Door Latch

[specter1000]

So there we were, the night before heading up to Mackinac Island and the UP, HiLo all loaded and ready to go we just need to fill the fridge...and my wife locked us out of the trailer. Now how did she do that you might ask...

Let me pass on this info, because I never knew myself:

The latch on your trailer has 2 locks. One is a latch lock and the other is a deadbolt. The latch lock is easy, put the key in, turn the lock, remove the key. The deadbolt....well....NEVER, NEVER, NEVER put the key in, turn the lock, and pull out the key! If you do, a locksmith will costs $65 for 10 seconds of lock picking. You always turn the deadbolt and RETURN THE KEY TO THE 12 O'CLOCK POSITION BEFORE REMOVING IT! The only way to fix a lock with the key pulled out at 9 or 3 o'clock position is to pick it....do not jam a screwdriver in or hammer your key into the lock...it will cost you more in the long run.

Now you know what I do....if you didn't already.

 

[hilltool]

I once had to enter through the kitchen window to unlock our door. I have a new door and locks, now, and don't seem to have the same problem.

Rick

 

[JackandJanet]

I'll have to check mine and see if it works that way. I've always turned back to 12:00 O'Clock on both locks. Don't think I've ever tried to pull the key out in the lock position.

I'll do this with the door open, of course. If something bad happens, I can just replace the lock.

- Jack

 

[JackandJanet]

OK, with the door open (so I wouldn't be locked out) I checked my door latches. The deadbolt latch allows me to insert or remove the key when it's in the 12:00 or 3:00 (unlocked) positions. If the key is in the 9:00 O'clock (lock) position, the key can't be pulled out, at least not without forcing it, which I did not do. So, it appears there is some "safety" element incorporated in my lock.

I also realized I don't bother with the "handle" latch lock. It has two positions: 12:00 (unlock) and 3:00 (lock). The key goes in or out in either position.

But, I'd suggest everyone should check their locks like I did to avoid being locked out of your trailer in some remote camping spot, which would be sad indeed!

- Jack

 

[specter1000]

our locksmith told us he gets called to the local rv site at least 100x per year for this exact issue....