Recommended Replacement Options For A FIC HF-343 RV Entry Door Lock

Question:

I have a FIC HF-343, which has a hole size of 2 3/4inch x 4 3/4. I noticed that someone else posted a similar question here, and your experts advice was to go measure the hole size again because he assumed that if he hadnt heard of the latch hole that size that your customerinch must be wrong. The customer was not wrong. That is the correct hole size. FIC has discontinued this size latch, so my question is if anyone makes a spacer which fits the space above the standard 2.5 x 3.5 latch hole size, as well as a plate to cover the gap?

asked by: Bruce B

Expert Reply:

There aren't any companies making spacers or cover plates so you'd have to get a residential cover plate from your local hardware store and cut it down to fit. You do have to be careful though that you don't go too thick with the cover plate so you can still stay within the 1-1/2" maximum door thickness of the Global Link RV Entry Door Locking Latch Kit # 295-000021. You'll also want to use a bit of sealant around the cover plate edge to prevent any water from leaking in.

As for the spacer you can fill the hole in with just a piece of wood. You'd want to stick this shim into the cutout hole on the opposite side of the plunger so that the door latch will sit correctly in the hole.

The only other option would be to trim the hole larger and use a lock like the Bauer Products Camper Door Lock # BA65FR, which requires a 5-1/4" wide x 4-1/2" tall cutout hole.

expert reply by: Kevin C