Exterior access hatch locks

[Nrgtic4]

Originally Posted by Patandlinda

We changed out the lock awhile back . Also bought the cover . You get 4 keys with whatever color you want . The key is round . A little better then the key everyone has going way back Pat

Thanks to everyone who answered! Pete and I really appreciate all the great advice and wisdom we get from this forum!

Pat, did you purchase these locks from the website that I had linked, CH751 RV REPLACEMENT LOCKS, CAM LOCKS, CAMLOCKS ? They offer a few camlocks...it looks like (from your photos) that you purchased their "tubular" camlock and dust covers. Is that right? They look great in your photos and I want to just make sure that I'm ordering the same ones.
Did you just specify a 7/8 inch lock cylinder and reuse your original ETI locking arms?

We had ordered for our 21, one additional hatch on the passenger side for accessing storage under our dinette ( so we thought that we would need just two camlocks) but ETI just wrote that they made a mistake And accidentally gave us a third storage hatch to access storage on driver side under the dinette. They asked if we mind, we said no problem. So now we will order three ( unless something else uses/needs camlocks that we don't know about ? )

One last question, we leave for Chilliwack in three weeks. Are these locks hard to install
( time wise, need for tool wise) Is this something easy to do on our trip or best left to when we get home?

Thanks so much for answering and once again, for all who answered.

[War Eagle]

Lisa & Pete, All I've ever needed to remove and replace our hatch locks is a standard Phillip's head screwdriver to remove/replace the cam bar and a standard pair of pliers to remove/replace the hex nut on the lock itself (I'm sure it would have been more professional to use a correctly-sized boxed-end wrench, but pliers will do fine if you're careful with them). Takes less than a minute. Just be sure to take note of how the cam bar is oriented when you take it off so you can put it back on the new lock in the same orientation.

[ReagentGrade]

Originally Posted by Nrgtic4

Are these locks hard to install (time wise, need for tool wise) Is this something easy to do on our trip or best left to when we get home?

Lisa & Pete,

Easy - peasy

It's a five minute job. A small crescent wrench and a screwdriver should be all you need.

Remove the screw to the locking arm.
Remove the nut on the lock barrel
Slide the old lock out and the new one in
Align the lock and screw the nut down until tight (no need to overdo)
Attach the locking arm
Test the lock with the hatch OPEN
Test it again with the hatch open (different key)
Close the hatch and lock it
Done!

(I see that Dale is much faster than I am. He's not the only one!)

[NW Cat Owner]

Originally Posted by Nrgtic4

We had ordered for our 21, one additional hatch on the passenger side for accessing storage under our dinette ( so we thought that we would need just two camlocks) but ETI just wrote that they made a mistake And accidentally gave us a third storage hatch to access storage on driver side under the dinette.

Well, I guess in terms of mistakes, that's a good one. Good thing you didn't mind. Wonder if it could have been fixed if you didn't want it. I don't use the storage area under the dinette in the passenger side, so a storage door there would be quite nice. I do use the one on the driver's side.

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by Nrgtic4

Thanks to everyone who answered! Pete and I really appreciate all the great advice and wisdom we get from this forum!

Pat, did you purchase these locks from the website that I had linked, CH751 RV REPLACEMENT LOCKS, CAM LOCKS, CAMLOCKS ? They offer a few camlocks...it looks like (from your photos) that you purchased their "tubular" camlock and dust covers. Is that right? They look great in your photos and I want to just make sure that I'm ordering the same ones.
Did you just specify a 7/8 inch lock cylinder and reuse your original ETI locking arms?

We had ordered for our 21, one additional hatch on the passenger side for accessing storage under our dinette ( so we thought that we would need just two camlocks) but ETI just wrote that they made a mistake And accidentally gave us a third storage hatch to access storage on driver side under the dinette. They asked if we mind, we said no problem. So now we will order three ( unless something else uses/needs camlocks that we don't know about ? )

One last question, we leave for Chilliwack in three weeks. Are these locks hard to install
( time wise, need for tool wise) Is this something easy to do on our trip or best left to when we get home?

Thanks so much for answering and once again, for all who answered.

