7 Best Child Proof Door Catches For RV Travel That Nomads Swear By

You take a sharp turn to avoid a pothole, and the overhead cabinet flies open, sending a cascade of canned beans onto the dinette. Later that day, you turn around to find your two-year-old has discovered how to open the under-sink cabinet where the cleaning supplies are kept. Living and traveling in an RV with little ones presents a unique dual challenge: keeping things secure during transit and keeping curious hands out of trouble.

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Why RV Cabinet Latches Aren’t Toddler-Proof

The latches that come standard in most RVs are designed for one thing: to keep cabinet doors from swinging open while you’re driving. They use simple spring-loaded rollers or plastic push-button catches that rely on tension. They do that job reasonably well against the forces of motion.

What they aren’t designed for is resisting the focused, persistent, and surprisingly clever efforts of a toddler. A child can easily pull a standard roller catch open. They can learn to mimic the push-and-pull motion of a button latch.

These factory latches are meant to counteract inertia, not ingenuity. They are a travel-safety feature, not a child-safety feature. Understanding this distinction is the first step to properly securing your rig for family adventures. You need to add a second layer of security designed specifically for kids.

Vmaisi Magnetic Locks: Invisible Cabinet Security

Magnetic locks are the top choice for anyone who wants security without sacrificing the clean look of their RV interior. They install on the inside of the cabinet door and frame, making them completely invisible from the outside. You use a powerful magnetic "key" to disengage the lock from the exterior.

The biggest advantage is that there’s no visible mechanism for a child to tamper with. If they don’t see it, they’re less likely to try and defeat it. Most kits come with an installation cradle that makes lining up the two pieces nearly foolproof, which is a huge bonus in the often-uneven world of RV cabinetry.

The main tradeoff is the key. You absolutely must have the magnetic key to open the cabinet, so you need to store it somewhere high and safe, but also accessible. Many nomads stick it to the side of the range hood or a high metal light fixture. Also, be mindful of installation: while many come with strong 3M adhesive, screwing them in is the only permanent solution for the temperature and humidity swings inside an RV, which can weaken adhesive over time.

Munchkin Xtraguard: The Versatile Strap Latch

Sometimes you just need a simple, effective, and flexible solution you can install in 30 seconds. That’s the Munchkin Xtraguard. These are adhesive-backed, dual-button strap latches that can be applied to almost any flat surface.

Their versatility is their superpower. Use them on cabinets, drawers, microwaves, and even the RV refrigerator. Because the strap is flexible, they work great on curved corners or slightly misaligned surfaces where a rigid lock would fail. The dual-button release is simple for an adult to operate with one hand but tricky for a small child to coordinate.

These are not a high-security solution, but they are an excellent deterrent. The adhesive is strong, but a truly determined older toddler might be able to pry it off. Think of them as the quick and easy answer for 80% of your childproofing needs, especially for areas you need to secure temporarily or don’t want to drill into. They are the best all-around, multi-purpose latch for RV life.

Safety 1st Slide Lock for Double Cabinet Doors

Many RV galleys and bathroom vanities feature a pair of cabinet doors that meet in the middle, secured by two knobs or pulls. This is where the Safety 1st Slide Lock shines. It’s a simple U-shaped piece of plastic that slips over both knobs, preventing either door from opening.

There is zero installation required. You just slide it on and squeeze to tighten. To release, you press the buttons and slide it off. This makes it a fantastic, non-permanent solution that won’t damage your cabinetry. It’s especially useful for the cabinet under the sink, which is often a prime target for toddlers and a common storage spot for chemicals.

The obvious limitation is that it only works on cabinets with two adjacent knobs or D-shaped pulls. It’s useless for single doors or cabinets with flush handles. But for the specific application it’s designed for, it is the fastest and most reliable option on the market.

Camco Cabinet Catch: A Heavy-Duty RV Solution

If your main concern is doors flying open on rough roads, and you just need a little more holding power to deter a young child, upgrading the factory latch is a good move. The Camco Cabinet Catch is a direct replacement for the cheap plastic roller catches found in many rigs. It uses a dual-roller system that provides a much more positive and secure "click."

This is more of an upgrade than a dedicated child lock. It requires more force to pull open than a standard latch, which can be enough to stop a younger toddler. The real benefit is its durability and holding power, which helps keep heavy items like canned goods or dishes from forcing a door open on a bumpy forest service road.

Think of this as a "Level 1" security upgrade. It’s better than stock for both travel and toddlers, but it won’t stop a determined three-year-old. It’s a great choice for upper cabinets that are already out of a small child’s easy reach but need extra security for travel.

National Hardware Spring Latch: A Secure Classic

When you need to be 100% certain a door or compartment stays shut, you go for old-school hardware. The simple metal spring-loaded barrel bolt, often called a spring latch, is an incredibly robust and foolproof solution. It’s a mechanical lock that, once engaged, cannot be opened without deliberate action.

This is the lock you use for things that are absolutely off-limits. Think of an interior door to a battery compartment, a panel accessing plumbing, or an exterior storage bay holding tools. Installation requires drilling and careful alignment, but the result is a lock that will never fail due to weakened adhesive or clever fingers.

It’s not pretty, and it’s not subtle. This is a purely functional choice. You wouldn’t put it on your main kitchen cabinets, but for securing critical areas of the RV, this type of mechanical latch provides unmatched peace of mind.

Tuut Door Lever Lock: For Interior RV Passages

Childproofing isn’t just about cabinets. Interior doors in an RV, especially those with lever-style handles, are easy for a toddler to open. This can lead to them getting into the bathroom unsupervised or, worse, into the driver’s cab area.

The Tuut Door Lever Lock is an ingenious adhesive-backed device that fits around the base of the door handle. It has two "arms" that you can position to block the lever’s movement. An adult can easily operate it by squeezing two side buttons and rotating it out of the way.

This is a must-have for any RV with lever handles and small children. It prevents access to entire rooms without requiring you to replace hardware. Just be sure to clean the door surface with alcohol before applying the adhesive to ensure a solid bond, especially in a humid RV environment.

The Mommy’s Helper Latch: For Awkward Spaces

Every RV has that one weird cabinet. It’s a corner cabinet, a tip-out drawer under the sink, or an appliance door that’s too close to a wall for a standard lock. For these problem spots, a flexible latch like The Mommy’s Helper is the perfect tool.

Similar to other strap latches, it uses a strong adhesive backing and a flexible strap. The key difference is its design, which is well-suited for mounting around corners or on uneven surfaces. The simple push-to-release mechanism is easy for adults but tough for kids.

This is the problem-solver you keep in your toolkit. When a magnetic lock won’t fit and a slide lock won’t work, this one probably will. It’s the specialized tool for the 10% of your cabinets that defy standard solutions.

Childproofing an RV isn’t about finding one perfect lock; it’s about creating a layered system of security. You’ll likely use a combination of invisible magnetic locks for your kitchen, a slide lock for the bathroom sink, and a heavy-duty mechanical latch for a utility compartment. By choosing the right tool for each specific job, you create a safe environment that lets you focus less on worry and more on the adventure ahead.