in.

 

[billharr]

I also had my drain valve break. Did not like the valve or the location. I put in a 90 degree elbow and a nylon tube to the back and installed a hose bib valve. Works great for when I need water out side and I hook a hose to it when I drain the tank at home so I go not get water everywhere.

 

[leadsled9]

I found out someone makes aluminum flanges that do not break/fail as easily as the plastic ones, which apparently deteriorate in the sun and heat. Just ordered one of these together with a brass 1/8" thread valve (which has to be bought separately), in the interest of never having to do this again:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/171070722860

Thanks for the links PeterV. I just ordered the flange and valve. What a great find.

 

[craig333]

Mine still works fine (still on the original too) but I ordered one up anyway. Only a matter of time before I need it.

 

[eridenour]

For cabinet doors the previous owner of my Hawk installed these cam locks latches which are actually made for sash windows:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/First-Watch-Security-Cam-Action-Polished-Brass-Clamp-Tight-Sash-Lock-1403/202799805#.Ukz_KIZJ6s0

they work great so now I'm adding them to the drawers. You need to add a wood shim to the cabinet for the catch to grab but they keep doors shut.