RVLOCK installed on 2017 21' Escape - Page 8

gbaglo · 08-07-2018, 09:38 PM

What I like about the simple keyed lock is that anybody with a key can unlock them.

**rbryan4** · 08-07-2018, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbaglo

What I like about the simple keyed lock is that anybody with a key can unlock them.

Yep, mine will probably work on yours, and vice versa!

Chotch · 08-08-2018, 08:42 AM

🤔 To FOB or not to FOB, that is the question.....

stephen99 · 09-09-2018, 08:59 AM

Because the doors are sealed so well now (2017 - 21 ft) it takes some effort to close the door from the inside. You need to yank on the handle of the lock to get the door closed. Therein lies the problem. The outside piece of the RV Lock is metal but the inside piece is plastic and that's the piece that needs to be yanked on. The original lock was metal inside and out. Last night we realized the handle on the inside was bending quite a bit while pulling on it to close the door. This morning I looked closely and noticed a crack propagating down through the 2 left side screw holes. Much longer and the entire handle will break free. I replaced the RV Lock with the original lock as installed by ETI. Of course, we past the warranty on the RV Lock by a couple months. I won't be buying another one.

Jim Bennett · 09-09-2018, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephen99

Of course, we past the warranty on the RV Lock by a couple months. I won't be buying another one.

I too wish it was metal on the inside pull, but you must really have to be reefing on it hard to cause it to break. I have never really had any concern with the handle breaking, but I do not need to pull very hard to close our door. Maybe there was a flaw in the piece? Have you talked to the company? I had an issue with the key pad cover lifting a wee bit on one side, and they were very quick to send a replacement, though it can be bought cheap if needed too.

stephen99 · 09-09-2018, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

I too wish it was metal on the inside pull, but you must really have to be reefing on it hard to cause it to break. I have never really had any concern with the handle breaking, but I do not need to pull very hard to close our door. Maybe there was a flaw in the piece? Have you talked to the company? I had an issue with the key pad cover lifting a wee bit on one side, and they were very quick to send a replacement, though it can be bought cheap if needed too.

Jim, we've been full timing since we picked up the trailer last July and have used the lock every day. We do need to pull pretty hard to get the door closed and latched. I don't see any kind of flaw in the material. But the line of maximum stress runs right through the 2 screw holes and plastic just isn't a good enough material to handle it. Actually there are 3 holes there including the deadbolt throw. Except for that fatal flaw I like the lock. Very convenient. But until they beef it up I won't be buying another.

Jim Bennett · 09-09-2018, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephen99

Jim, we've been full timing since we picked up the trailer last July and have used the lock every day. We do need to pull pretty hard to get the door closed and latched. I don't see any kind of flaw in the material. But the line of maximum stress runs right through the 2 screw holes and plastic just isn't a good enough material to handle it. Actually there are 3 holes there including the deadbolt throw. Except for that fatal flaw I like the lock. Very convenient. But until they beef it up I won't be buying another.

Stephen, I would still send your feedback to RVlock. Despite it being a negative I would hope they would still take it to heart, and it might get them to realize they should maybe beef that part up. Heck, if they offered a replacement part in metal I bet a lot of folks would be interested in that.

stephen99 · 09-09-2018, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

Stephen, I would still send your feedback to RVlock. Despite it being a negative I would hope they would still take it to heart, and it might get them to realize they should maybe beef that part up. Heck, if they offered a replacement part in metal I bet a lot of folks would be interested in that.

Did that.

Jim Bennett · 09-09-2018, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephen99

Did that.

Great, do let us know what they have to say.

War Eagle · 09-09-2018, 02:49 PM

Perhaps it's just that the door on our 2017 21' doesn't seal as tight as others for some reason, but we have the RVLock and have not experienced the same problem - yet, anyway. But thanks for the heads up. I'll keep an eye on it....

Mike & Donna · 09-09-2018, 06:54 PM

We also have the RV Lock installed and while our interior handle hasn't cracked (yet), we did have to pull pretty hard to make sure the door latched completely.

We installed the Camco Screen Door Crossbar and now use it to close the door. It beefs up the screen door and we no longer have to pull on the RV Lock handle to close the door. We are happy with that solution. It would be nice if RV Lock would improve the strength of the plastic handle but this works for now.

The Quilting Lady · 09-10-2018, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike & Donna

We also have the RV Lock installed and while our interior handle hasn't cracked (yet), we did have to pull pretty hard to make sure the door latched completely.

We installed the Camco Screen Door Crossbar and now use it to close the door. It beefs up the screen door and we no longer have to pull on the RV Lock handle to close the door. We are happy with that solution. It would be nice if RV Lock would improve the strength of the plastic handle but this works for now.

YIKES!!! ordered the rvlock but haven't put it on yet. Didn't know about the plastic interior handle. We have the camco screen door handle but feel that is not very strong either since it is just two little screews that can pull through the metal on the screen door after some use.

Chotch · 09-10-2018, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike & Donna

We also have the RV Lock installed and while our interior handle hasn't cracked (yet), we did have to pull pretty hard to make sure the door latched completely.

We installed the Camco Screen Door Crossbar and now use it to close the door. It beefs up the screen door and we no longer have to pull on the RV Lock handle to close the door. We are happy with that solution. It would be nice if RV Lock would improve the strength of the plastic handle but this works for now.

What connects your screen door to exterior door? On my 5.0 it’s just a piece of plastic that does not look designed to do any more than just hold it against the exterior door. Perhaps adjusting the striker would make the door close a little easier?

LRL · 09-10-2018, 12:28 PM

I sprayed a bit of silicone lube into the workings of the lock, and it made all the difference for me. Door closes and opens super easily now. Probably should have used Teflon or carbon lube, and probably will when it's time to re-spray. Still, the point is that lubricating the moving parts on the lock makes all the difference.

stephen99 · 09-14-2018, 12:30 PM

I contacted RV Lock about the problem. They requested photos so I sent some. Their response was to send me an invoice for $36.98 for a new back piece. I don't think that will be happening.

The problem is not the lock mechanism. It works fine. The striker is adjusted out as far as it will go. The problem is the gasket has to be compressed enough to allow the latch to set and that requires a firm yank on the inside handle. The plastic RV Lock inside piece won't hold up to the force required. It flexes every time the door is closed from the inside and will eventually crack. The original metal lock from ETI actually requires less force to close the door because none of the applied force is used in bending the plastic. We also have the Camco screen door handle but mounted it lower than shown in the photo and it won't do the job.

We use the door every day since we full time and I figure we probably put at least 500 yanks on the plastic piece before it started to fail. I don't want to have to spend $36.98 every year or so for a new plastic part so no more RVLock for me.

gbaglo · 09-14-2018, 12:38 PM

As soon as you admit that you full time in a trailer, you void many guarantees.

Chotch · 09-16-2018, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbaglo

As soon as you admit that you full time in a trailer, you void many guarantees.

Where is that stated anywhere ?

thiggins · 09-16-2018, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chotch

Where is that stated anywhere ?

I've attached pages from our owner's manual.

War Eagle · 09-16-2018, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chotch

Where is that stated anywhere ?

I also recall my wife finding a statement to that effect on some replacement RV mattresses when we were looking to upgrade the mattress in our EggCamper. They simply weren't built well enough to hold up to everyday use.

richardr · 10-11-2018, 09:52 PM

The plastic sheeting over the numbers on the outside of our RVLock has cracked. I contacted RV lock and they sent us a new sheet. We have had the lock less than a year, but use the number pad all the time because we don't like to carry the remote.

Have others had cracks in their plastic sheeting? Is there something anyone does to prevent cracking, other than only using the remote?

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