Drawer lock install

SoundGuy wrote:

Our previous TrailCruiser hybrid had notched drawers that required a "slight" lift to open them and were a constant source of annoyance. :M The drawers in our current TT ride on full extension metal glides but I discovered the hard way they will inadvertently slide open when traveling over rough roads. :E

As you say, to each his own. I personally don't find the few seconds it takes to install 4 shock cords all that disruptive to my preparation before pulling out and I'm certainly much more likely to see that they're in place than locks I may have forgotten to close. :R

OK. :) Personally, I've never considered the slight lift required as a source of annoyance, but that's the only type of drawers we've ever used in 25+ years of RVing, so we are of course used to it. And in that 25 years, I've never had a single one "inadvertently" slide open while traveling. They are also easily accessed "while" traveling down the road, without having to remove shock cords or unlock locks, but of course that wouldn't be necessary in a trailer. I never said that the bungee cords were disruptive, but they ARE another thing to remember. I am normally loading, not just the RV, but either 3 jet skis or 4 ATVs and all of their accompanying equipment, so as I said, I have plenty to do as it is. :C

This is the drawer catch we have on our Winnebago:



If DW accidentally pushes in the locking tab so the drawer won't close all the way, I can use my key to pop it back open.

Rbertalotto wrote:
Yup, my last camper had the simple draw cut as described above. Simple and it ALWAYS worked.

This camper uses these spring things that don't always work.....that's why I installed the locks.

My cabinet doors and drawers have this same kind of latch but on our last trip, when we arrived home I found the cabinet over the kitchen sink open and ALL of the new Corelle Dinnerware scattered across the floor. Nothing was broken(thumbs up to Corelle). These latches don't always hold. Just glad none of the glassware fell out.

4x4van wrote:
??? I've never considered a slight "lift" to open a drawer as a PITA, but to each his own.

Our previous TrailCruiser hybrid had notched drawers that required a "slight" lift to open them and were a constant source of annoyance. :M The drawers in our current TT ride on full extension metal glides but I discovered the hard way they will inadvertently slide open when traveling over rough roads. :E

Installing shock cords or "locking" every drawer before travel seems like a PITA to me, but again; to each his own. I have enough other tasks to remember before pulling out.

As you say, to each his own. :) I personally don't find the few seconds it takes to install 4 shock cords all that disruptive to my preparation before pulling out and I'm certainly much more likely to see that they're in place than locks I may have forgotten to close. :R

For those folks wanting an easy and inexpensive way to keep drawers and cabinet doors closed, I'll share a method I discovered a few years ago, passed along to me by a woodworker bud.

Buy these Neodymium magnets. The way I install them is to drill a hole the size of the magnets and epoxy them in place. Two magnets facing each other (remember to observe polarity!) are very strong, easily hold a cabinet door shut. If you have a super-heavy drawer, you may need a pair on each side of the drawer front. If you don't like seeing them when the door or drawer is open, drill just a bit deeper and apply wood filler or veneer over the magnet, it barely effects the holding power.

I've started using these magnets for a few different applications. They work great, also, for adding a wood panel onto a metal case, for instance. The N52 magnets are more attractive but for small stuff, lesser grades of neodymium will work too.

SoundGuy wrote:

4x4van wrote:
I'm always surprised when I see posts about RV drawers coming open. All of my drawers have a "lip", or actually a "slot" in the bottom of each side, so that they "drop" into position when closed; they must be lifted a bit to pull open.

Yeah, and a real PITA to deal with when actually using the drawer(s). :M Our trailer drawers run on full extension metal slides that glide smoothly in & out so I'm quite happy to use shock cord to prevent these drawers and cabinet doors from inadvertently opening during travel, no modifications required ... the best of both worlds. :B

??? I've never considered a slight "lift" to open a drawer as a PITA, but to each his own. My drawers ride smoothly as well, on a single full extension metal slide mounted underneath with the matching piece attached at the rear of the drawer, so the "lift" can still occur. Installing shock cords or "locking" every drawer before travel seems like a PITA to me, but again; to each his own. I have enough other tasks to remember before pulling out.

8 years on the road full time and I have never had a cabinet door open. And All my drawers have some sort of lock mecchanisim on them where you have to lift up a little to open the drawer. Never looked at what it is all I know is it they have never opened.

Here is a plethora of options for keeping drawers and cabinets locked while in motion that are real simple to install.

I DO know that if you replace the microwave with a smaller one? IT flies clean out of that cabinet and crashes to the floor in a million pieces....on the first right hand turn you make! :B

Cabinet and drawer locks:
Child proof clips. Cheap and easy to install. Some you don't even have to drill any holes.
http://www.homedepot.com/b/Tools-Hardware-Safety-Security-Home-Safety-Child-Safety-Latches-Locks/N-5yc1vZc25f

SoundGuy wrote:
I found shock cord to be a much simpler solution. ;)

hershey wrote:
You bet, thats a lot simpler. And with the colors available, much more attractive than bailing wire. :(

Who cares? There's no one in the trailer when it's being towed. :S

SoundGuy wrote:
I found shock cord to be a much simpler solution. ;)

You bet, thats a lot simpler. And with the colors available, much more attractive than bailing wire. :(

In an old RV before changing the cheap slides to KV8400RV full extension slides, I used yard sticks through the pulls like in the OP photo. Worked very well with a drawer with carpet below, on vinyl it worked good as a loose drawer would be held by one still stowed. The KV slides were the best option.