Any tricks for keeping kitchen drawers closed when towing?

[Crambo]

Our kitchen drawers will slide open when towing. Not a big deal but figure it couldn't be good for the rollers and rails to be sliding like that. Any tricks from the RV pros?

[BubbaChris]

We had one get flakey on us, it was the catch underneath in the middle. The part mounted on the cabinet frame needed to be eased out maybe 1/16" and that resolved the problem.

[Timtation]

What comes to mind first is duct tape but the method we really use is velcro. I have a roll of double sided tape and cut lengths to hold door handles. We have not had problemsome with drawers opening.

[MarkTwain]

SoundGuy wrote:

Crambo wrote:
Our kitchen drawers will slide open when towing. Not a big deal but figure it couldn't be good for the rollers and rails to be sliding like that. Any tricks from the RV pros?

As I posted on another recent discussion on this same subject ...

"No need to mod drawers or cabinet doors at all, just use shock cord as I did (4 pics) to keep adjacent doors and drawers closed during travel. Works like a charm." :B

X2 I use bungee cords on all the drawers. Hook them from top to bottom or side to side , knob to knob. Never had a problem after I started using bungees.

[Rollnhome]

myredracer wrote:
Check to make sure the roller catches are properly aligned and not damaged and that the drawer slides are also aligned right. Saw one TT where the two parts of the roller catch on a cabinet door were about an inch apart and the drawer slides were so far out on a drawer that the roller catch would not engage. Sometimes the screws can pull out. The OEM double roller catches are just not very strong.

If the roller catches are okay, you can add a 2nd one. They should look like in the photo. The metal is very thin and easily damaged. You can replace the standard OEM roller catches with a heavy duty one from RV Designer, JR products or Southco (about $10 each). They come in 3, 5 &10 lb ratings. I'd forget about the magnetic catches - tried them and were worse than the roller catches.

Knape & Vogt has drawer slides specifically for RVs that snap shut and require a tug to pull open. K&N 8400 RV series drawer slides I put them in 2 drawers I installed beside the bed. They are very nice - about $20 a drawer.

If you need to adjust the existing catches or install new ones, use green painters tape to make alignment marks on. More than likely they are not aligned properly or are damaged.

Our TT has a rear kitchen that has a bank of drawers (fore/aft direction) and we've had a drawer open a few times over 2 years and same with large drawers in bottom of our wardrobe in the slide (left/right direction). I've gotta replace the cheap OEM catches with new HD catches one day.

I would check the drawer latches. I have had these on 5 RVs I can recall and never had a problem unless one broke. I always try and carry a couple extra with me. The thought of bungy cords strapped all over the RV and the hassle of using and storing them seems ugly and a lot of work. Put a proper latch and it will look better and be a lot less work.
My $.02

[SoundGuy]

Crambo wrote:
Our kitchen drawers will slide open when towing. Not a big deal but figure it couldn't be good for the rollers and rails to be sliding like that. Any tricks from the RV pros?

As I posted on another recent discussion on this same subject ...

"No need to mod drawers or cabinet doors at all, just use shock cord as I did (4 pics) to keep adjacent doors and drawers closed during travel. Works like a charm." :B

[1971duster340]

There are RV Designer drawer pull opens and bull dog cabinet door latches thru out our camper. Shifting weight or force would open the doors, so I added another or 2 where there was only one and no surprises yet. You can get deals on bulk purchases...10+. Rubber wristbands are added insurance when there are door knobs near ea. other. Weight or avoidance driving will defeat any latch.

[GrandpaKip]

Terryallan wrote:

Crambo wrote:
Our kitchen drawers will slide open when towing. Not a big deal but figure it couldn't be good for the rollers and rails to be sliding like that. Any tricks from the RV pros?

I'm thinkin something wrong with your trailer. We have been camping and towing for 30 years. We have yet to have a drawer or cabinet door open. The campers we have had are designed to keep things closed. Like a rail the drawer drops behind when closed. You actually have to pick up on the drawers to open them, can't just pull them open. That is how it should be.

Doors have latches that catch when they close. Not easily opened. Or maybe y'all just aren't getting them closed all the way.

That's the way it should be, but on our last 2, it isn't. I added friction catches to all drawers.

[rbpru]

Our drawers stay closed even on the rough roads, however our cabinet doors pop open occationally and out come the dishes or pot and pans.

I have not taken the time to see how the latches are adjusted, we just wrap a loop of cord around them. It will work till we get home.

[myredracer]

Check to make sure the roller catches are properly aligned and not damaged and that the drawer slides are also aligned right. Saw one TT where the two parts of the roller catch on a cabinet door were about an inch apart and the drawer slides were so far out on a drawer that the roller catch would not engage. Sometimes the screws can pull out. The OEM double roller catches are just not very strong.

If the roller catches are okay, you can add a 2nd one. They should look like in the photo. The metal is very thin and easily damaged. You can replace the standard OEM roller catches with a heavy duty one from RV Designer, JR products or Southco (about $10 each). They come in 3, 5 &10 lb ratings. I'd forget about the magnetic catches - tried them and were worse than the roller catches.

Knape & Vogt has drawer slides specifically for RVs that snap shut and require a tug to pull open. K&N 8400 RV series drawer slides I put them in 2 drawers I installed beside the bed. They are very nice - about $20 a drawer.

If you need to adjust the existing catches or install new ones, use green painters tape to make alignment marks on. More than likely they are not aligned properly or are damaged.

Our TT has a rear kitchen that has a bank of drawers (fore/aft direction) and we've had a drawer open a few times over 2 years and same with large drawers in bottom of our wardrobe in the slide (left/right direction). I've gotta replace the cheap OEM catches with new HD catches one day.

[westend]

If you have minimal woodworking skills and a small Forstner bit w/drill, you can epoxy a neodymium magnet disc into the back of the drawer and a second disc magnet into the cabinet frame. When the drawer is closed the two magnets hold it closed. Pulling the drawer knob/pull separates the two magnets.

An improvement on this is hiding the discs with a piece of glued on veneer or wood filler. The magnetic force will still hold the drawer shut.

I align the holes for the magnets by drilling one hole and using a Dowel center to mark the second. A 3/8"W X 1/8" neodymium disc magnet is usually enough to hold considerable weight.

[Crambo]

Thanks for the replies. I will look into some bungees or latches.

[RCMAN46]

Try balance beads in the trailer tires.

[Johno02]

Have never had one of these open while traveling. Standard equipment on our rig.

Cabinet and drawer latch

[Passin_Thru]

Our rolling pantry shelf will knock the door open so we used velcro strap to hold it in place. Now if I could just remember to unhook it before I get a strained back.