Hatch magnets advice appreciated

[Sheltietreasure]

Hello Friends,
We have a class c with several basement compartments that open up and don’t stay up. The magnets we bought on eBay don’t hold. The doors fall back down.

Anyone have recommendations? Links appreciated!

Also, the ones we bought can be screwed on or peeled and stuck. Screwing requires making holes in the doors and body. But, do the peel and stick ones fall off eventually?

Thanks all!

[Grumpy]

Why not add storage door latches since they are used on many brands.

https://www.ebay.com/p/1654944267?ii...AaAjwnEALw_wcB

[Sheltietreasure]

Thanks Grumpy. That is probably the best idea. We wanted something we could use one handed, while the other hand held the item for storage, but if none of the magnets work, the clips make a lot of sense.

The link helped me to quickly understand your suggestion. Thanks!

[K9Nardu]

It was relatively easy to do. I purchased the magnets off Amazon (item recommended by this forum), and mounted them with stainless screws (silicone in the holes first). Drilling the compartment door was easy as I mounted the magnet on the metal trim, however, I was a bit nervous drilling the other magnet mounting holes as they were in the fiberglass side wall of the RV above the compartment door. However, I simply ran the drill in reverse at first while drilling through the gel coat base (a tip a friend showed me so as not to cause any gel coat chipping), then finished drilling in forward after penetrating the gel coat base. After installing them, I ran a clear bead of silicone around the magnet that was mounted on the sidewall just to be safe. Easy peasey! A shallow depth hole is all that is needed to accommodate your screw length. These magnets are VERY STRONG, and one will hold open a large compartment door very easily.


You will not be disappointed with these magnets, they are very very strong and UV resistant.

Here is the Amazon link for the magnets:

Check this out at Amazon.com
#1 Selling/Rated - Magnetic Baggage Door Catch - Holder - Clip - Latch for RV, Trailer, Camper, Motor Home, Cargo Trailer, Boat Compartments - Replaces Plastic Spring Clips (Black 2-Pair) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01INZ7XV2..._MMLaFbYYY1X0E

[K9Nardu]

Here are a couple pics. If they post sideways, sorry but I can't

figure out how to correct that. Lol

[Studiovette]

Originally Posted by K9Nardu

It was relatively easy to do. I purchased the magnets off Amazon (item recommended by this forum), and mounted them with stainless screws (silicone in the holes first). Drilling the compartment door was easy as I mounted the magnet on the metal trim, however, I was a bit nervous drilling the other magnet mounting holes as they were in the fiberglass side wall of the RV above the compartment door. However, I simply ran the drill in reverse at first while drilling through the gel coat base (a tip a friend showed me so as not to cause any gel coat chipping), then finished drilling in forward after penetrating the gel coat base. After installing them, I ran a clear bead of silicone around the magnet that was mounted on the sidewall just to be safe. Easy peasey! A shallow depth hole is all that is needed to accommodate your screw length. These magnets are VERY STRONG, and one will hold open a large compartment door very easily.


You will not be disappointed with these magnets, they are very very strong and UV resistant.

Here is the Amazon link for the magnets:

Check this out at Amazon.com
#1 Selling/Rated - Magnetic Baggage Door Catch - Holder - Clip - Latch for RV, Trailer, Camper, Motor Home, Cargo Trailer, Boat Compartments - Replaces Plastic Spring Clips (Black 2-Pair) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01INZ7XV2..._MMLaFbYYY1X0E

I used the same ones!! They are awesome. I did not drill. Just used 3m automotive double sided tape.

[tom463219]

I installed stainless steel latches with 3M Super Strength Automotive Molding Tape. They look good, they are strong and they never fall off.


https://www.recpro.com/rv-baggage-do...ainless-steel/

[GeorgiaRV]

I did exactly the same as K9Nardu. One of the best modifications made. Been in place now for about 2 years now.

[Camper_bob]

The key is the double-sided tape. If you get the real 3M high bond stuff, you should be good to go without screws. I've been running mine for over a year now? Maybe longer? With no problems, and no screws. One of the problems is that some of these latches come with off-brand or counterfeit 3M tape. Just make sure you have the REAL stuff, and you should be good.

