Frozen tub cover latches

[riesnd]

Any of you cold climate hot tubbers have a solution to keeping the cover hold-down latches from freezing?

A light morning snow followed by some afternoon sun tends to result in some water running off the cover and down the hold down straps to the latch. Subsequently the latch fills with ice (doesn't take much) and is difficult to open. I end up rapping on it to crack up the ice inside the tub-portion of the latch and so I can press in tabs on the strap-portion of the latch to unsnap it.

I've never allowed it to stop me from getting in but it's a bit of a pain and I know eventually I'll bust the latches.

Anyone have a solution to keep runoff from getting to the latch in the first place?
Are there other types of latches that you would recommend?

Thanks,
John

[Vinny]

Use hot water to unfreeze the latches unless you're talking about 3" thick ice!

I leave mine unbuckled except when a strong wind comes along or I go on vacation.

[riesnd]

Thanks Vinny. My local dealer suggested hot water as well. Hot water would certainly work better than beating the ice out.

John

[Kialda]

I put a large size climbing carabiner Thru the loop in the cover strap and installed a metal eye hook just below the plastic clips on the cabinet. Works great and no fuss.

[riesnd]

Nice solution Kialda. Thanks for the info.

John