[p]Odds are it does so I've read. I've just learned that a large number of RV's share the exact same storage compartment keys. So anyone that has my key can open their compartments. Who was the genius that decided to do this? You open a compartment and climb inside the trailer....sheesh[/p][p]
[/p][p]With locks like this who needs a locksmith? Or maybe that is the reason? Is this a myth or a nightmare?[/p][p]
[/p][p]I dunno. Figured I'd vent a bit. Just a newb venting here. I hope this guy on Love your RV is wrong.[/p][p]
[/p][p][video src="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_2cDvMmIBI&feature=player_detailpage"][/video][/p]
It's true sadly. The salesman at our dealership explained it to us, and highly recommended changing out the locks (which I plan to do but haven't done yet). He said that just about any camping trailer made in the last 20 years has the exact same key for the storage compartments. He said it is great for them at the dealership, because they can carry one key and are able to open the storage compartments on all the trailers on the lot...
This is incredible. Makes me wonder about the door keys now.
I wonder how many other dunderheads are out there just like me. I was clueless to this. I feel violated... (puke)
I don't think this is true of the door keys, just the storage compartment keys. That is what our salesman said anyway...
At one of the more relaxed dealers last summer a salesman just handed me the "red key". We were able to open any trailer on the lot regardless of make and model. I'm assumeing either there's a monopoly on the locks, or multiple companies make the same format keyed lock.
[font size="3"]Years ago the manufacturers and dealers got together and decided it would be easier if all storage locks were the same so salesmen didn't have to carry dozens of keys. The dealers were supposed to change out the locks befoe delivery. Well, the manufacturers did their part, but the dealers never changed the locks upon sale. Several replacement options are available both keyed and combination. I prefer the combination type
[a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_9?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=combi-cam%20lock&sprefix=combi-cam%2Caps%2C236"]http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_9?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=combi-cam%20lock&sprefix=combi-cam%2Caps%2C236[/a]
instead of another key, but there are ways to get locks keyed to your door lock. The door locks are "unique" in that they don't all start out the same at the factory. However, there is a finite number of different keys just due to the geometry of the key blank. Somewhere out there someone has your door key. Hopefully not at the next campsite ;).
[/font]
I had occasion to get an extra door key made, so I went to a locksmith and put the question to him.
He told me the keys are NOT the same, but that the locks are designed such that they will all open with the different keys - EXCEPT the deadbolt. He said if you use the deadbolt, other people's keys will not work. If you just use the non-deadbolt door lock, yep it can be opened with any key.
[p]Seems the folks at Forest River are offering something more on those R-Pods than just eye candy after all. We saw the combo locks on them as gimmicky, possibly unreliable. It's my flaw not theirs. I've learned again but at least this time before an event occurred.
My basic essentials list keeps getting longer. It's supposed to be getting shorter by now![/p][p]
[/p][p]Truth is I do enjoy tinkering with stuff but mostly when I don't HAVE to do it. This seems like a must have. Good to know the deadbolts offer some security. The false sense of security on the other locks threw me for a loop. That is dangerous stuff IMO. I gig my dealer for not informing me. He probably thought that since I was such a cheap skate I wouldn't have bought them from him anyways....heh
[/p]
I swapped out one of my storage area key locks for one of [a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Combi-Cam-7850R-L-Combination-Chrome-Finish/dp/B000W7DBWA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426883141&sr=8-1&keywords=rv+combination+door+lock"]THESE[/a] combination locks. My reason wasn't so much security as convenience, I thought it would be nice not to have to get the key, HA! That's what I get for thinking! Lock was fine, but because I've reached that magical age where you can't do a darn thing without reading glasses I couldn't read the dang lock numbers!
[font size="3"]The Forest River punt was a push button electric lock on the main door. It was offered as part of their Princess upgrade package on Rpods, maybe others too. I heard lots of folks buying the locks at a F.R.O.G. rally one year. Turns out they were huge source of grief. FR dropped them, along with a fancy kitchen faucet, very quickly. The Combi-Cam locks I mentioned are good old turn the dial type and are only for the storage lockers.
