Best Drawer Latches for Van Life

In this video we discuss different latch options for van or RV drawers. Do your drawers fly open when cornering or going off road? Watch the video to find out which latch is best.
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Products used in this video:
90# Magnetic Latches: amzn.to/452Y1AJ
Slam Latch: amzn.to/410d1wJ
Double Ball Tension Latch: amzn.to/410l3pj
Roller Latch: amzn.to/43jvJ42
Small Magnetic Latches: amzn.to/3KvLwnY
Push Button Latches: amzn.to/3zPftdI
3M VHB Adhesive Tape: amzn.to/3MCU5Ql
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If you're converting your own van, we hope you find our channel helpful. We've spent hundreds of hours researching and testing the best materials and processes for our van builds. We've put together a list of the materials we (and others in our van community) have used and that we can recommend so that you don't have to spend all those hours on research.
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[@ronsanderson99]

Excellent video...I had been looking for drawer latches and this was a great resource. Just bought a couple of these!

[@joyce7892]

I just purchased the bearing latches for my TT. I had reverted to bungees to prevent cupboards flying open. I appreciate the tip for mounting.

[@dralusion]

nice, ty. bought the magnet and holds very strong

[@stevehori673]

Jeff you have the best how to videos. Cabinet painting, installing windows, making drawers. Your vans are beautiful. Thanks

[@OurThrivingLife]

Thanks. Glad you’re finding our videos helpful.

[@NotaHuskywolf]

I totally love this video and this guy. Such a breath of fresh air compared to all the nonsense van build stuff on you tube. Good practical advice

[@OurThrivingLife]

Thank you!

[@StevenDavisPhoto]

Thanks for the rec. Gonna get those 90# magnets :)

[@skunkedagain]

best summary I've seen. thanks for the recommendations

[@OurThrivingLife]

Glad it was helpful!

[@_letescapetogether_]

Great video Jeff amd very informative. Finding the right latch for a constantly moving vehicle is a hard solution. I would have liked some close up B-Roll of each latch and the drawer for the viewer to refer to

[@OurThrivingLife]

Great suggestion!

[@rickbartley9255]

Jeff, this is a very practical product comparison video. I have many of the 1” hole push button latches in my 1999 coach. They look great and generally stay latched, but in heavy load and heavy use drawers and cabinets the internal latch mechanism tends to shear in two over time. In some latch orientations when they do shear, you can’t open the drawer due to gravity letting the keeper drop into the latched mode. When they break the only fix is to replace the inner half of the mechanism. As a result, I carry several spares of all the different latches used in a drawer/door repair kit, since you won’t find them in most geographies. If someone ends up with one that shears regularly, I’ve had some success adding a hidden magnet latch too to help protect the jarring load shifts from shearing the push button mechanism.

[@OurThrivingLife]

Thanks for sharing! We've have also started to add a magnet to avoid the problems you point out.

[@adventure_roger]

Electro magnets that lock when vehicle is on: I saw some high end van builder do recently, seems like a great idea

[@rickbartley9255]

I have electro-locks on the bay doors of my coach. They worked for a while, but then became unreliable. I’ve grown to love robust simplicity. The wow factor on some upgrades I had was overrated with the passage of time and the requirement to work reliably every time. That is the cool thing about seeing the diversity in everyone’s van builds and unique personal requirements.

[@milleramausa]

This is a really helpful video. For the push button or slam latch handles, would you use soft-close drawer glides? I’m planning on using undermount glides, but am deciding which type to buy.

[@OurThrivingLife]

We prefer the soft close regardless of the latches. Some people like the no-soft close for slam/push latches.

[@monetroshi]

I wish you did this video showing the latches on a white background so we can see what you are holding. Otherwise thanks for the link

[@jamilchavez4592]

Hey Jeff, I bought the magnetic latches from your link, and they arrived today. Cross referencing the galley drawers video you made, how do you add latches to the drawers when one’s on top of the other like the 4 drawers you did in the video?

[@OurThrivingLife]

We now put cross bars on the 8020 galley and attach the magnets to those.

[@KennyAlligood]

Jeff, great video. We are interested in the 90 lb. magnet latches but the link does not work. Do you have another link besides Amazon? Thank you, Kay

[@OurThrivingLife]

Try this one: amzn.to/452Y1AJ

[@scotttannehill3533]

Good video overall, but I don't understand why you reviewed the cheap plastic slam latches? The marine standard slam latches are stainless steel, very strong and reliable?

[@OurThrivingLife]

They are much better quality, but still a pain to install.

[@Drpepperhernandez]

What is the 90 lb magnet called? And where would someone get those for an already existing build?

[@OurThrivingLife]

Here are the ones we use: amzn.to/4aZH6B8

[@melissahenry918]

Hi, I also have 80/20 and I’m not understanding how you are attaching the magnet to the 80/20. The bolt doesn’t fit through the magnet side hole. I have 10 series

[@OurThrivingLife]

We drill directly into the 8020 and use sheet metal screws.

[@dreamlookautodetailingauto3353]

Cannot really see the parts you're explaining about. Need better up close shots.

[@edmor1086]

I qui. T watching pretty Shorty 'cause.I couldn't see a friggin's thing you were doing.

[@mjremy2605]

Good video but... your camera work is not adequate. It is not relevant to have the speaker in the frame during the demo. Speaker should be unseen. Instead, bring camera up close to the latches you are showing, make sure it is on a light colored table, so we can see the item up close. Your hands can on the table too, showing how they open. At present, I see NOTHING. Holding up a small part to the camera with your hands covering it up is useless. Show project 95% of time, your face 5 % of time as a general rule.