6 Best Locking Pulls For RV Medicine Cabinets Nomads Swear By
Secure your RV medicine cabinet with these nomad-approved locking pulls. We review 6 top options to prevent spills and keep contents safe on the move.
There’s a sound every RVer knows. It’s the sharp crack of a cabinet door flying open after a sudden stop, followed by the clatter of toiletries scattering across the bathroom floor. This isn’t just an annoyance; it’s a rite of passage that teaches a critical lesson. In a home that moves, every single door and drawer needs to be secured.
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Why Secure RV Medicine Cabinets Are Essential
The most obvious reason is to keep your stuff contained. An RV is a controlled earthquake on wheels, and any unsecured item will eventually find its way to the floor. Medicine cabinets are notorious offenders, often holding a collection of small, hard, and sometimes liquid-filled containers that can make a serious mess.
But it’s about more than just preventing spills. A secure cabinet is a safe cabinet. This is where you likely store prescription medications, razors, and other items that need to be kept out of reach of children or pets. A flimsy latch is no match for a determined toddler or a bumpy road. A positive-locking latch ensures that what you put away, stays away.
Finally, there’s the sanity factor. A rattling cabinet door can become a maddening soundtrack to your journey. A good, tight-fitting latch eliminates that noise, contributing to a more peaceful and enjoyable travel experience. It’s one of those small upgrades that has an outsized impact on your daily life on the road.
Camco Push-Button Latch: A Nomad Favorite
Secure your RV or boat cabinets with these keyless push button latches. Made from durable zinc alloy and ABS, they prevent doors from opening during travel and include all necessary hardware for easy installation on 15-18mm thick doors.
If you’ve spent any time in an RV, you’ve seen this latch. The Camco push-button style is the industry standard for a reason. It’s a simple, effective design: push the button in to lock the cabinet, and push it again to pop the button out, which then acts as a handle to pull the door open.
The biggest advantages are cost and availability. These latches are inexpensive and can be found in virtually any RV supply store or online, making them easy to replace on the road. Installation is usually straightforward, often serving as a direct replacement for the hardware that came with your rig. They provide a secure, positive lock that is more than adequate for most medicine cabinet doors.
The tradeoff is in the materials. Most basic Camco latches are made of plastic. While durable enough for years of service, they can feel a bit flimsy and may eventually wear out or break with heavy use. They are the definition of a functional, no-frills workhorse.
Southco M1 Push Latch: Heavy-Duty Security
When you’re ready to upgrade from plastic and want something that feels absolutely bombproof, you look to Southco. Originally designed for the demanding marine environment, these latches are built to withstand constant vibration and heavy use. The M1 is a push-to-close latch that presents a clean, flush surface when secured, giving your cabinets a sleek, modern look.
The construction is what sets it apart. Typically made with corrosion-resistant materials like stainless steel and heavy-duty plastic, the Southco M1 has a satisfyingly solid feel. When you close it, you know it’s closed for good. This is the latch you choose for a heavy mirrored cabinet door or for securing valuable contents you absolutely cannot risk spilling.
This level of security comes at a price. Southco latches are significantly more expensive than their plastic counterparts. Installation is also more involved, requiring a precisely drilled hole for the mechanism. It’s not a simple screw-on replacement, but an investment in permanent, worry-free security.
LATCH.IT Push Lock: Modern & Keyless Security
LATCH.IT has carved out a niche by taking standard RV hardware and re-engineering it with better materials and a focus on durability. Their push-button locks are a direct and significant upgrade over the standard all-plastic models. They function identically, but the difference is in the feel and longevity.
These locks often feature a metal, zinc-alloy housing combined with a durable plastic or metal button. This hybrid construction provides the strength of metal where it counts—in the mounting base and locking mechanism—while keeping the overall unit lightweight and affordable. For many nomads, this hits the sweet spot between the basic plastic latches and the high-end marine-grade hardware.
Think of the LATCH.IT as the perfect middle ground. It offers a tangible upgrade in quality and peace of mind without the cost or complex installation of a premium product like a Southco. If your original plastic latch broke and you want to replace it with something that will last, this is often the smartest choice.
