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Old 04-18-2018, 10:09 AM   #1
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Can't open the door

The top lock (not the deadbolt) on our 2013 19 is broken, and I can't open it. Luckily, we are home, with the trailer in the driveway.

Not sure what the best course of action is...
Take the door off ( I think I can do that)
Or take it to the local RV dealer and have them do it.

Any advice?
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Old 04-18-2018, 10:24 AM   #2
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When my lock failed I just removed the door to get inside. when reinstalling I put some Proflex on the screws.
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Old 04-18-2018, 10:30 AM   #3
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So you're outside and your key can't open/unlock the door? Here's my door lock from the inside. There must be a way to unlatch it without unscrewing the door hinges. Good luck.
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Old 04-18-2018, 10:30 AM   #4
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I would just take the door off. I believe I've seen a recommendation in the past from ETI to take the door off the trailer, not the hinges off the door.
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Old 04-18-2018, 10:40 AM   #5
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Thechfan wrote this when he had a similar problem.

"...Apparently, according to the locksmith, one of the small discs that is supposed to retain the key and prevent it from being removed in the wrong position, gave out and was extended preventing the key from now being inserted. He used some of his small key tools to force the disc back and insert a key. He recommended NOT locking the deadbolt from the outside. Needless to say, we will only use the deadbolt from the inside. Seems strange that a $20,000 plus RV can be stymied by a $20 lock mechanism but the locksmith said he makes good money opening malfunctioning RV locks...."
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Old 04-18-2018, 10:46 AM   #6
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After trying to make it better...Yesterday I thought it was frozen as we had a ton of rain and cold temps...It looks like this.

A quick search says I can buy an entire assembly which is probably the way to go. We replaced the cylinder(s) during the recall a couple of years ago.

I wonder what happens if I force a screw driver in their to open it?
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Old 04-18-2018, 10:52 AM   #7
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So, that would be a Fastec lock? I would phone them and discuss. I got great service from them when they walked me through replacing the cylinder.
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Old 04-18-2018, 10:52 AM   #8
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THAT looks ugly. Wonder if using a couple very very tiny screwdrivers and manipulating them in there like you're a TV detective picking a lock is worth a try.
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Old 04-18-2018, 10:59 AM   #9
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I would do as described above, take the door off the hinges. Once off, I would lay the door with the inner side up on a pair of sawhorses. Remove the four screws that hold the lock “plates” together carefully and hold on to the outer half so it does not fall onto the floor. Once the inner half is lifted away you will see two flat head machine screws, use a screwdriver to try to tighten them up. If they are already tight, your problem is in failure of the lock cylinder. If the screws are loose there is/was too much play where the cylinder engages the handle and flipper that pulls the latch “bolt” back to clear the frame plate “strike” and allows you to open the door. I am assuming this is the fastec lock mechanism, which had a huge recall. Find the fastec site and see if you can get free new cylinders. Do not put loctite on any screws that go into plastic. If you do all this which won’t take long you may get by for no out of pocket expense. Or you can put the door in your tow vehicle and haul it to a lock and key outfit and at least save the cost of a service call. That’s how I fixed ours on the 19 at no cost. YMMV
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Old 04-18-2018, 11:02 AM   #10
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I type pretty slow so my answer reflected what I knew when I started typing. If your familiar with the inside perhaps it will be easier for you.
Thanks
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Old 04-18-2018, 11:03 AM   #11
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Quote:
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I would do as described above, take the door off the hinges.
Iowa Dave
No, take the hinges off the body. That's recommended by ETI.
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Old 04-18-2018, 11:15 AM   #12
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With the Mission Impossible theme playing in my head I fooled around with the lock and removed the broken internal weather cover. At least I think that's what it is. A tiny spring came out with a couple of pieces of broken metal and the chrome bezel. Then the key worked.

So...now I'll see what it takes to purchase the replacement parts. I need to figure all this out before Candy gets home from work. But now the door is open and we can start to get ready for a quick trip to Utah.

I knew I could count on you guys to tell me to get the tools out!
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Old 04-18-2018, 11:18 AM   #13
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We’re the inner screws tight or loose. From Dirty Harry. “ I gots to know, I gots to know.”
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Old 04-18-2018, 11:35 AM   #14
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It seems that everything is tight. Having said that, last fall on a trip I noticed that the screws on the plate that guides the striker/latch were loose. I did add locktite to those. Something went wrong with the cylinder this tim.
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Old 04-18-2018, 11:39 AM   #15
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HooHAH! Good job.
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Old 04-18-2018, 11:46 AM   #16
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At some point you could replace the entire lock with one from RVLock. We (meaning Dirk) finally got around to replacing ours, after buying the thing about a year ago. Yeah, some projects take longer than others.

I love being able to use the numbered keypad for when I don't feel like digging out the key.

If you do get one, sign up for their email list and keep an eye on their facebook page. They have sales quite frequently and especially around any holiday. And I mean any holiday.

Others on this forum also have this lock.

https://www.rvlock.com/
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Old 04-18-2018, 12:02 PM   #17
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Originally Posted by NW Cat Owner View Post
At some point you could replace the entire lock with one from RVLock. We (meaning Dirk) finally got around to replacing ours, after buying the thing about a year ago. Yeah, some projects take longer than others.

I love being able to use the numbered keypad for when I don't feel like digging out the key.

If you do get one, sign up for their email list and keep an eye on their facebook page. They have sales quite frequently and especially around any holiday. And I mean any holiday.

Others on this forum also have this lock.

https://www.rvlock.com/
Hi: NW Cat Owner... But what happens in a "Brain freeze"? Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
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Old 04-18-2018, 12:24 PM   #18
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Hi: NW Cat Owner... But what happens in a "Brain freeze"? Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
That's why you have the key as a backup. Plus, we picked a code that even Dirk can remember (he's horrible on remembering numbers) so he's my mental backup.
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Old 04-18-2018, 12:36 PM   #19
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Memry

Quote:
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Hi: NW Cat Owner... But what happens in a "Brain freeze"? Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
Down here if we did not get love and hate tattooed on each hand when younger on your four fingers we are now getting tattoos with door or safe combinations, last four digits of your social, phone number etc, just below your knuckles. Stay away from nines and sixes.
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Old 04-18-2018, 12:54 PM   #20
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That's why you have the key as a backup. Plus, we picked a code that even Dirk can remember (he's horrible on remembering numbers) so he's my mental backup.
Hi: NW Cat Owner... I can get my "Back up" very easily these days. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
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