RV Door Key

[DBTexas]

My girlfriend recently came for a visit, and I had forgotten to leave my spare key out in the agreed spot for her to get in. Ruh-Roh!!!
Well, I would never have even considered what she did ... she took the door key from her Forest River Salem Lite ... and it opened my door!! I verified it when I got home.

Has anyone ever had this somewhat odd (and troubling) experience?

[chuckster57]

Is the key code the same on both? There is only a finite number of combinations.

[Bill-2020]

Originally Posted by DBTexas

My girlfriend recently came for a visit, and I had forgotten to leave my spare key out in the agreed spot for her to get in. Ruh-Roh!!!
Well, I would never have even considered what she did ... she took the door key from her Forest River Salem Lite ... and it opened my door!! I verified it when I got home.

Has anyone ever had this somewhat odd (and troubling) experience?

Can't say that we have. However I've rekeyed all the other compartment doors to match the entrance door, one key for everything instead of 3. We have a hidden key to the camper so that if we should somehow lose the main key while we're out and about, we can get back in when we return. That key is then removed when we're home.

[JRTJH]

There are, I believe, 34 "key codes" in the HF lock series and 51 "key codes" in the CW series of locks. That means, on the average, that your key will open 1 in every 42 trailer doors. The chances of your GF's key fitting your trailer is 42.5:1... Your chances of someone in a campground where there's 120 trailers is probably 3 or 4 other trailers will have the same key. It's not as "prevalent as 100% like it is with the 751 baggage lock key, but there are only a limited number of "key sets" used on RV's.....

[DBTexas]

Thank you guys! You both provided very good and interesting responses. Much appreciated!!

[travelin texans]

Also if your compartments use the CH751 key you'll be able to open the compartments of most of the RVs wherever you're parked.

[wiredgeorge]

News Flash! Reuters
10/13/2020


Beasley Texas has experienced a unprecedented rash of recreational vehicle break ins. Someone has looted dozens of RV baggage compartments in the area and made off with dozens of camp chairs and several Trailer King tires. The suspect is described as a deranged looking individual holding a key stamped CH751. It is suspected that this individual has an accomplice described as old and sometimes a bit grumpy looking individual. If you see either of these individuals contact the Keystone Forums Weight Police Unit. Take care not to approach either as they are considered unarmed but very dangerous.

[nellie1289]

i can confirm that my door lock/mechanims is the biggest pile ever, replaced 3 times, 2 on warranty, once on my own, the center part just falls out, i now only use the deadbolt. and am super careful on entry and exit.

[BrooksFam]

What are the recommended baggage compartment lock replacements?

[Javi]

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

News Flash! Reuters
10/13/2020


Beasley Texas has experienced a unprecedented rash of recreational vehicle break ins. Someone has looted dozens of RV baggage compartments in the area and made off with dozens of camp chairs and several Trailer King tires. The suspect is described as a deranged looking individual holding a key stamped CH751. It is suspected that this individual has an accomplice described as old and sometimes a bit grumpy looking individual. If you see either of these individuals contact the Keystone Forums Weight Police Unit. Take care not to approach either as they are considered unarmed but very dangerous.

I just checked our inventory on cabinet locks and key sets... I have 11,591 CH751 keysets so that's 23,182 individual keys..

[bsmith0404]

The main door lock is not as secure as the deadbolt. For example, my master key that I use at the dealership will open just about every RV door, but it will not open any of the deadbolts. I always lock the deadbolt on my RV. With that in mind, if you ever lose your keys, it’ll probably take a locksmith to get you in, or someone good at picking locks.

[JGEORGE]

Originally Posted by BrooksFam

What are the recommended baggage compartment lock replacements?

I use these, locks are great. But order extra keys, my first one wore out in a year(6-7 trips).

https://shoprvlocks.com/product/tubu...1-replacement/

[Alermon32]

Is it a weak point of your RV?
I'm sorry, but if every RV has the same problems with the locks on the door?

[Javi]

Originally Posted by Alermon32

Is it a weak point of your RV?
I'm sorry, but if every RV has the same problems with the locks on the door?

These trailers aren't brick & mortar they're fiberglass, aluminum and lauan paneling.. two minutes or less with a cordless sawzall and you're end..

Me... while I'd rather not be stolen from, I'd rather they use a key than tear up a bunch of stuff to get in..

Old adage... Locks are for honest people

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by Javi

These trailers aren't brick & mortar they're fiberglass, aluminum and lauan paneling.. two minutes or less with a cordless sawzall and you're end..

Me... while I'd rather not be stolen from, I'd rather they use a key than tear up a bunch of stuff to get in..

Old adage... Locks are for honest people

Most RVs can be gotten into quicker with a large screwdriver or pry bar than you can with your key when it works properly.

[flybouy]

I rekeyed our trailer to match the front door. I did this for 2 reasons.
1. I seemed to get the wrong key with great frequency. Yes, I used the colored key identifiers, etc. but still had the issue.
2. At one storage lot I discovered the front compartment (751) key had been emptied out over one winter season. A LOT of other owners had the same experience at that storage facility. The perks knew that the lot used the same surveillance tapes on a weekly rotation. This happened 20 years ago before digital storage. They knew people would check for an obvious break in and not open and inspect the storage compartment.

To Javi's point, the hatches on our unit, like most are very flimsy. The cam lock simply rotates a bar behind the frame. If that bar or frame is bent it can place great stress on the key when rotating the lock. I always lightly "push in" on the compartment door near the cam lock to relieve the pressure on that cam lock. Also keep all locks lubricated with a purpose (lock) lubricant typically silicone or graphite based.

[blubuckaroo]

Originally Posted by Javi

These trailers aren't brick & mortar they're fiberglass, aluminum and lauan paneling.. two minutes or less with a cordless sawzall and you're end..

Me... while I'd rather not be stolen from, I'd rather they use a key than tear up a bunch of stuff to get in..

Old adage... Locks are for honest people

This reminds me of the sales pitch used by gun safe manufacturers. They all want to talk about the strength of their door and lock mechanisms.
The quickest way in is through the thin side with a sawsall.

[Mikelff]

As for losing keys, forgetting where you put them, etc., the newer combination locks solve that problem, as long as you can remember your code! Lol. Locks will deter the opportunistic thief. The professionals will just take a crowbar to it. Only so much you can do. Rekeying the storage compartments is a good idea since one key fits most everyone’s locks.

[jamtracy]

Originally Posted by DBTexas

My girlfriend recently came for a visit, and I had forgotten to leave my spare key out in the agreed spot for her to get in. Ruh-Roh!!!
Well, I would never have even considered what she did ... she took the door key from her Forest River Salem Lite ... and it opened my door!! I verified it when I got home.

Has anyone ever had this somewhat odd (and troubling) experience?

Rvlock.com
Change out your lock to a digital one.

[eewiggles]

Spend the money. This addition is absolutely perfect.