... Pont Neuf, blanche neige, and chateau rouge (I KNOW I've seen those words before!). We are seasonal campers in southern New Jersey. Best of all, it is bullnosed, with a big ugly vertical exhaust stack. Don has been an avid traveler and motorhome owner for most of his life and he shares his experiences along with valuable tips for RV owners. So I had to go out the window. We recently bought a 1994 Fleetwood Bounder with the same lock issue you described. Now back to the door. Just click on my name and then click "Send Personal Message". Some of the doors in RVs are the same as mobile homes. This will become your makeshift handle that will give you a sturdier and stronger grip of the lock to make the procedure easier. cost me almost $500 on one of my motorhomes a few years back. If you approach the barn un-noticed you'll hear two guards talking about the parachute across the lake. If your safe won’t open, due to an issue with you forgetting or not having access to the combination, a broken key, or a battery that has died in your digital lock, then it can be assumed that your bolt construction is intact. I check them periodically to ensure they open easily. I'm saying that because my lock did same problem like that. ... For a while I was toying with the idea of contacting NHTSA and asking them to conduct an investigation to determine if the issue warrants a recall. I searched the internet for any hint of how this was removed, because it appears to be fastened with a circlip (the star washer) and I thought someone might be in the same fix. It seems like a simple fix, but I … 1- pick one of your front side sliding windows and break the glass. Don Bobbitt (author) from Ruskin Florida on April 19, 2018: Katherine - I was lucky enough to have left one of my windows open. Any help would be appreciated. do you have to pull the panel to gain access to the back of the post or is the post just screwed into the frame. moen chateau handle replacement faucet repair bathroom removal … I show how tubular pin tumbler locks work and how they can be opened using tubular lockpicks. If you think your assembly is repairable then I would suggest contacting your nearest Camping World Service Center and ask if they thiink it an be repaired, and of course for how much. Bronwen Scott-Branagan from Victoria, Australia on June 23, 2015: The solution can be simple, but it can still take ages and much frustration to work out what to do. This lever can be easily bent, causing it to miss the internal locking lever, which keeps the door locked. Volume discount on many popular items. They started using a crowbar on the door frame and then asked for permission to remove the door and frame at my expense (approximately $1800) and then a new custom paint job on top of that. 2 years ago I packed the RV in the morning and had no problem getting in and out the door. Quality Products, Great Service and Best Value. LOTS of comments on line about this type of lock and now it is time to remove this hazard from our lives. Otherwise, I'm going to have to figure out how to install a different make or model. Yes, it was an inconvenience, but I don't need another government agency involved in my day to day life. The diameter of the mortise is just over 3/4", and the depth of the latch is about 3/4". Interior view of the outside handle lever that needed repairing. The lock is a Trimark 60-650. After reading the post of other people having problems with the lock it concerns me that if there was a fire or you had to get out quickly this creates a dangerous situation. Shop our selection of Latches, Hasps & Accs! Question: I have a 2012 Coleman travel trailer and it has two locks on the entrance door. Insert the pointed end of the Halligan between the shackle and the storage locker. The screwdriver is needed to remove the three screws that hold the outer and inner assemblies together. We have one window in the living area, it has two red handles and pulling those up will allow a quick if not graceful exit out a window. Everything seemed to be fine. I don't know why the manufacturer didn't fix this design problem years ago, but there are a lot of Rv's out there waiting for this problem to occur. Had to use vehicle doors the remainder of the trip. I guess if it happened at night we would have to either sleep in the car or try to find a motel somewhere. On the other hand, if this kind of thing is happening regularly, then I’ve got to figure out a solution involving something other than the same unit." I got my pocket knife and was able to push the bolt back and got the door open. Step 3: Find a reset tool. Find out whether your car's temperature gauge is working right, discovering key symptoms and applying a few simple tests. If your lock assembly is truly screwed up, then all the Fleetwood Customer Service number and they can get you the part number for a whole replacement assembly. Try this, and until you fix the door lock, you should probably leave one of your windows unlocked, just in case. I was able to remove the inside plate then drill multiple holes in the casting around the broken keeper operating bar. Dispatch both of them and go in the water towards the tree with a parachute stuck in it. I was once locked inside a bathroom aboard a ship -- was not fun. WillStarr from Phoenix, Arizona on June 20, 2015: Nice hub with great fix-it suggestions. You’ll need to know how to do that, as well as how to reactivate the system later. 