Going on an adventure with your motorhome or caravan requires a good deal of planning. Even though you set out on a trip away from the very comforts you have in your abode, you still want to make the most of the stay in your home on wheels. Preparing your supplies of food, water, drinks, snacks, tools, and a first aid kit is one way to take the stress away.
But if you consider safety and security, there’s one additional must that you have to take care of, and that’s the secure closure of the door. Besides counting on the help of a lock, it’s best to leave it to the sturdy and durable slam latch that’s designed to provide tactile resistance.
What is a Slam Latch?
Think of it as a mechanical device created to keep the door closed, using a spring-activated mechanism. It’s also known as a push-to-close latch or as a latch with push-lock fittings. Usually, this type of latch comes with a knob or a lever to help recoil the spring, removing the pin, thus allowing the door to open. What sets this latch apart from others is this exact mechanism that keeps the doors secure without actually having to manually operate the handle.
This hands-free door closing is much more convenient than that of the traditional latches as you can literally slam shut it instead of touching the handle to close it. To open the door, you’d have to use the special key. This means this is a secure latch that bolts the door and prevents unauthorised entry.
As such, there are some benefits it offers, as opposed to the standard latches, for example. To give you an idea, the slam latch is a much more durable choice as it can withstand frequent use without suffering any damage whatsoever, and it’s all to do with the mechanism, fit for heavy-duty use.
Moreover, these latches are made from tough materials that can withstand the rigours of weather, including show resistance to corrosion. Thanks to this, you can also expect to benefit from low maintenance. The durability and strength of the materials is one reason, the other being the mechanism’s design itself as it only requires you to tighten the fasteners when the time comes, after a long and reliable use.
In some applications, like those of refrigerators and cold storage units with the presence of gaskets added between the door and panel opening, they can even reduce the noise and vibration, which is a considerable benefit. Lastly, one additional benefit is the variety of options of designs of slam latches you can find at the retailers.
Types of Slam Latch
Speaking of versatility, it’s possible to find different types of models on the market that range not only in materials (e.g. high-grade industrial stainless steel, zinc, as well as durable plastics) as well as construction but also applications they’re meant for. The following are the common options you can find:
- Paddle Latches – These are slam latches for sale that are similar to other types of surface-mounted latch designs, known for the paddle mechanism that retracts the pin from the locking part. It’s safe to say they’re two-part designs with integrated stops, perfect for self-closing doors.
- Rotary Latches – If you want a diverse latch design, this is it. Most are created as single-hole installs, so they’re easy to add to any door as long as the thickness doesn’t exceed the overall length of the latch. Here, you have two types: locking and non-locking. The locking is opened with a key, whereas non-locking, which is surface mounted, has two bits: bolt and locking.
- Slam-bolt Latches – Unlike the paddle design, these are a single-point mechanism. What this means is you won’t have to manually secure the door, but you do have to manually open it. As such, they can be operated on one side, fit for doors that are non-locking.
- Push-Button Latches – Another type of single-point mechanism design, they have a push button that retracts the safety pin and as such allows for quick access. They too facilitate the closure, and it’s all thanks to the specific shape of the curved safety pins. More of their benefits include ease of installation and suitability for panels of different thicknesses.
- Single-Point Latches – If you’re looking for latches with the simplest design, this is it. Easy to install, as well as operate, they’re non-locking, as the pin is encased in the housing of the latch.
- Multi-Point Latches – Anyone after the latch that promises a great deal of security should consider getting one of these. Although they operate basically on a similar principle as that of the single-point alternatives, the fact there are several slam bolts and not just one means they’re more complex to install and open.