The other key IMO is surface prep. You want to make sure you have as clean a surface as you can get before you apply the tape. I used those little individually packed alcohol wipes (because I have boxes of them all over the place) and like I said, no problems.

Installation is SUPER easy. Eyeball where you want your latches, test for fitment/operation, and do your surface prep. Then apply the tape to one side of the latch and tape that same latch to the door. Then magnet the other side of the latch against the one you just attached, apply the tape (leaving the last side covered for now), then open the door all the way up for one last fitment check. Then remove the last little piece of tape cover, and press the whole works up against the side of the coach. You're pressing BOTH sides of the latch against the door AND the side of the coach at this point. Hold it there for a minute or so, then I like to release the magnet and press a bit longer on each side of the latch to make sure I have good adhesion.

For the hatches where I can't use magnetic latches, I use Hatch Lift brand kits. You could probably source the individual parts cheaper than buying a kit from Hatch-lift, but IMO, it's worth it to have everything you need all in one box that you know will fit (assuming you did your part correctly with the measurements).

[Sheltietreasure]

Thanks everyone. Very kind of you to provide such detailed help! The good magnet products are just too pricey right now given all the other mods we have made recently. We ordered the plastic clip kind for now. 12 for 13$ on eBay. That tape is a marvel, isn’t it. We’ve used it for many things.

If the clips don’t hold up for the long haul, we may decide to spring for the magnets.

Really appreciate all the help. You guys rock!

Thank you, and thank you for wearing a mask...it really makes my immuno compromised soul mate, and I feel so much better about getting out. I know they are a pain, but we really appreciate your helping us with that!

[pconroy]

I posted that I used some dime sized neodymium magnets from Home Depot (<$10 for a big pack). I painted them to match the exterior then hot glued them to the sides.


On the doors, I used dime sized steel washers (< $1.00) also hot glued.


I don't care if they fall off after a season.

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by pconroy

I posted that I used some dime sized neodymium magnets from Home Depot (<$10 for a big pack). I painted them to match the exterior then hot glued them to the sides.


On the doors, I used dime sized steel washers (< $1.00) also hot glued.


I don't care if they fall off after a season.

I was wondering how long hot glue would last. Doesn't seem to last very long at all on the things I've tried to use it on...

[pconroy]

Originally Posted by Camper_bob

I was wondering how long hot glue would last. Doesn't seem to last very long at all on the things I've tried to use it on...

We'll see.
I did upgrade to a decent brand of glue stick awhile back - Gorilla Glue.
It's held up better that the sticks that came with the gun.

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by pconroy

We'll see.
I did upgrade to a decent brand of glue stick awhile back - Gorilla Glue.
It's held up better that the sticks that came with the gun.

I didn't know Gorilla Glue made sticks. Or maybe I did and didn't really pay any mind... I might have to grab a pack of those next time I see them.

Elmer's school glue might be equal or better than the stuff that comes with the gun...

[pconroy]

Originally Posted by Camper_bob

Elmer's school glue might be equal or better than the stuff that comes with the gun...

Oh yeah - those sticks that come with the gun are about as good at holding as old scotch tape. That's wet. And covered with dog hair.



I bought a decent Stanley glue gun years ago and the stanley sticks were OK. When they were used up, I saw the GG branded ones. They've been good. I've used them for a lot of projects.

[pconroy]

Originally Posted by pconroy

We'll see.
I did upgrade to a decent brand of glue stick awhile back - Gorilla Glue.
It's held up better that the sticks that came with the gun.

Update - failure.


The Gorilla Glue hasn't held up since this post. Just about all magnets have failed to stay attached.


Back to the drawing board!

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by pconroy

Update - failure.


The Gorilla Glue hasn't held up since this post. Just about all magnets have failed to stay attached.


Back to the drawing board!

Good to know. I've been keeping my eye out for those the few times we've gone to a store lately, and I haven't seen them.

Go with the genuine 3M VHB double-sided tape. It hasn't let me down (pun intended)