Well that figures.

Maybe we need to invent a lock defroster for this nasty problem. Maybe something with a little kapton heater or something? Could be a good reason to add another switch on the dash

 

I figured I was safe. I hosed those keyholes down pretty good with the fluid film. I used a screw to prop open the flap and had them dripping. Then I worked the locks back and forth a few times to work it in. Then they froze.

Maybe I need to pack them with grease? It would have to be a very low temp grade that doesn't liquify and run out warmer than 32deg...

 

This morning I had to unfreeze one of my handles

Sooooo, I rigged up a 10ohm/25W power resistor to the +12V & GND from the 7-pole trailer plug to make a little heater. Thawed it out in about 20 seconds.

I'll post up pics once I get the finished product done. Below is a link to the type of resistor I used....
Digi-Key - 825F10RE-ND (Manufacturer - 825F10RE)

I looked into the little kapton heaters and while they are definitely promising, and would be really slick, I haven't found anyone selling the small disc shaped ones in small quantities.

 

Sorry, but this handle freezing stuff is BS, and not something you should have to deal with on a cap. You wouldn't accept having to thaw out your door handles every time you wanted to get in the truck, and you shouldn't have to do it on a cap either.

Thankfully I've never had that problem with either of my ARE's, and if I did, you can bet they would be dealing with it.

 

Nope, no BS, they really do freeze up at times. For mine, the conditions have to be right as in... get a snow that lays on them, then a thaw, then a re-freeze. That's what gets mine. That, or just a blatent ice storm, that'll do it too.

I have had that a few times in the past on the door locks of my '84 Ranger and my '94 Explorer. Maybe I haven't noticed it on my F250 because of keyless entry. Again, the conditions have to be right. Oh, and get this.... sometimes, the entire door gets froze shut around the perimeter! Maybe that's just the way it is around here.

Given that I didn't buy the cap new, I can't really go complain to the dealer. So, I'll fix the problem with a simple solution. Its not like I have to deal with this daily, weekly, or even monthly. I've had my cap through three winters so far and they've only froze up half a dozen times or so. I won't complain about having to thaw it out a few times a year.

Edit -- you oughtta go to google and search for "lock de-icer". There's a wide variety of products to solve this problem, and they aren't just talking about truck caps either. From my experience, the little spray cans don't work too well. Haven't tried any of the battery powered rigs, they might be ok.

 

I'm not calling BS on the fact that they freeze up, I know that happens. It's just BS that you have to put up with it.

 

I just picked up my F-350 in Salt Lake City and drove it back to Southern CA. I had a Leer 122 put on it and the shop still didn't have the latches adjusted right when I left SLC. They are coordinating with a shop down here to help out.
First the T-handles wouldn't turn far enough to lock, so they bent the clevis that the latch plates fit into on the cap, that loosened the rivets up so I made them re-rivet. Then they decided to replace the latch plates that were dog legged with flat ones, found out today that they are about a 1/2" too short and as the top shakes back and forth going over bumps, the latch plates slip out of the clevis and get stuck in side the aluminum frame around the opening and lodge behind the rivets. Guess that's why the original ones were dog legged. On top of all that Leer neglected to ship the tower, rails and kayak rack or the 3 outlet power block so those are getting drop shipped to the house and I need to take them to a dealer to get wired in.

Oh yeah, the movers show up to pack us up on the 4th of Jan and I drive cross country for my change of station orders no later than the 11th.

Besides the topper drama, I sure do like that truck, though. Pictures soon.