Locked Out by Handle Lock

[travdes]

The handle lock locked itself with both keys still in the trailer. When left the trailer and closed the exterior door and realized we left the keys hanging on the hook. So when we attempted to go back in the handle was locked.

Of course this happened at 1030pm, so I just pulled hard on the handle lock and broke it but we got in :-)

Anyone know what the cause might be so I can avoid this in the future? I'll be contacting ETI today to order a replacement.

[sclifrickson]

It’s possible to lock the outside handle yet still operate the inside handle. So if someone were to unlock and open the door, but then turn the keys to the locked position - with the door open - and *then* remove the keys and go in, you now have an outside handle that’s locked and an inside handle that’s unlocked. (The interior lock locks the deadbolt only, but does not affect the outside handle). So now you’re inside the trailer, unaware that the outside handle is locked. You open the door to go out and it operates normally. You step outside with the keys inside, close the door and you have now locked yourself out.

[War Eagle]

My wife and I each carry a spare key on a neck lanyard whenever we step outside our camper for any reason. Once you get used to it, you forget you have it. I found myself looking for my lanyard once before realizing that I already had it on.

[tractors1]

I keep a full set of trailer keys in the glovebox of my tow just for insurance...........

[GoCampBC]

We installed the RVLock V4.0 which has a keypad that can operate the deadbolt without a key. It sounds like a gimmick, but is actually very convenient and our primary method of locking the trailer when camping. Like others, we also carry a physical key in the truck in case of emergency.

[EdColorado]

Originally Posted by tractors1

I keep a full set of trailer keys in the glovebox of my tow just for insurance...........

Ditto.
Plus a full set of tow vehicle keys in the trailer. Plus a tow vehicle key stashed under the tow vehicle in one of those key boxes in case I lose the TV key while out hiking.

Be prepared I was taught in the scouts.

Ed

[JaneM.]

This happened to us too and now we don’t close the door without a set of keys. When it happened, we were lucky enough that the outer storage door was unlocked and one of us is small enough to crawl through it and out from under the bed (we have a 21), but I wouldn’t recommend this method of accessing your trailer!

[sclifrickson]

Originally Posted by GoCampBC

We installed the RVLock V4.0 which has a keypad that can operate the deadbolt without a key.

I like the idea of these locks, with a couple of caveats. I keep waiting to see when they come out with V5, and hope that it has a solid metal interior handle, instead of the plastic one that many have reported breaks easily.