Here is how to prevent getting locked out of camper

[oldster]

We also have the riveted inner plate on our 2004 Grandby door latch...

 

[rubberlegs]

Thanks for this thread -- I removed the wimpy deadbolt in our camper today. I noticed the assembly was loose on the door too. Rattling down washboard can loosen teeth, let alone screws. Good to walk around with a screwdriver from time to time.

 

[mnkeen]

We had the opposite problem. We locked the camper overnight using the red door latch, and then couldn't open it to get out! Eventually got it open, and now we ignore the red door latch and only use the deadbolt and key.

 

[Wallowa]

We had the opposite problem. We locked the camper overnight using the red door latch, and then couldn't open it to get out! Eventually got it open, and now we ignore the red door latch and only use the deadbolt and key.

We removed the red toggle door latch some time ago on our '16 Hawk....there is a thread on this removal somewhere..

 

[rubberlegs]

Well, I guess I didn't quite do it right when I removed the wimpy lock mechanism. I removed almost all the parts, but for some reason I can't recall, I didn't remove the deadbolt part. Guess what? We were on very bumpy roads the past few days and even broke a turnbuckle. I went to the back door at one stop so I could retrieve our InReach device, and found the door wouldn't unlock. Uh-oh. I assumed it was the regular house-type deadbolt. Having no way in Omak, Washington to get all our food, sleep, stay warm, etc. we decided to hire a locksmith. That cost more than a couple nights in a motel (it was getting late on a Sunday).

He didn't think it was the house-type deadbolt, and after fooling around for 20-30 minutes, managed to open the door. It popped and it sounded bad. It turned out that wimpy deadbolt in the door latch had shifted, blocking the door from opening. That part is now safely removed!

Lessons learned (besides removing ALL the wimpy lock parts): InReach should be on our person. Some food and warm clothing should be in the truck cab. Why am I having to learn all this stuff after nearly 500 nights in our camper?

 

[drumwood]

Is there a better quality lock, such as the following, that doesn’t have these problems?

RVLock GripMax Mechanical Entry Handle

Traditional mechanical locks fail when it comes to security and accessibility. The GripMax was designed to revolutionize the standard lock on trailers. The RVLock GripMax will decrease damage to and increase the security of your entry door. Our full-metal construction will last any weather or...

www.rvlock.com

 

[Wallowa]

Well, I guess I didn't quite do it right when I removed the wimpy lock mechanism. I removed almost all the parts, but for some reason I can't recall, I didn't remove the deadbolt part. Guess what? We were on very bumpy roads the past few days and even broke a turnbuckle. I went to the back door at one stop so I could retrieve our InReach device, and found the door wouldn't unlock. Uh-oh. I assumed it was the regular house-type deadbolt. Having no way in Omak, Washington to get all our food, sleep, stay warm, etc. we decided to hire a locksmith. That cost more than a couple nights in a motel (it was getting late on a Sunday).

He didn't think it was the house-type deadbolt, and after fooling around for 20-30 minutes, managed to open the door. It popped and it sounded bad. It turned out that wimpy deadbolt in the door latch had shifted, blocking the door from opening. That part is now safely removed!

Lessons learned (besides removing ALL the wimpy lock parts): InReach should be on our person. Some food and warm clothing should be in the truck cab. Why am I having to learn all this stuff after nearly 500 nights in our camper?

Can you describe or show a picture of the 'deadbolt' fix? How removed and replaced with what?

Thanks...

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

<snip> Why am I having to learn all this stuff after nearly 500 nights in our camper?

To answer your question, there are three kinds of boys…

Boy #1 learns by reading about the topic.
Boy #2 learns by observing others.
Boy #3 (like me) has to p** on the electric fence for himself.

We learn by our mistakes. I have so much to learn.

 

[JWL]

I guess I just like to simplify things too much, so I just took a piece of Gorilla Tape and stuck it over the opening so the dead bolt won’t slide out. And it keeps me from accidentally locking it. It’s still on after several years, lots in extreme heat.

 

[CreekRob]

Can you describe or show a picture of the 'deadbolt' fix? How removed and replaced with what?

Thanks...

I just had my locksmith friend replace it with a sturdier, better quality deadbolt. It's pretty much a standard one, although she added a plate on the door.

 

[Outnabout]

I guess I just like to simplify things too much, so I just took a piece of Gorilla Tape and stuck it over the opening so the dead bolt won’t slide out. And it keeps me from accidentally locking it. It’s still on after several years, lots in extreme heat.

Same fix here. Still all good.

 

[Smokecreek1]

Another version of the same old problem/story-with a twist. This time in my driveway when I was working on my 05 Gramby. I finished up for the day, top was still up, locked her up, and when I came back the next morning, the lock (a new one and it was not that old) was jammed up and I could not turn it to unlock the door (my other unlocking adventures were described here in other threads-post#9, June 15, 2024). Most of my tools were inside the camper, but since I was home, I had some tools to work with. So I did the usual things with no luck and had reached the point of getting in through the emergency exit window and/or removing the door frame and all those horrible destructive things that could follow BUT since I was home I called 3AAA to get a locksmith (since the pop-up was covered)! After a while, they arrived and opened up the lock mechanism from the dead bolt side (right) on the frame and tripped it and we were in!

What was the cause-me, I guess, because I had not yet followed my own to do "before heading out" check lists" and checked the lock mechanism to see if it was getting loose and filled her up with Try-Flow Superior Lubricant (better than WD-40) as recommended by the locksmith who installed the new lock! Well, what can we say-"life is hell on WTW frontier." I also will make sure that from now on, I will leave a few tools and things in a toolbox in the back seat of the truck-just in case I get locked out again!

Smoke