Jiayi Magnetic Catch: A Simple, Strong Option
Keep doors and drawers securely closed with this ultra-thin magnetic catch. Its strong adhesive and durable metal design provide long-lasting performance, with screws included for optional mounting.
Sometimes the best solution is the simplest. A high-quality magnetic catch, particularly one using powerful neodymium magnets, can be surprisingly effective. Instead of a mechanical latch, these use pure magnetic force to hold the cabinet door shut against a metal plate.
The beauty of a magnetic catch is its simplicity. There are no moving parts to wear out, break, or rattle. Installation is dead simple, usually just two screws for the magnet and one for the strike plate. They provide a silent, smooth, and self-latching operation that feels clean and modern.
However, it’s crucial to understand their limitation: a magnetic catch is not a positive lock. While a strong one can hold a door shut against normal road vibration and sway, a significant jolt or a sharp turn can pop it open. They are an excellent choice for lightweight cabinet doors or as a secondary system to stop a door from rattling, but I wouldn’t trust one as the sole method for securing a heavy medicine cabinet on rough backroads.
RV Designer Roller Catch: The Classic Solution
The double roller catch is another old-school classic, and you’ll find them in countless RVs for a reason. This simple mechanism uses two spring-loaded rollers that snap into a v-shaped strike plate, holding the door closed with tension. It’s a low-tech, reliable, and incredibly inexpensive solution.
Like magnetic catches, their strength lies in their simplicity and ease of installation. They do an excellent job of preventing a cabinet door from swinging open during transit and are fantastic at eliminating rattles. The holding power is often adjustable; you can slightly bend the arms holding the rollers or the strike plate to increase or decrease the tension.
Again, this is a "catch," not a "lock." Its job is to hold the door against its frame, but a heavy object shifting inside the cabinet can easily force it open. It’s a great, budget-friendly choice for keeping things quiet and tidy, but for a medicine cabinet holding anything heavy or important, it’s best paired with a more secure primary latch.
Sugatsune Push Knob: Premium, Sleek Design
For those doing a custom build or a high-end renovation, hardware becomes a design element. Sugatsune is a Japanese brand known for its precision-engineered architectural hardware, and their push knobs are the epitome of functional elegance. When closed, the knob is flush with the cabinet face. A gentle press pops the knob out, allowing it to be used as a pull to open the door.
The quality is immediately apparent. These are crafted from solid metal with a silky-smooth mechanism that feels incredibly satisfying to use. They provide a very secure lock and a minimalist aesthetic that is unmatched by typical RV hardware. This is the kind of detail that elevates a space from a standard camper to a truly custom home.
This premium experience comes with a premium price tag and requires precise installation. You’re not just screwing a latch onto a door; you’re installing a piece of fine hardware that requires careful measurement and drilling. It’s a choice you make when aesthetics and a high-quality tactile feel are top priorities, right alongside security.
Installation Tips for a Rattle-Free Journey
No matter which latch you choose, a poor installation will defeat the purpose. The number one rule is to check what’s behind the cabinet wall before you drill. Use a stud finder or drill a tiny pilot hole to ensure you won’t hit wiring, plumbing, or the exterior skin of your RV.
The alignment between the latch mechanism and the strike plate (or keeper) is everything. A misalignment is the primary cause of rattles or a latch that won’t engage properly. Take your time, and don’t be afraid to use thin shims—a piece of cardboard or an old credit card can work—to get the keeper perfectly positioned for a tight, secure fit.
One pro tip I swear by: use a drop of non-permanent thread locker, like Loctite Blue, on your screw threads. The constant vibration of the road is an expert at loosening screws over time. This simple step ensures that your hardware stays tight and your cabinets stay quiet and secure for thousands of miles.
Ultimately, the best locking pull is the one that fits your budget, your cabinet’s contents, and your tolerance for road noise. Choosing the right hardware is a small but powerful way to build a more secure, serene, and reliable home on wheels. It’s these thoughtful details that transform a vehicle into a sanctuary.
