17 replies to this topic

[Bigfoot]

more than 2 years later, you've likely got it figured...

how about pieces of aluminum, pop riveted on to the outer latch, sloping in to very close to the side of the camper ?

then you can really get into plowing Alders

Still a problem. I've had to remove branches and bend the center tab back a few times. If I were handy at fabricating parts then I could come up with a better latch design. I'd probably use a strap attached to the top that connects to a latch below. That would get rid of the tab and lower the reach height which is too high. 

[NivekD]

How bout a low profile butterfly latch like THIS.

[Bigfoot]

How bout a low profile butterfly latch like THIS.

 

I can't tell if those would work although it looks like the holes are different than the existing hardware. I don't fancy drilling into the camper and patching the existing holes.

 

Probably the easiest approach would be a simple cover that is held on with a pin through the latch tab. The tab already has a hole for a lock or pin. If i had a metal shop it would be easy to make something out of aluminum channel. The downside is another step (times 4) added to raising and lowering the top. 

[klahanie]

BF, on your OP pic looks like the worst danger might be from the large gap below the roof edge. Took a look at mine, quick idea, some 1/2" angle  angle might help some ...??

 

 

had some plastic so could prob use the existing screws or perhaps longer if using AL angle.

 

 

 

 

[Bigfoot]

BF, on your OP pic looks like the worst danger might be from the large gap below the roof edge. Took a look at mine, quick idea, some 1/2" angle  angle might help some ...??

 

 

had some plastic so could prob use the existing screws or perhaps longer if using AL angle.

 

The gap is definitely prone to catch things. I also have a tab in the center that sticks out and gets bent--don't see that on yours. In fact the entire latch has a large profile. However, I'm not keen on any solution that involves drilling into the composite siding of the Hallmark. 

[kmcintyre]

​I've always wanted a longer threaded portion of the latch but the company doesn't make it.  I don't have a lot of threads left and most times, people over tighten those latches so mine's backed up quite a bit.

[Bombsight]

 

how about pieces of aluminum, pop riveted on to the outer latch, sloping in to very close to the side of the camper ?

 

Seems to be the best solution to me.

[Bigfoot]

Seems to be the best solution to me.

 

That might work on some campers, they are all different. I can't picture it on mine. Any design will either provide partial coverage or be complex, and even then it would not protect the center tab that sticks out. 

 

Nothing simple and effective comes to mind, so I'll probably just have to be alert to the problem and pay more attention when around trees. Of course, then I get distracted with what's above and forget about stumps below like happened recently when I damaged the front air dam. Oh, well.