RV Compartment Keys and locks (exterior) BWAA-HA-HA! What a joke...

Greywolf · #1 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007, 09:20 PM

LOOK AT your key - it has "CH751" marked on it, doesn't it?

Well guess what. That key fits ever single trailers outer compartments in the park...

But there is good news here (kinda sucks for an RV Tech when the word gets out), with a flat or phillips driver, and a small to medium crescent wench you can remove that lock, go to any hardware store, (DON'T show them the key to it!) and say "This is from my GUN display case. Someone got one of my keys, and I need a new lock..."

They will sell you a lock just like it with A UNIQUE KEY that can't be opened by trailer park scavengers.

TRUTH! It's a common lock style for cabinets. Before you leave the hardware store, or even pay for it - try your CH-751 key in it to make sure it won't open with it...

This will give you added security

cmpd1781 · #2 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007, 09:53 PM

Good advice.......Mostly keep extra gas bottles, lantern, crap like that in it......But if you happen to be OUT of that stuff, I guess a scavenger will find it valuable indeed.....

So they're ALL labelled CH751, huh?.......(haha)........thought it was just mine!!!

twayneb · #3 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007, 10:10 PM

Man, you're right and mine is a 12 year old unit.

Greywolf · #4 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007, 10:12 PM

Standard equipment on most.
Don't you just luv it?

Want to blow your neighboring campers mind?
Walk right over and unlock his or her compartments for them...

mechmagcn · #5 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007, 11:31 PM

I don't keep anything of real value in the storage compartments, so I'd rather leave the CH751 locks than have the doors detroyed by a thief with a large screwdriver. The doors on most rigs and the levers on most of the locks are easily bent anyway.
And really if you look at it this way, A good lock will only keep an honest person out anyway.

bigtexan99 · #6 (**permalink**) 03-24-2007, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greywolf

go to any hardware store, (DON'T show them the key to it!) and say "This is from my GUN display case. Someone got one of my keys, and I need a new lock..."

Is there some reason they would not just sell you the lock? Most stores I go to don't ask why I want something, they just want to sell something. Heck, the minimum wage clerks don't even care if you buy something or not.

Greywolf · #7 (**permalink**) 03-24-2007, 11:01 AM

I look at it this way - if a lock provides enough hassle-factor that something drastic has to be done to force it, there's a better chance someone will notice a thief trying to break in. If it just opens right up, the thief would look like they belonged where they were.

I also figure that if someone is told the lock is from a gun display they might be moved to find the best lock for the job. Very often I run across clerks that will insist that you get the original item, because they have never modified anything themselves or ever considered it.

I remember one at an auto parts place in Norfolk that would not sign off on the warrantee for a truck battery because (quote) it was not the right one.

Hell! I was getting one with more cranking amps than the original for a very good reason!!! But you can't convince a common clerk of anything that isn't in their computer these days.

nubeee1 · #8 (**permalink**) 03-24-2007, 11:16 AM

Greywolf; I just ordered my new 5th wheel on Wednesday,(factory order) and your telling me you have the keys before I get them? Can I order special locks from the factory?............... WOW, Thanks for the heads up!!

jim henderson · #9 (**permalink**) 03-24-2007, 02:35 PM

Yeah, the dealer told me the same thing when I bought mine in 98. Said it was so trailer park managers could open things if you lost your key, he seemed to imply even the main doors had a master. On mine at least, the main door IS different from the storage cabinets.

Once again, locks really only keep honest people honest. The theives will easily break into most trailer storage cabinets, they are flimsy as heck and really only lock usually in one corner or one spot, so a fat screwdriver would be all you need to force the door.

As a side note, I once did lock my main key in the trailer. My niece who was about 8 then was able to wiggle thru one of my windows, which at the time were all shut and assumed latched. I don't know which one she and her dad were able to open enough to wiggle thru, but I am guessing it was the vertical slider which I think just has "stops" in the frame and maybe none at the bottom of the "slide". So yet another emergency fix for us and maybe I just told thieves how to get into some trailers too.

My experience,

Jim Henderson

Greywolf · #10 (**permalink**) 03-24-2007, 06:38 PM

I have a near complete set of masters for most trailers and even class "A" diesel pushers - but I'm a professional. The average Joe (or Joan) won't have any of those, because they have to be ordered by a registered dealer. I don't know if a park manager would have them or not. There are some mighty crummy RV parks out there, so I hope not. LOGIC tells me that if you deadbolted your trailer - you had your keys with you when you were standing outside it.

DEAD BOLT locks on the entry doors are another story - you can't open them with a master key no matter how many keys you have.

-On that note, if you drop off an RV to be serviced - PLEASE don't lock the deadbolt. Even if you leave your keys, it makes it a hassle...