Compartment door latch

[Diamond_c]

On our way home from our last trip last fall the door to the compartment that holds the propane tank on the driver’s side of our fifth wheel came open while going down the road. Instead of fixing it over the winter I forgot about it. Last weekend while setting up at camp I noticed that the top latch on that same door was about half turned. While talking to my brother-in-law yesterday I mentioned it to him and that I was thinking of replacing the ( twist) latch with a lock. He suggested to take it apart and move the blade 90 degrees so that gravity and road vibrations would pull it closed instead of open. To which I’ve done this evening. It’ll be 8-10 weeks before we can go out again because of work obligations, to test it out and see if it works. But worth a try for the price. Does anybody else have any experiences, recommendations, or tips?

[JRscooby]

bpounds wrote:
Nothing says you can't put a lock on the propane door if you want. The propane police are not going to arrest you. It is not accepted practice, and violates rvia code, but once you pay for the rig you can do you.

If something happens, like a fire in a nearby camper, FD will turn off your propane tanks if they think a fire might spread. If they can open a latch to get to valve they will. If locked, you have whatever damage they do to get to valve.

If you think somebody will steal tanks, I would think better to secure thank to frame.

[bpounds]

Nothing says you can't put a lock on the propane door if you want. The propane police are not going to arrest you. It is not accepted practice, and violates rvia code, but once you pay for the rig you can do you.

[JRscooby]

enblethen wrote:
I think we killed the subject of not installing lock.
Another thing you could do on the latch is to bend the arm slightly to insure it is tight against the door frame restricting it's movement

Or the structure around door frame. Likely softer metal, more leverage. Easier to bend.

[enblethen]

I think we killed the subject of not installing lock.
Another thing you could do on the latch is to bend the arm slightly to insure it is tight against the door frame restricting it's movement

[Bobbo]

dave54 wrote:

Bobbo wrote:
I agree with enblethen. A propane compartment is not supposed to be lockable. That way, in case of some emergency, emergency personnel can turn off the propane tanks.

Doesn't take much effort to open a locked RV bin.

No, as long as you have the key. (Or, are willing to break it.) In the event of an emergency of any type, the emergency responders won't have the key. This is only for the propane bin, where emergency responders may need to turn off the propane VERY quickly (without breaking it).

[dave54]

Bobbo wrote:
I agree with enblethen. A propane compartment is not supposed to be lockable. That way, in case of some emergency, emergency personnel can turn off the propane tanks.

Doesn't take much effort to open a locked RV bin.

[12thgenusa]

When I first got my trailer, many of the latches were installed as you describe, and one door came open on a trip. I then re-clocked all the latches so that gravity and vibrations would not work against the latch staying locked. There have been no problems since.

[bpounds]

There are a lot of door and frame designs out there, so I don't know if this will work for you, but ...

I simply bent a slight tweak in the door stop flange of the door frame, so the latch has a bit of a cam-over point. It won't ever vibrate over that hump and become unlatched. Easy and cost $0.00.

[jkwilson]

I believe that’s the way mine are from the factory, but I’ll check when I’m outside

[Bobbo]

MrWizard wrote:
I think he just meant latched,, he asked about the lock and was correctly informed .. do not lock

I hope you are right. This is what we were responding to though.

Diamon c wrote:
....replacing the ( twist) latch with a lock.

[MrWizard]

I think he just meant latched,, he asked about the lock and was correctly informed .. do not lock

[Bobbo]

I agree with enblethen. A propane compartment is not supposed to be lockable. That way, in case of some emergency, emergency personnel can turn off the propane tanks.

[enblethen]

Litle off topic: propane compartments are not supposed to be locked.
I turned some of my locks, so the key or handle face the direction of the interior locking arm. That way you can see they are locked or secured.