Upgrade screen door latch?

[Super_Dave]

Has anyone found an upgrade to the stock screen door latch? The spring in my old latch crumbled this weekend. I could put another piece of junk latch on there again and wait for it to happen again but thought I'd check to see if anyone has found a metal latch assembly or at least a little more HD built.

[Super_Dave]

On my door, it was the return spring that broke. I don't understand why it would be so hard to beef up the spring. Unless you guys start reporting something different, it doesn't appear to have anything to do with being made out of plastic.

[Paradox123]

After breaking several of the plastic latches, I used double face tape to attach two Lowes magnets--one to the outer door and one to the screen door. Works great. I still use one of the plastic latches to secure the screen door to the door frame. If I'd made a You Tube, I would have been rich and famous by now!

[billyg]

Hi all, My door latch striker broke after our third trip with our new tc.Incorrectly installed from the getgo. I asked the builder to please send me another. After a couple of weeks and a follow up call one arrived. It I belive came off another camper and was broken. I sent it back with a note "NO THANKS" and got two new ones at no cost from the door builder. I know its a little off topic but wanted to share. GBILLY

[bobndot]

Years ago I made an addition to the OEM plastic handle that i viewed in an rv magazine.

I used one of those old 'hard to find' wire coat hangers and made two 90 degree bends at the handle. I had to drill two small holes, one in the handle and one on top of the plastic slide. As you can see, the slide is still operable in order to use the screen door in the OEM manner ( to reach the exterior door handle ). It's really nice n easy when im carrying items out of the camper.



I placed a wire nut at the top end of the wire, inside the door. Its easy to just push down on it and the door unlatches. The distance between the wire nut and the top of the slide is about 2". No need to slide the plastic partition anymore.

[rvten]

Taking a guess. But you get the magnets from a home store like Lowes or HD.

[Bedlam]

They make a rubberized magnetic strip that has adhesive on one side. This would have a lower profile and should work for this application. They are weaker magnets but the surface area can be increased to get the desired hold.

[tuna_fisher]

Super_Dave wrote:

tuna fisher wrote:
Like the youtube idea with magnets, but I have all aluminium, they don't stick. I noticed on the video there was some kind of tape under the magnets, ???

Watch it again closely. He actually cut away his door frame! I'll break a few more before resorting to that fix.

Won't be doing that!

[Super_Dave]

tuna fisher wrote:
Like the youtube idea with magnets, but I have all aluminium, they don't stick. I noticed on the video there was some kind of tape under the magnets, ???

Watch it again closely. He actually cut away his door frame! I'll break a few more before resorting to that fix.

[Iraqvet05]

My latch broke the first time we had our new trailer out. I think my 9 year old was pushing on the screen door when the latch gave way...it broke on the pivot post. My Jayco dealer offered to replace the latch under warranty but I found a new (plastic again) latch on eBay for under $10. I'd like to make a metal latch but think the plastic is made to give way before something on the door breaks.

[Bedlam]

You would glue the magnets to both doors at the contact points.

[tuna_fisher]

Like the youtube idea with magnets, but I have all aluminium, they don't stick. I noticed on the video there was some kind of tape under the magnets, ???

[AnEv942]

Thats funny-grandchildren-I dunno, got one who'll turn teenager here shortly. Dont think Ive ever so much as raised my voice to either of em-(unlike my boys growing up) even though they keep breaking my schtuff.
But as to the door-if you had a latch that stood up, more substantial, might the door itself be more subject to damage?

[Super_Dave]

wnjj, I now need something that can stand up to grand children. With the wife and I, 6 years of service. With grand kids, one weekend and failure.

[wnjj]

Super_Dave wrote:
Has anyone found an upgrade to the stock screen door latch? The spring in my old latch crumbled this weekend. I could put another piece of junk latch on there again and wait for it to happen again but thought I'd check to see if anyone has found a metal latch assembly or at least a little more HD built.

Over 6 years for plastic door hardware seems pretty decent. For the little effort it takes to replace it, why bother improving it?

Has yours failed before?