As far as keys fitting multiple non dead bolt door locks, I'm not totally sure of that. The locks on the Rpod were made by the same company the makes the CL locks, and maybe many others. The company issued a recall due to a reliability problem and posted a list of lock numbers. Anyone, even those not on the list, could exchange their locks by mail so I did. The company sent me new cylinders for the handle lock and dead bolt, an installation tool, and two new keys. I'm thinking, since the fault only exhibited on the handle lock, why would they needed to send me both cylinders and a new set of keys if my old key would fit the new handle lock? Oh well, enough wasted brain cells on this on.
[/font]
Found the original door key on our 2010 CampLite would work in most CampLite TT doors except for 2015 models. Learned this while visiting dealerships looking at CampLite TTs. Purchased & installed another door lock keyed differently a few years ago after learning this. My old key will not open my new lock, but same manufacturer & different key #.
[quote source="/post/8248/thread" author="@exploringcarolina" timestamp="1426936045"]Found the original door key on our 2010 CampLite would work in most CampLite TT doors except for 2015 models. Learned this while visiting dealerships looking at CampLite TTs. Purchased & installed another door lock keyed differently a few years ago after learning this. My old key will not open my new lock, but same manufacturer & different key #.
[/quote][font size="3"]Bill,
Let me make sure I understand you. You're saying the locks in the door handle can be opened with almost any other same type key? The same is NOT true of the deadbolt keys/locks. Did you try your old 2010 key in any deadbolts on the lot? Maybe by accident I always use the deadbolt and hardly ever use the handle lock. If I understand you correctly, the handle lock is essentially useless. Maybe it keeps kids from running in and out, but not much more.
[/font]
My storage area key works on other CL's. But thats why I have insurance.
[quote source="/post/8251/thread" timestamp="1426943679" author="@charliem"][quote source="/post/8248/thread" timestamp="1426936045" author="@exploringcarolina"]Found the original door key on our 2010 CampLite would work in most CampLite TT doors except for 2015 models. Learned this while visiting dealerships looking at CampLite TTs. Purchased & installed another door lock keyed differently a few years ago after learning this. My old key will not open my new lock, but same manufacturer & different key #.
[/quote][font size="3"]Bill,
Let me make sure I understand you. You're saying the locks in the door handle can be opened with almost any other same type key? The same is NOT true of the deadbolt keys/locks. Did you try your old 2010 key in any deadbolts on the lot? Maybe by accident I always use the deadbolt and hardly ever use the handle lock. If I understand you correctly, the handle lock is essentially useless. Maybe it keeps kids from running in and out, but not much more.
[/font][/quote]Charlie,
My original key worked in other CampLite TT door handles except for 2015 CampLite TTs, don't recall trying it in other CampLite dead bolts, so can't answer the dead bolt question.
The original key will not work in the door handle or dead bolt assembly I installed later.
The original door lock/dead bolt from LivinLite and later door lock/dead bolt from Camping World are identical except for being keyed differently.
PM sent
All great info here guys. Thanks.
My selling dealer confirmed what Pinstiper posted above. Only the deadbolt lock provides any security; all other locks can be universally opened unless you replace the locks.
Thanks for the info on this thread, I just purchased the black combi locks that charliem noted on Amazon.
I'm on the fence about this one. I considered changing the lock cylinders. They're easy to order with a different key. But the two schools of thought that keep arising are: 1. A thief can do a lot of damage using a crowbar rather than entering with a key. Camper doors are not all that strong even with new lock mechanisms. 2. Might be nice to borrow a CH751 off your neighbor the next time you lock yourself out. Happened to a campsite neighbor a couple months ago. She must have locked the entry latch and not the deadbolt.
Regarding the crowbar thought, I doubt that it would take anything bigger than a large screw driver to defeat that little blade on the back of a typical lock cylinder. Most campers have at least one storage door that can get you inside the camper.
For a true pro theses locks mean nothing. They hinder a crackhead or young hooligans from getting it. If someone wants in I think it would be an easy job. A screwdriver and a hammer will easily suffice. This is why I have insurance rather then changing locks.