30 comments. Step 2: You will need to start with the lock in an open position. Just call a lock smith and hire its services to get rid of this common problem. I don't know what we would have done if it weren't for the other campers that helped us out. Dexter reported that they had not seen any significant number of problems, certainly nothing to indicate a problem in the design of the latch. What part of Texas are you in? I have a 2009 Four Winds Class C with the same model lock. Every since I have left at least one window unlocked where I could get in and get the dog. I had a similar problem with my car recently. The spring has one long end with a hook and a short end with a hook at opposite 90 degree positions. Now what? Last year when the problem surfaced we had the door serviced. Fortunately, there were no grandchildren or dogs inside, so I was just temporarily stranded at the fuel island. Drill a hole through the lock cylinder through the guidance point. It is an important safety feature that could be used when working on a door latch as an alternate means of getting into or out of the coach if the latch becomes completely inoperative while working on it or testing it. I told the tech who was working on the door latch so he wouldn't panic. I tightened the screws on the door and sprayed it with silicone, and it worked the rest of the trip. This procedure typically takes four to six weeks. LOL! Further info will follow... You don't need to fix lock by yourself, if you have no more ideas or experience in it. Snow at the unit doors will not be moved and is the occupant’s responsibility. I hope I never need it, but at least I now know where to drill. Doesn't everything? To fix this: Continue reading for a more in-depth explanation of this process, as well as my experience with an automatically locking RV door. There are many reasons why you will need to install a key lock – maybe you are renting a new house and for safety reasons you want to change the locks. Almost since the first gasoline-powered cars hit the road, people have been inventing ways of making them go farther on a gallon of fuel. Don Bobbitt (author) from Ruskin Florida on January 16, 2016: Kristen Howe - Thanks so much for the read and the Comment. I am interested to know if anyone else has had this problem as I am considering notifying the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to create a recall. hide. I was able to pull back the trim on the door and was able to see the dead bolt. This is a National Safety Hazard for thousands of motorhome and RV owners with these defective locks. To fix the a broken door lock: Voila! In any event, I'll report back once I hear from Thor with the final conclusion on the problem. I had this experience recently when preparing for a trip, and luckily, I took the time to tear into the lock assembly and discover the real problem.. To fix the a broken door lock: Remove the three screws securing the interior door lock assembly with a star-bit screwdriver. Otherwise, calling a locksmith may be your only safe way of getting into your RV. This same thing happened to me, a few months ago. moen chateau handle replacement shower parts repair kit single cartridge stuck. This might allow the RV's memory to reset and allow the window to be "unlocked.". The broken key can actually cause damage to the lock. Everyone should have these in their motor home and knowing where they are and checking them frequently to ensure proper operation should help put them in the front of your mind if there is ever a fire when you are in the motor home. Very useful to those who own a RV. These modern contraptions! My side entry door lock broke internally locking my wife inside. Well, I would disconnect my engine battery for a minute or so, and then reconnect it. The Thor rep speculated that the failure could have been due either to a problem in installation or a random manufacturing problem not spotted in the inspection process. Hardware, Locks, Handles, Props, Storage, and all other RV hardware on Sale at Discounted Prices. Look on the side of the lock to see if there is a small hole where a tool could be inserted. I described my problem and, in less than 48 hours, had two very good suggestions. No need to break a window if you provide an emergency exit. From there, I retrieved my keys, got my toolbox, and we were able to disassemble the handle from the inside. I went to a local RV dealer/parts store and purchased a new door latch/lock but it was too small for the space made for the old lock. Once home, I consulted other RV owners on the forum IRV2. I will be taking it apart tomorrow and hopefully fixing the problem. That one guy or gal who has been there and done that is worth their weight