1968 Safari Deadbolt

[DFlores]

Can anyone offer a solution for my missing deadbolt?

I have an L100 door lock, and the mounting in the door frame for a deadbolt, the existing L100 cannot be locked from the inside. Need a deadbolt that can lock from inside or Diana will never sleep in the trailer.

From what I've read, the original deadbolt only unlocked from inside

Any help would be greatly appreciated

[sarasafari]

I am not ANY kind of expert on Airstreams, but I do have a 1969 Safari, and it never had a deadbolt. I am going to take it to a shop to get one installed, before I camp, though.

[HowieE]

What I used to keep the grand kids from falling out the door was a simple double hung window sash set on the screen door. That will lock them out.

[DFlores]

Originally Posted by sarasafari

I am not ANY kind of expert on Airstreams, but I do have a 1969 Safari, and it never had a deadbolt. I am going to take it to a shop to get one installed, before I camp, though.

Sara, let me know what lock your shop comes up with, I have been looking thru the normal sources and come up empty

[DFlores]

We came across a deadbolt that may work at Vintage Trailer Supply - VTS-343C

Will report back if this works....unless someone who has tried this in past can save me the purchase price and tell of their success or lack there of

[DFlores]

Finally looked at VTS deadbolt on my "big" computer and could see that it mounts on wall next to door, these mobile little screens have limitations, would still like to hear from someone with a door mounted solution

Thanks

[ALUMINUMINUM]

Dear Diana and Dave,,


The L-100 has its own, built-in locking mechanism. When functioning, it clicks locked when turned in the opposite rotation from open. Rebuild kits are $50 on eBay.


Un-skinning and re-skinning the door is no fun. There is wood reinforcement to remove where the dead-bolt goes.



A dead-bolt will not prevent entry into the trailer. One simply has to push in the little lower “stack” window by the door, reach in and unlock the door. While a keyed on both side dead-bolt would work better for unexpected nightly invasions, it hampers emergency egress, and not recommended by firemen.


Perhaps it's false hope to presume that they can read, but when away, I leave a note to thieves/vandals in the stack window with instructions to break-in this way so as to prevent damage to the door and jamb from prying tools.


An outside keyed dead-bolt's best use is to prevent the suicide door from opening while traveling.

[DFlores]

Originally Posted by ALUMINUMINUM

Dear Diana and Dave,,


The L-100 has its own, built-in locking mechanism. When functioning, it clicks locked when turned in the opposite rotation from open. Rebuild kits are $50 on eBay.


Un-skinning and re-skinning the door is no fun. There is wood reinforcement to remove where the dead-bolt goes.



A dead-bolt will not prevent entry into the trailer. One simply has to push in the little lower “stack” window by the door, reach in and unlock the door. While a keyed on both side dead-bolt would work better for unexpected nightly invasions, it hampers emergency egress, and not recommended by firemen.


Perhaps it's false hope to presume that they can read, but when away, I leave a note to thieves/vandals in the stack window with instructions to break-in this way so as to prevent damage to the door and jamb from prying tools.


An outside keyed dead-bolt's best use is to prevent the suicide door from opening while traveling.

I had kind of had been figuring it was something like that, I did try turning the "wrong" way from the inside.

We just replaced insulation in the door and replaced the wood reinforcing.

Thank you very much for the guidance, Next we will get a rebuild kit, I did have a time making the door knob work after "carefully" dropping all the insides on the floor when I was removing the knob

Maybe It didn't go back completely correct?

[ALUMINUMINUM]

I'd guess that there is an exploded view diagram online somewhere. I think that there are you-tubes of it also.

Mine makes me nervous. I disassembled, cleaned and lubed. It works best if the two screws that hold the inside knob escutcheon are not tight. This really bugs me.

It isn't a marvelously engineered lock-set, and the material/workmanship doesn't impress. They are scarce, that's why they're expensive.

I don't know if the rebuild kit has all the parts, someone on this site has more knowledge about the L-100.

Sadly, we're stuck with them.

[LouiesRV]

Our '67 had a deadbolt. Not sure if it was original or aftermarket, but the PO lost the key and had to break it to get the door open.


I installed the VTS deadbolt in the door. I had to remove most of the rivets from the upper inner panel of the door to access it. I didn't have to remove the outer skin at all. It comes with a 3/8" round rod threaded into the bolt which goes into the door frame. I had to revise the setback a bit to get it to fit the hole in the door, so I made a new rod by cutting the head off of a 3/8" SS bolt.


It works great, better than the replacement handle lock, which I can unlock by jiggling the handle a few times.

[Zadiegirl]

I have been looking for locks too. I have a deep set back 66 Overlander.

My quest has led me to Weiser locks. They make a 5" dead bolt. I think that I am going to try to have some cut the bolt to fit. I don't know what else to do either.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Zadiegirl

I have been looking for locks too. I have a deep set back 66 Overlander.

My quest has led me to Weiser locks. They make a 5" dead bolt. I think that I am going to try to have some cut the bolt to fit. I don't know what else to do either.

There is a lock kit available that replaces the L-100.

The nice thing about that kit, is that it has a built in dead bolt.

Andy

[bsaa10bill]

What did you finally do about a lock? I have the original on my 68 safari and I'd like something more secure. Thanks

[JRF0st3r]

bsaa10bill,

There are other solutions but what we did was to get the deadbolt with extended bolt from VTS that mounts in the frame next to the door. This was done while the interior skin was off. We added some wood blocking for a more secure mount. Getting it to work smoothly required some grinding of both the bolt and hole in the door but now it works great.

[Rhino33]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

There is a lock kit available that replaces the L-100.

The nice thing about that kit, is that it has a built in dead bolt.

Andy

Andy - Do you carry the replacement lock for the L100 with the integrated dead bolt?
Thanks so much!

[Bubba L]

Originally Posted by Rhino33

Andy - Do you carry the replacement lock for the L100 with the integrated dead bolt?
Thanks so much!

Don’t think Andy is still with Inland. You may try Dan Piper at Vintage Campers.com. I think they have parts for the L100 lockset. Good luck, Bubba

[montanablue]

I have new and used Bargman L100 or L200 and the OEM Bargman Rebuild Kits for L100/200 locks. I can rebuild your lock with all of the spare parts I have. Keep in mind Airstreams require the longer throw, stem or latch. I have a new one for sale that is ready to stall. You can reach me at r_whiten@hotmail.com or send me a private message. I will be glad to help you.
Rick (Montanablue)

[montanablue]

Pictures of new Bargman L100 lock with long stem.

[Rhino33]

Thanks so much for the information - as well as the availability of a replacement/repair. I will need to take a photo of our doorset, as I think there may be a dead bolt underneath the AS lock. And of course, all of the photos I have taken so far have the door open! OIY! I'll check on it tomorrow and advise.
Thanks, again!

[Rhino33]

We just wanted to give an extra thanks to MontanaBlue (Rick) for the several conversations, photos, explanations and suggestions he has had with us. If you are in the need of a replacement lock or a rebuild kit, we highly recommend contacting Rick directly. While we have met so very many helpful folks here on the forum, Rick was high on that list. Very friendly and willing to talk through our situation (as each trailer has her own idiosyncrasies) to be sure we figured out a resolution.
THANKS RICK!