Someone hammering into a trailer is kind of obvious. Someone stooping down with a key looks normal. Insurance is a must in both cases. I guess what I'm trying to say is we wouldn't leave the storage compartments wide open to go to the beach for the day. But everyone having the same key is similar except for the squirrels.
Someone hammering into a trailer is kind of obvious. Someone stooping down with a key looks normal. Insurance is a must in both cases. I guess what I'm trying to say is we wouldn't leave the storage compartments wide open to go to the beach for the day. But everyone having the same key is similar except for the squirrels getting in.
I wasn't aware we could lock ourselves out without the keys. I need to check that out. Might be a good case for not doing that one lock or storing a spare in a hidey hole.
So..... I just today in playing around with my keys discovered that my garden shed door lock is also CH751. I wonder if all garden sheds are the same like trailers?
I have a hell of a lot more expensive stuff in my garden shed than my trailer. No, I won't tell where I live!
We can for sure lock ourselves out. Just close the door with the latch locked and the key inside the trailer and presto, locked out.
Yes ours do as well.
[quote timestamp="1426974033" author="@nd1979" source="/post/8279/thread"]Thanks for the info on this thread, I just purchased the black combi locks that charliem noted on Amazon.[/quote][font size="3"]The installation of the Combi-Cam locks is not difficult, but not straightforward either. You probably will want to use some of the original parts and the washer has to be installed on the outside to avoid an interference fit with the knob. Read the thread on this and read all the way to the end where TinkeringTechie provides pictures.
[a href="http://livinlite.proboards.com/thread/16/mods-21rbs"]http://livinlite-owners.com/thread/16/mods-21rbs[/a]
[/font]
Thanks charliem......good install info and pictures.
[p]I hade this same thing happen to me this past year!!!! While camping at the Ocean Lakes Resorts in Myrtle Beach, I lost my keys to our storage. My neighbor at the site next to me informed me most keys are universal and to not worry because the sell the keys in the store located on property. Well to make a long story short and about $10 later I had the storage door open and a new set of keys. [/p]
I replaced mine with these
https://www.amazon.com/Combi-Cam-7850R-M-Chrome-Medium-Combinated/dp/B000W7GC5S/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1466781173&sr=8-4&keywords=trailer+compartment+locks
they work great.
[quote timestamp="1466781314" source="/post/22481/thread" author="@craigd"]I replaced mine with these
https://www.amazon.com/Combi-Cam-7850R-M-Chrome-Medium-Combinated/dp/B000W7GC5S/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1466781173&sr=8-4&keywords=trailer+compartment+locks
they work great.[/quote]I did the same thing, but they are mighty hard to turn, the knurling isn't all that great and it's just a chrome plated circle to twist.
[quote source="/post/22505/thread" author="@pinstriper" timestamp="1466821234"][quote source="/post/22481/thread" author="@craigd" timestamp="1466781314"]I replaced mine with these
https://www.amazon.com/Combi-Cam-7850R-M-Chrome-Medium-Combinated/dp/B000W7GC5S/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1466781173&sr=8-4&keywords=trailer+compartment+locks
they work great.[/quote]I did the same thing, but they are mighty hard to turn, the knurling isn't all that great and it's just a chrome plated circle to twist.
[/quote]Is your combination 751?? ;-|
[quote timestamp="1466821234" source="/post/22505/thread" author="@pinstriper"][quote timestamp="1466781314" source="/post/22481/thread" author="@craigd"]I replaced mine with these
https://www.amazon.com/Combi-Cam-7850R-M-Chrome-Medium-Combinated/dp/B000W7GC5S/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1466781173&sr=8-4&keywords=trailer+compartment+locks
they work great.[/quote]I did the same thing, but they are mighty hard to turn, the knurling isn't all that great and it's just a chrome plated circle to twist.
[/quote]You may have to put one of the washers on the back side to get it out more mine is snug but not tight. Breaking the seal to open it sometimes is a problem if the door was sitting in the sun. I took the handle portion from the old lock and smashed it in a vice and then re-bent it so it would fit behind the new lock and it helps some. As a last resort I always carry a beer opener and it is great for prying it open, LOL.