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Old 04-23-2017, 09:48 PM   #1
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Mini Lite Drawers Finally Tamed

If your drawers close and stay closed while roadtripping, don't bother reading this.

I'm sure this topic has been beat to death over the years, but it's been a thorn in my side, and that is keeping the cabinet drawers closed during travel. I tried adjusting the slide detent buttons and bungee cords, either it didn't work or was not reliable on several of mine. I was almost prepared to install some sliding door bolts or eye bolts when I came across an interweb blog called "Merle and Me", and by golly, I think they nailed it.
Their system uses the Velcro Strapping straps, and here's how I copied them and finally found success. Unfortunately, for this fix I couldn't just go on Amazon and order some ready made kit like the spoiled me likes, there are a few parts to gather, commonly available, and I was at a point where I was willing to try anything.
Parts:
3/4" Velcro Strapping, sold in 12' rolls. This style Velcro is a single strap that sticks to itself (one side sticks to the other), sold to bundle extension cords, water hoses, etc. I bought mine at Walmart, $7.
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>Some 3/16 eyelets, 2 needed per drawer. I bought mine online, available anywhere fabrics are sold. I saw them for sale at a bigger Walmart in the fabric section, but they were sold out at the time.
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>#8 x 1/2" pan head course thread and washers. 2 of each needed per drawer.

I determined the length of strapping needed per drawer, one on each side about an inch or two from the top of the drawer, allowing a good length for overlap to lock them together in the front of the drawer. Where you can mount a strap will vary per drawer or type of internal construction.
Cut the straps a inch longer than measured, then install an eyelet about an inch in from one end.
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The install steps are really simple. Simple enough that pictures are probably better than me ranting. I basically mounted one strap on each side of the inside of each drawer's cavity. The eyelets come in to play because the screw is tightened just enough to allow the eyelet to pivot freely. When you are hitting the road the straps are pulled forward around the drawer face and locked together. Once camped, the straps are pivoted upwards to 12 o'clock and placed inside the drawer, out of site and out of the way. The drawer operates normally.
Note: the straps have a different texture on each side. Install each strap pair with a different side out individually.
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My project cost was about 16 bucks and time spent was about 1 hour once parts are gathered.
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Old 04-26-2017, 10:07 AM   #2
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neat idea .....
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Old 04-26-2017, 12:11 PM   #3
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At last - a perfect and simple solution! This will be done on the weekend.

Thanks for this!
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Old 04-26-2017, 02:12 PM   #4
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Great tip!
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Old 04-29-2017, 04:01 PM   #5
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That looks like a good idea.

We used child locks to keep the drawers closed. It was easy to install.
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