'74 Argosy MH potable water door key

[bkahler]

After checking all of the keys that came with my Argosy I find that I do not have a potable water door key. Any suggestions on where to locate a key that might work?



Thanks!

Brad

[dadstoy]

We can all send you a copy of ours!

[DKB_SATX]

It looks like the same one for my '75 Argosy trailer. Out Of Doors Mart sells them for $6.95, that may be cheaper than someone having a copy made and sent to you, because it's a hard-to-find key blank, at least for locksmiths around here. And I went to old-school serious locksmiths, not the con artists who unlock car doors.

OMDRV Water fill key listing

[DKB_SATX]

The oldest locksmith who looked at mine called it a "Double-sided Illinois" key, and indeed the blank is an ilco IL-1

[bkahler]

Wow! I didn't think I'd get help this quick

Dean, I appreciate the offer but I took DKB_SATX advice and just ordered one from Out of Doors Mart. I needed a few other things so I managed to place large order

If the key doesn't fit I'll take you up on your offer to see if yours would work. I'll keep you posted.

DKB_SATX, thanks for the lead on where to find the key. Much apprecited!

One other question, is there supposed to be something plugging the fill pipe to keep dirt and crap out? Mine doesn't have anything to protect the opening but the door itself. I didn't see anything from OODM that might do it.

Thanks!

Brad

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by bkahler

One other question, is there supposed to be something plugging the fill pipe to keep dirt and crap out? Mine doesn't have anything to protect the opening but the door itself. I didn't see anything from OODM that might do it.

Thanks!

Brad

Chlorinated water and a good pump filter are your friends.

Mine's on the front panel about waist high, so the truck probably kicks up dust for it too. I generally carry gallon jugs of drinking water for taste reasons, but I wouldn't be afraid to drink out of the fresh tank as long as I fill with chlorinated city water or dose with a little bleach if it's clean-but-untreated water going in.

If you want extra protection I guess you could put a cork in the fill and overflow openings, but don't jam it in there too tightly and don't forget to pull them both before trying to fill.

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by DKB_SATX

Chlorinated water and a good pump filter are your friends.

Mine's on the front panel about waist high, so the truck probably kicks up dust for it too. I generally carry gallon jugs of drinking water for taste reasons, but I wouldn't be afraid to drink out of the fresh tank as long as I fill with chlorinated city water or dose with a little bleach if it's clean-but-untreated water going in.

If you want extra protection I guess you could put a cork in the fill and overflow openings, but don't jam it in there too tightly and don't forget to pull them both before trying to fill.

Oh wow! Nothing to cover the hole, that's amazing.

I think I'll find something to stuff in there if nothing else to keep bugs out. I plan on pulling out the fresh water tank while I do some refurbishment work inside so I guess I'll get a first hand look of might might have made it's way into the tank.

Thanks for the info!

Brad

[dadstoy]

Damn, no one ever gets my jokes!

[ViewRVs]

Originally Posted by bkahler

After checking all of the keys that came with my Argosy I find that I do not have a potable water door key. Any suggestions on where to locate a key that might work?


Thanks!

Brad

Brad,

Is there a number on the lock itself? It might be hidden under the paint. That would indicate the key code.

-Fred

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by dadstoy

Damn, no one ever gets my jokes!

Oh...

I just noticed the "all" in your post above. My excuse is I've been distracted lately and that's my story and I'm sticking to it

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by 1985air345

Brad,

Is there a number on the lock itself? It might be hidden under the paint. That would indicate the key code.

-Fred

Fred,

I'll try scraping some of the paint off tonight or tomorrow to see if it has any markings. I did order a key from OODM and I'm betting it fits.

Brad

[bkahler]

Well that bites

I just went out to look for a key number on the lock (this time with my glasses on) and not only did I not find a key number I found that the reason the door was open but still locked is because someone pried the thing open with a screw driver. It cracked the upper housing when it gave way.

Fortunately not all is lost. We have an old 1974 Excella 500 trailer that has been gutted and we use it for storage plus we've used it in two moves, one from Texas to Arkansas and then from Arkansas to Kentucky. I checked and the Excella has the same Thetford assembly

So one of my primary tasks this weekend will be to remove the one from the Excella trailer.

Sometimes things work out ok in the end. Oh, and I do still need the key I ordered since we never had one for the Excella

[DKB_SATX]

Back when I was searching for that key, at least one person advised me to just pry it open. Several suggested I just jam a screwdriver in the key hole and break that part of the lock. I'm pretty happy with having the right key, personally.

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by DKB_SATX

Back when I was searching for that key, at least one person advised me to just pry it open. Several suggested I just jam a screwdriver in the key hole and break that part of the lock. I'm pretty happy with having the right key, personally.

Prying it open is definitely not the way to go. I took a quick peak down the fill pipe last night and there are all kinds of bug debris and dirt. If I had any doubts about removing the fresh water tank before I don't have any now.

Thanks for all our help

Brad

[Waipio Rim]

I got this key and a couple others from eBay vendor "butlerlocksafenkey" when I was building a spare set. Some of his items will pop up if you search for "Airstream key" on ebay

[noreen&sal]

Originally Posted by bkahler

Oh wow! Nothing to cover the hole, that's amazing.

I think I'll find something to stuff in there if nothing else to keep bugs out. I plan on pulling out the fresh water tank while I do some refurbishment work inside so I guess I'll get a first hand look of might might have made it's way into the tank.

Thanks for the info!

Brad

Don't worry. Whatever got in the tank probably won't drink too much. Sal.

[bkahler]

Well drats I just pulled the thetford potable filler from the Excella trailer and the back side is busted out. I've been googling all day trying to see if I can find a replacement with no success.



I guess now I have to see if I can find a way to coble the two that I have together to make one usable one.

One step forward two steps back, that's the way it always seems to work.

Oh well...

Brad

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by noreen&sal

Don't worry. Whatever got in the tank probably won't drink too much. Sal.

Sal, it's what they leave behind after having drank to much that worries me

Brad

[bkahler]

Just a follow up to the key issue. The key I ordered from Out Of Doors Mart worked. Now all I need to do is figure out how to repair one of the two door assemblies. One is busted on the back side as shown in the picture and the other has the latch portion busted.

One way or another I'll figure out a way to marry the two together to make one good one

Thanks for the help.

Brad