Latches for Tire Carrier Swing Out Arm

[AxeAngel]

I use compression latches up front and the kaymar latches on the rear.

-Sam

[Box Rocket]

I use a Carr-Lane latch that is similar to the De-Sta-Co latch. I also have a secondary safety pin. My latch is rated at 2000lb.

Here's the latch when I first finished my bumper, and before I added the safety pin.


with safety pin (hopefully you can see it) closed.


swingout open with pin visible.

[Brian1]

Whats the model # for this latch ?

5135A27 at www.mcmaster.com After looking it up I realized my latch is rated for 2k as well so I edited my post above.

[Hedge]

Thanks alot guys. So I'm guessing the small tab on the destaco is what keeps it locked?

No. This latch is an over-center design. The force resulting from this design holds it snugly against the bumper.
Here's my attempt at a legible force diagram, followed by a verbose attempt at describing its function.



Basically, the u-bolt on the swing-out is pulled tight against the hook on the bumper. The u-bolt's pivot point is slightly further aft than the handle's pivot point (rivet head) below it. As a result, as the u-bolt is tightened, it actually travels past the highest-tension position as the handle levers the u-bolt pivot point toward the vehicle, resulting in a small horizontal component of the resultant force. This small horizontal component holds the swing-out snugly against the bumper and it is impossible for the the swing-out to open until the u-bolt is moved past the center rivet.

I hope that's slightly comprehensible. The long and short is--no, there is not a requirement for a latch to lock down an over-center latch as long as the swing-out doesn't flex so much while driving that it allows the u-bolt to momentarily lose it's tension. That's the only scenario I can envision where the backup latch might prevent the over-center latch from spontaneously opening.

[stockwell45]

No. This latch is an over-center design. The force resulting from this design holds it snugly against the bumper.
Here's my attempt at a legible force diagram, followed by a verbose attempt at describing its function.



Basically, the u-bolt on the swing-out is pulled tight against the hook on the bumper. The u-bolt's pivot point is slightly further aft than the handle's pivot point (rivet head) below it. As a result, as the u-bolt is tightened, it actually travels past the highest-tension position as the handle levers the u-bolt pivot point toward the vehicle, resulting in a small horizontal component of the resultant force. This small horizontal component holds the swing-out snugly against the bumper and it is impossible for the the swing-out to open until the u-bolt is moved past the center rivet.

I hope that's slightly comprehensible. The long and short is--no, there is not a requirement for a latch to lock down an over-center latch as long as the swing-out doesn't flex so much while driving that it allows the u-bolt to momentarily lose it's tension. That's the only scenario I can envision where the backup latch might prevent the over-center latch from spontaneously opening.

This makes absolute perfect sense. Its like a load tensioner, you have to pull it past its highest tension point until it snaps past and secures the load. Nice wording! Another question your pictures brought up about my soon to be bumper: I noticed you have a light running to your liscense plate. Ive seen many people with these, are they required by law?

[Hedge]

I noticed you have a light running to your license plate. I've seen many people with these, are they required by law?

That's Box Rocket's photo of his own bumper--I pirated it and scribbled on it because it was reasonably close to a side profile. But yes, I think most states' laws require an illuminated plate.

[wjeeper]

Here's the one we typically use...

I used this same latch (minus the secondary saftey.......wish I had seen them before!) never had a rattle or even the hint of one. They are a bit spendy but they work and they are built to last!

[fire931]

I used this same latch (minus the secondary saftey.......wish I had seen them before!) never had a rattle or even the hint of one. They are a bit spendy but they work and they are built to last!

Yes they are very good latches. They actually just came out with the version with the safety catch a couple months ago so it's still fairly new. In playing with them though I can say that it will prevent the latch from popping open unwontedly though. They aren't priced to bad, although I may be getting somewhat of a deal due to quantity that I buy (not sure about that). But they are worth every penny if you ask me, very well made.

[Maximus Ram]

5135A27 at www.mcmaster.com After looking it up I realized my latch is rated for 2k as well so I edited my post above.

Thanks.

[hoser]

I noticed you have a light running to your liscense plate. Ive seen many people with these, are they required by law?

Yes, as they are in CA. I'm using something like these on one of my cars. Seems to be acceptable and were easy to install.



Oh, and another vote for the De-Sta-Co clamps. Except the rubber handle cover on mine is faded and kinda sticky resulting from the UV rays. Need to get a replacement.