Morning . I purchased from Industrial Lock &Hardware, Inc . Phone number (800)9329490 direct phone number (661)224-1010
Home

I remember I talked to them when I ordered . They had instructions also online . You receive everything. Very easy to change out . Yes I purchased the cover also . It is called Cam Lock Dust Cover . The lock is a cam lock with 4 keys and you chose the color . My paper work says item RTCL 7803. 1 5/8x1/8-NP-01-KA . I would call them and make sure . Hope this helps . Pat

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by Patandlinda

Morning . I purchased from Industrial Lock &Hardware, Inc . Phone number (800)9329490 direct phone number (661)224-1010
Home

I remember I talked to them when I ordered . They had instructions also online . You receive everything. Very easy to change out . Yes I purchased the cover also . It is called Cam Lock Dust Cover . The lock is a cam lock with 4 keys and you chose the color . My paper work says item RTCL 7803. 1 5/8x1/8-NP-01-KA . I would call them and make sure . Hope this helps . Pat

If you are getting 3 doors , you need 3 locks . I think you can get them to all be the same key . But I would give them a call . Pat

[Nrgtic4]

Thanks again, to everyone for all the help! :-)

[Greg A]

Looks like Camco has an RV related one that is an Ace Lock type"
https://www.amazon.com/Camco-44303-A...ce%2Block&th=1

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by Greg A

Looks like Camco has an RV related one that is an Ace Lock type"
https://www.amazon.com/Camco-44303-A...ce%2Block&th=1

Greg have ordered these before for our camper doors . Prefer the ones I purchased for Escape . Pat

[richardr]

I'm trying to figure out if changing my locks is something I should do.

Has anyone had something stolen from their trailer compartment? If so, was this during storage or while camping?

I have seen a number of campers with their outside compartments wide open while camping and I haven't heard of anything being taken out of them.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by richardr

I'm trying to figure out if changing my locks is something I should do.

Has anyone had something stolen from their trailer compartment? If so, was this during storage or while camping?

I have seen a number of campers with their outside compartments wide open while camping and I haven't heard of anything being taken out of them.

I haven't seen it either, but the CH751 locks are common, and thieves certainly have the key for them. I think the whole cam lock replacement thing is maybe more appropriate for the big motor coaches and 5th wheels with the large bays underneath where lots of items are stored. But, changing the lock to a cam lock isn't a bad idea even on a small trailer.

[gbaglo]

We had storage at work that had a similar locks on the cabinets. I got tired of digging out the key, so I just yanked on the cabinet door, bending the cheap tab that was supposed to prevent theft. Didn't need a key from then on.
I'm not suggesting that as a solution, but I don't think you can do much to keep a determined thief out.

[Fox hunt]

I hated having to lock them just to close them I don't keep anything that is that valuable in them anyway

[padlin]

Never heard of anyone stealing anything from them, just don't mark one of the doors BEER.

Like Glen mentions, the little lock lever bends too easy to make the locks worth much of anything, but if it makes you sleep better replace them.

[kstock11]

To me the scary thing is the "access to the inside of the trailer through these doors." I'm not real big and could easily get into my 19 through the hatch!

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by kstock11

To me the scary thing is the "access to the inside of the trailer through these doors." I'm not real big and could easily get into my 19 through the hatch!

You must be REALLY small. No way we could get into the trailer through that hatch. [emoji1]

[Greg A]

Originally Posted by kstock11

To me the scary thing is the "access to the inside of the trailer through these doors." I'm not real big and could easily get into my 19 through the hatch!

I would love it if you could post a video of this feat.

[wetzk]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

You must be REALLY small. No way we could get into the trailer through that hatch. [emoji1]

In the new ones its easy. I'm 6'1" 187 Lbs and I can crawl through mine. I was halfway in it this morning as a matter of fact looking for where I hid a bag of vinyl gloves.
I found them later hidden in a cardboard box in the storage box.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by wetzk

In the new ones its easy. I'm 6'1" 187 Lbs and I can crawl through mine. I was halfway in it this morning as a matter of fact looking for where I hid a bag of vinyl gloves.
I found them later hidden in a cardboard box in the storage box.

I guess the "new" ones are taller then? On my 19 I can't even get my fat head through the hatch, let alone anything else.

[Moaboy]

U might consider a Combi lock, size 7/8. That's all u need to know re measurements. Available on Amazon and from many rv parts stores. I've used them before and they work great. Best of all-no key to lose, u do have to remember a 3 digit code, like maybe ur birthday and month or whatever 3 numbers works for u as u can easily reset the code.