in gold when it comes to solving problems. Thanks for sharing your story in this lens. An RV is an expensive thing to buy, and once sold, it depreciates literally every month. if so it may give you time to find a replacement. the slide windows are locked by pushing a locking lever into the pane that is solid. If we were sitting on the settee, for example, and a fire started in the kitchen, we may not be able to get to the emergency exit in the bedroom. The first is the latch for the handle that opens the door the other is the safety lock. All I needed to do was get inside the assembly and bend the door handle lever so it would mate properly with the internal locking lever. We have been talking with the service facility of a Forest River dealer in the Sacramento area trying to find a way to get the lock open and replaced. I had the exact same thing happen with my door--also the day before my family of 6 were leaving for a 2 week RV trip! The 4 1/2 inch spring is broken and I can’t figure out where to put the replacement. After about an hour we finally got it open. This article will explain how they operate and how you can avoid future problems. Help please! Economy and high-security options. I then with a lot of help from other campers started drilling into the lock to see if I could pull back the broken latch. It was locked, again! How often do people remove and lubricate there house door locks, not often if ever and the new combination locks for homes do require new batteries and they always run out of power when one does not have the key ring with the house key! Apply a light and constant binding force as if you were to open the lock (by lifting the shackle for example). Don Bobbitt (author) from Ruskin Florida on July 23, 2017: Mark Barnes - I am so glad that my article was of some help to you when you encountered this problem with the RV entrance door. Awesome help. Answer: Assuming that you mean that your Keyless remote will not unlock your door, then the first thing I would do is change the battery in the remote. What to Do After a Key Breaks in the Lock . If your lock is stuck in the closed position, you will need to contact a locksmith or use bolt cutters to open it yourself. I am having no luck with my door lock: trimark. It will swivel on the inside door handle shaft. You should have emergency fire exits in your motor home. Whenever the door closed, it would lock automatically, and whenever we needed to get inside my wife performed her daily gymnastics. It is a pretty hefty DIY project, but very enjoyable if you're patient and thorough. I am going to try this as the symptoms are the exact ones you described...thanks for the tip. When we went back to our RV, I inserted the key to unlock the door. Interior view of my RV's door lock assembly. Are you also thinking of changing your oil but afraid to get your hands dirty or that you don't have the technical know-how to get the job done? We finally took off the interior door molding, and pushed the pin back to open the door. We removed the spring-loaded latch and determined we could use the deadbolt as a make-shift door lock, which would hold the door securely closed until we could get home. Don Bobbitt (author) from Ruskin Florida on June 21, 2015: Old Poolman- I'm glad my predicament and my search for a solution was of interest to you. Had there been a fire and we had been trapped inside (like one of the incidents above), the consequences could have been fatal. I called Fleetwood customer service, they emailed me a drawing of what I needed to do, I repaired it and moved on. You make RV'ing sound like great fun. You might also check with a mobile home service center. I contacted a lock smith and he was unable to gain access to the motor home. He immediately panicked and my neighbor came to his rescue with a ladder. Tilt the lock so that the shackle of the lock is parallel to the ground. I do not recall the make of the lock though. I have a fear of heights and ladders so it took me 2 hours before I finally braved the sliding window and ladder to free myself. The exterior handle moves a lever that locks and unlocks the door. On the older ones where the manufacturer is no longer in business, you can search the web for Old RV graveyards. There are many reasons why someone would consider moving into an RV. And items such as a disk detainer or dimple locks, prevent lock bumping. ", I'm not sure exactly what model lock I had, but in plinking around on the Trimark website, I see that, assuming I'm looking at the right item, Trimark has come out with a new version, recommending against the use of the old version: http://www.trimarkcorp.com/en/zPlatform.aspx?platformid=25&categoryid=-1. My side entry door lock broke internally locking my wife inside. Question: How do I get a locked motor window open? If I had the time, I would write a short book on "RV Repairs for On the Road". New car? The same key opens both locks. Don Bobbitt (author) from Ruskin Florida on June 30, 2018: manicmndy - There is still hope! LOL! Electric cars are growing in popularity, but are they worth it?