De Sta Co latch issues

[StevenS]

I was having some issues with the latch that came with my rear spare tire carrier. The problem became most apparent at an expo event/rally I attended in Asheville back in May when the latch failed as I was going up a steep incline and the spare tire carrier came unlatched and swung out like a medieval weapon. I decided it was time for an upgrade. This past weekend I finally got around to grinding off the old latch and mounting up the new. Unfortunately I now seem to be worse off than I was before - the latch came undone while driving to work this morning but "luckily" the way I have my hi lift jack mounted to the carrier, it prevented the latch from coming completely unhinged. Needless to say I was pretty frustrated. I tightened down more on the two lock nuts but that only seemed to compound the problem by not allowing the latch to catch all the way. Is there anything else I can do? Can I hopelessly attempt to dial in a "sweet spot" on the latch? Do I mount it elsewhere? Has anyone else experienced a similar issue? Would pictures help? Yes? Well you'll have to wait - they're still on my camera. In the meantime, please tell me any thoughts or personal experiences with your latches - good or bad - and let's see if we can work this thing out. Thanks in advance.

 

[zebrabeefj40]

I have had similar issues with Destaco style clamps. IMHO they are great when paired with a pin or other method to prevent either the clamp or swingout from opening Need to see pics of your setup though before we can help you solve your issues.

Nick

 

[StevenS]

I have had similar issues with Destaco style clamps. IMHO they are great when paired with a pin or other method to prevent either the clamp or swingout from opening Need to see pics of your setup though before we can help you solve your issues.

Nick

Nick,
I think you hit the nail on the head! I currently don't have a pin installed. That might be just the thing to make it work. I'll get to work on getting that set up. I'll try to post pics soon as well - I know visualizing the problem will help.

 

[StevenS]

Got on 4x4Labs.com just a moment ago and ordered up a 150lb-rated gas shock for the bumper from Luke. If nothing else, this will keep it from swinging out wildly on me, either on the highway or on the trail. I still plan on welding up a "ratchet" style latch pin mechanism that will hold the arm open in different positions, as well as keep it closed and locked. Thanks for the inspiration.

 

[StevenS]

Pics!

Here are some pics of the bumper I took this morning. It's been a crazy week at work; sorry for the delay in getting these up. FYI, the banana and Nalgene bottle are not part of the bumper.

 

[StevenS]

One more pic.

This shows the latch a little better.

 

[davegonz]

One question, is there a pad under the swing-arm? If not, then I can see why your latch is coming off when driving over bumps or rough terrain. A simple Delrin or UHMW pad screwed to the bumper or arm will help reduce flex and will keep your latch tight.

Also, is the De-Staco clamp you're using the locking kind that is found on 4x4labs bumpers?

If you're going to install a gas strut from 4x4labs, make sure you read up on how to mount them. Luke sets them up in an over-center type of configuration. Here's a link to his instructions: https://forum.ih8mud.com/az-copper-state-cruisers/142286-4x4labs-rear-bumper-build.html#post1937124

 

[No. 3]

Cruise McMaster Carr for a latch that is pad-lockable. My bumper swing is never going to open on the road and makes the tail gate more secure when it's locked. A swing arm should have some redundancy and not depend solely on the latch to remain closed. At least that's what I think.
Jeff

 

[StevenS]

Dave: I do have a pad. That's actually another recent improvement I added. The swing arm was sagging badly and I was afraid of permanent damage to the hinge, so I repaired this as quickly as I could. It was a bad design and the builder didn't pad this as needed when fabricated. I wound up using a simple $3 rubber stopper from Ace Hardware that I drilled out and added a stainless steel bolt and washer. Hard to see in pic 3 above, but trust that its on there. Works great (so far).

Not sure what model 4x4Labs uses, but my latch doesn't lock unfortunately. I purchased it on McMaster Carr's website.

Thanks for the link you provided for the gas strut. I will rely on this for my installation!

 

[Wheelingnoob]

One flaw I see with that setup is the way the latch is positioned. As soon as you go up anything steep or drop off something you will destroy the latch. Also from the pictures it looks like the latch is pulling out and down, you really want to have it pulling only straight down not back at all.

 

[AdventureToolCompany]

Although I haven't had a "latch" failure I've seen others that have and the catastrophic body damage when the swing-gate hits the body, so I went ahead and added a pin lock on my swing-out bumper. You can find the pin locks at any Ranch/Home hardware store for about $5.00. The plate is 1/4 steel welded to the swing-out. It also gives you time to stabilize yourself when your opening the swing gate on a steep incline. I also tethered the black pin to the ladder so I wouldn't lose it.

Good luck!

 

[AdventureToolCompany]

Note: "Well, there's your problem..." I think the weight of the banana is causing this issue!

Good luck

 

[zebrabeefj40]

The root cause is the latch is in the wrong place and pulling the wrong way to stay closed. Destaco latches work by closing over center. Your swingout opens in a direction that will take the latch past the over center position and into the open position. There's not much you can do to keep it closed with that latch in that position.

These latches might be a better choice:

http://www.destaco.com/products.asp...&Category_2=DE%2DSTA%2DCO%AE+Toggle+Lock+Plus

DE-STA-CO - Clamps - Products

Adding a pin like one of the other pics shows would be a nice solution. I also agree about the current latch is going to get either opened or smashed on the first wheeling trip.

The swing out definitely looks great. With a little modification it should be trouble free.

Nick

 

[StevenS]

One flaw I see with that setup is the way the latch is positioned. As soon as you go up anything steep or drop off something you will destroy the latch. Also from the pictures it looks like the latch is pulling out and down, you really want to have it pulling only straight down not back at all.

Yeah, another unfortunate drawback with this bumper design that forces a workaround solution. The swing arm is too narrow for the larger dimension of the bracket, forcing me to mount it in its current configuration. The good news is that when the swing out is properly aligned with the bumper, there's no pulling back.

 

[StevenS]

older pics

I found some pics of the ghetto fab bracket before I modded it this past weekend. Just goes to show, you get what you pay for - which in this case wasn't very much!

 

[StevenS]

one more

 

[adventr]

The root cause is the latch is in the wrong place and pulling the wrong way to stay closed. Destaco latches work by closing over center. Your swingout opens in a direction that will take the latch past the over center position and into the open position. There's not much you can do to keep it closed with that latch in that position.

Nick

Bingo. It irks me to no end to see these types of latches being used improperly...
If you're going to charge people upwards of $2k for a bumper, at least load the damn latches properly!!


No offense to the OP or anyone in particular, but it does bother me.


Carry on!

 

[StevenS]

Bingo. It irks me to no end to see these types of latches being used improperly...
If you're going to charge people upwards of $2k for a bumper, at least load the damn latches properly!!

No offense to the OP or anyone in particular, but it does bother me.

Carry on!

I get what you're saying, but for the DIY'er, these things don't come with instructions. For me it's been trial and error. No offense, but don't assume everyone who works on their own truck is a mechanical engineer. Some of us are just relegated to a budget.

 

[zebrabeefj40]

I get what you're saying, but for the DIY'er, these things don't come with instructions. For me it's been trial and error. No offense, but don't assume everyone who works on their own truck is a mechanical engineer. Some of us are just relegated to a budget.

This link might help you with the engineering side of using toggle clamps...

TOGGLE CLAMPS, TECHNICAL INFORMATION :: Carr Lane Manufacturing Co.

Nick

 

[StevenS]

Good info. Thanks Nick. I appreciate that vs. throwing popcorn!