Where to find latch

[Travelin2]

I have a 2002 Bigfoot 21 and it has the fiberglass cowl covering the tanks and battery. In 2002 they used a little metal over-center latch to hold the lid down and it has become quite rusty. I have seen newer trailers with what looked like miniature rubber hood latches. Does anyone know where to get these that are not made in China?

[Jack L]

Amazon. Search "box latch" and "rubber draw latch".

[Travelin2]

Thanks Jack

[John in Santa Cruz]

remove the original latch, and assuming its steel and not copper or brass or whatever, dunk it in a bowl of oxalic acid (naval jelly, etc etc) for a day or two, then rinse thoroughly, allow to dry completely, and spray it with several layers of primer, then a decent quality silver paint ('okie chrome').

[mszabo]

https://smile.amazon.com/Buyers-Prod...ber+hood+latch

[Travelin2]

Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz

remove the original latch, and assuming its steel and not copper or brass or whatever, dunk it in a bowl of oxalic acid (naval jelly, etc etc) for a day or two, then rinse thoroughly, allow to dry completely, and spray it with several layers of primer, then a decent quality silver paint ('okie chrome').

You know the latch does still work, it is just rusty and making a rust stain down the white fiberglass. I removed the stain with oxalic acid that I use around my boat so I guess I could try "fixin" instead of throwing away. Thanks for waking me up John, I am guilty sometimes of just buying new when a little elbow grease is the solution.

[k corbin]

Originally Posted by halfhitch

I have a 2002 Bigfoot 21 and it has the fiberglass cowl covering the tanks and battery. In 2002 they used a little metal over-center latch to hold the lid down and it has become quite rusty. I have seen newer trailers with what looked like miniature rubber hood latches. Does anyone know where to get these that are not made in China?

They are sometimes called a hood latch as they get used to hold down the hoods on off road vehicles.

[k corbin]

Originally Posted by halfhitch

I have a 2002 Bigfoot 21 and it has the fiberglass cowl covering the tanks and battery. In 2002 they used a little metal over-center latch to hold the lid down and it has become quite rusty. I have seen newer trailers with what looked like miniature rubber hood latches. Does anyone know where to get these that are not made in China?

As to finding one not made in China.....unlikely to happen. You will find them for sale by importers who are based in this country but at middle man add on pricing. But at least you will get them a little faster since they are already in the country.

We all know why they are from China and elsewhere, no need for a discussion on regulations.