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Do you have a door in your RV that just won’t stay open? It could be the main door into your RV or a cabinet or compartment door that tries to swing close every time you open it. A reliable latch will keep the door out of your way while you’re working. This will reduce the risk of damage to the door and whatever you’re moving through the open doorway. Check out these latches as possible solutions for your RV door.
Red Hound Auto Trailer T-Style Entry Door Catch
This T-style door catch comes with one arm and one catch side. The latch is made of premium rust-resistant stainless steel. The mounting bases are 3 inches by 1.75 inches. The arm is 4 inches long.
The installation is easy with pre-drilled holes for bolting onto your RV. The stainless steel construction makes it tough and corrosion-resistant.
The mounting hardware doesn’t come with the latch. There is no space for adjustment clearance, so the door and your RV need to be perfectly aligned for this latch to work.
Hamilton Bowes 2 Pack: RV T-Style Door Holder Catch
These durable plastic T-style RV door holders are a direct replacement of OEM latches. They measure 3.5 inches. They come as a set of two.
The plastic construction makes them blend into the look of your RV, so you don’t have that tough industrial look. The direct OEM replacement means it’ll fit into the existing latch space.
Mounting hardware doesn’t come with these latches. The plastic construction makes them not as durable as other options.
JR Products Low Profile Bumper Door Holder
A low profile option is this polymer plastic bumper style door holder. It has a polymer plastic stem and rubber socket. It measures 1.5 inches tall by 1.25 inches in diameter.
The black color won’t fade in the sun, so it’ll look great for years to come. The mounting screws are included, which makes installation easy.
You may find the rubber and plastic hard to separate once you open and latch the door. The fit is very tight. It also needs to be perfectly aligned straight on or it’ll struggle to work.
Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.
An RV door latch comes in two parts to hold the door open. One attaches to the front of the door while the other connects to the side of the RV or a wall. The piece on the door includes a rod that hooks into the piece on the wall. Once connected, the door will remain open until the latch is detached. These are the most common type of RV door holders and are simple to install.
An RV door bumper is inserted beneath the door to hold it open at the desired position. This can be spring-loaded or made out of rubber. They prevent the door from slamming or rubbing against the side or walls of the recreation vehicle. These tend to be much cheaper, as they are easier to design and don’t last quite as long.
JR Products was established in 1970 by John Roba. The company began in the basement of the Roba family, selling just six products. Today, it manufactures more than 1,000 premium pieces of equipment for RV owners. These include replacement parts and hardware and accessories. One of its best RV door holders is the JR Products Low Profile Bumper Door Holder.
The Red Hound Auto company manufactures accessories and equipment for more than just RVs. You’ll find a number of items fit for homes, auto, beauty supplies, and just about anything you can imagine. Its main focus is creating high-quality accessories for RVers and car enthusiasts, with one of its door holders being the Red Hound Auto Trailer T-Style Entry Door Catch.
You should consider an RV door holder that is durable and is long-lasting. Cheap plastic ones won’t do the trick if you constantly use the front door. If you are looking at a latch system, we recommend ones developed out of stainless steel or chrome. Stainless steel is heavier and more reliable. It is finished with a coating that won’t rust in the weather. Chrome tends to be lighter and is also rust-resistant.
Choosing the door holder design is mainly based on preference. Latches are handy to have around but take a few seconds to hook up. You can’t just open the door and let it fall into place. You have to physically connect the latch in order for the door to remain open. It’s not difficult but adds an extra step. Bumpers catch the door and hold it in place but may not necessarily last as long due to their rubber design.
More on RVing & Trailering
This high-quality latch based RV door holder ensures your door stays in place when you need it to. The T-style door catch comes with one arm and one catch side. The latch is made of premium rust-resistant stainless steel. It comes with a mounting base that measures 3 inches by 1.75 inches and includes a 4-inch arm.
One of the best benefits of this latch door holder is you can install it by yourself. The installation is easy, as the kit comes with pre-drilled holes for bolting onto your RV. Plus, its stainless steel construction makes it tough and corrosion-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about it rusting in the weather.
You may encounter one problem with this latch when installing it yourself and you will need some tools to make the job a bit easier. There is no space for adjustment clearance, so the door and your RV needs to be perfectly aligned for this latch to work. Plus, the mounting hardware is not included.
These two RV door catchers fit firmly and easily on your door. The set includes durable plastic T-style RV door holders that are a direct replacement of OEM latches, so there’s no need to worry about extra screw holes or drilling into your door. They’ll fit into the existing latch space without a problem.
Each measures 3.5 inches long. You won’t even notice they latches are on the door, as they blend right in. Their plastic construction matches the look of your RV, so you don’t have that tough industrial look. They are also waterproof and won’t corrode in the rain.
There are a few things to make note of when it comes to these latches. First, the mounting hardware is not included with these latches, so you will have to buy your own. Also, their plastic construction makes them not as durable as other options. The kit does not come with extra screws.
If you’re after a more simplistic look and style for your RV, then this JR Products Low Profile Bumper Door Holder is designed for you. This low profile bumper is built out of a polymer plastic for extra durability. It has a polymer plastic stem and rubber socket. It measures 1.5 inches tall by 1.5 inches in diameter.
It’s compact and sits just out of sight so you won’t notice it at all. Plus, its black color won’t fade in the sun, weather, or cold, so it’ll look great for years to come. You also get the complete mounting kit with included screws to install it more easily and quickly. The bumper fits firmly into the holder and won’t scratch or dent your RV.
You will notice a few downsides with this particular bumper, however. You may find that the rubber and plastic is difficult to separate once you open and latch the door to the motorhome, as the fit is very tight and secure. You will also need a tape measure, as the components need to be perfectly aligned or it’ll struggle to work.
A: The answer depends on your personal preference. If you want to keep your RV looking like new and true to the original, then you want the OEM replacement. Sometimes buying aftermarket is an upgrade to the OEM part. This can happen with latches as they tend to be made of cheaper plastic from the manufacturer. Upgrading to a higher grade plastic or metal can provide more durability.
A: You don’t have to have a spring for the latch to work. Having a spring can make the latch more secure. The spring prevents the latch from popping open in more extreme weather or when stress gets applied to the latch. If you RV in a place where the wind can get aggressive, then a spring-loaded latch can be the smarter choice.
A: Remove the old bracket and clean the area. Remove any old residue or sealant that may remain. Check that your new hardware fits and that the screw holes line up. If they line up, use them. If they don’t, you’ll need to drill new holes. Use a sealant, such as an outdoor caulk, to fill the hole and weatherize the area. Install the bracket by holding it to your RV and install the screws until the latch is secure.
The Red Hound Auto Trailer T-Style Entry Door Catch will provide you with a secure hold as well as corrosion resistance.
The Hamilton Bowes 2 Pack: RV T-Style Door Holder Catch provides an attractive and affordable direct OEM replacement.
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