I have to say that I’ve been pretty happy with my new tubular compartment locks since I installed them last March (click here to read the complete article on the ordering and installation instructions). They’ve performed flawlessly and provide additional peace of mind for my tools and equipment. The only issue I’ve encountered with the new locks is dirt and dust intrusion while driving on unpaved trails and mountain roads (the problem has occurred only with the rear compartments not those found on the sides). Fortunately, the folks at Industrial Lock and Hardware now offer a new, flip-up dust cover to prevent this from happening again.
Installing the new dust covers was incredibly easy. Like the tubular locks, you don’t need to possess locksmith level skills to install them. Remember the caveman reference in my original article? The same applies here, too. To install the cover, you’ll need to remove the tubular lock and re-install it with the new cover in place. The only recommendation I would make is to ditch the old black rubber gasket before installing this cover as the mounting does add a small amount of depth to the lock and cam which may impact how snug the cam sits against the inner lip of the storage compartment. The pics below show the final installation for the rear compartments.
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| Dust cover with the spring-loaded cover pulled back. |
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| Rear storage compartment showing the installed covers. |
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| Sideways mounting of the new dust cover. |
The new lock covers look great and provide a terrific barrier against dirt, dust, snow, ice, and moisture and at only $3.50 a piece, they’re well worth the cost and effort to install. So if you had any reservations before about buying tubular locks because of dirt or ice intrusion concerns, then worry no more. These lock covers not only work well in protecting your locks, but they’ll also look good doing it.
Changeout of Truck Camper Original Locks/Latches to ILH Tubular Cam Locks
Howdy,
In regards to your articles, “Replacing Your Worthless CH751 Locks” and “Tubular Lock Cover Upgrade” and other folks/resources, we decided to change out nine (9) locks/latches to all tubular cam locks on our truck camper. We did not install a lock on the water heater cover or the propane cylinders access door.
When we started the process to measure each original CH751 keyed lock, we found two of the lock bodies to be these disturbingly cheap (doubly “worthless”, indeed) pressed in versions.
So, we built our order sheet for the locks and covers, sent it in, discussed it with Hector at ILH, and in a week, they showed up in conpartmented, heat sealed packaging.
I have asked ILH to consider selling backing type washers, yellow metallic, with internal flats, ~3/4” ID, thin. Their was one washer of this type, in one place on our truck camper, original to the truck camper. On our truck camper, the interior of some of the doors are foam. The nut that secures the lock body tends to dig into the foam. I modified some thin fender washers, enlarging by drilling, to a 3/4” hole, to back the nut when installing the locks, to protect the foam.
I got everything installed and it all operates very well. We are both happy with the way it all worked out. Much more secure.
It also appears that the ILH hardware is of better quality. Chromed lock bodies and nuts. Well galvanized cams. Etc.
We had recently been on the road for 2.5 months and 7,000 miles and in a new truck camper. Most of the internal associated lock hardware utilized in the storage bin doors was already corroded. Not bad, but just compromised more than expected.
So, your articles about the ILH products and your experience with them was the tipping point for us to take action and change out our locks and latches.
Thank you for all your efforts with TCA,
Bill J.
2018 Northern Lite 9-6Q SE
2017 Ford F350 6.2L gasoline, SRW, CC, LB, 4X4, 4.30 DIFF
I recall your earlier article, referenced above and on your mods page as "Replacing the Worthless CH751 Locks", but both links are now broken. I'm interested in reviewing it. Any chance you have it someplace else you can either recover it from or point me at it? Lots of great stuff here. Thanks!
I like it! ive thought about changing my locks but still have not gotten around to it. I really like the covers though. it would block out the ice and snow too as we camp year round. ive saved the link you gave for them to my favorites. thanks!
I didn't think about snow and ice, but yes, the covers would work great for that kind of weather as well.