No key to water door. What next?

[rogerdodger]

I ordered a key from Inlandrv for the door to the fresh water fill, but it does not fit. What now? Anybody removed the lock from inside? I prefer not to take the whole trailer to a locksmith, or call them out for one lock. Can I get to it from inside? Maybe cut a hole in the inner skin?

[Splitrock]

If it's a cam lock, quite a few of those can be opened with a screwdriver. I'd just call the locksmith.

[robert claus]

It's a very simple lock, which turns a pawl which drops behind the edge of the door frame. Before you try drilling anything from the inside, which would just make a mess of it, 1- try inserting a screwdriver in the lock and twisting it, as Splitrock suggested. You may be able to distort the lock and door enough to pop it. Then, you may be able to remove the pawl off the back of the lock assembly, and leave it that way until you get a new lock. 2- You could try prying the door open, but it won't take much to crack it, so be gentle. 3- I'd drill out the lock before making holes in the metal. That would save you the cost of the locksmith.

[TG Twinkie]

The key number for the water door on my '74 Argosy is 87. If that helps any. I have 2 keys, they both have 87 on them. I believe they are the original keys.

[Friday]

I thought they were all the same key... or are they just such a crappy lock that any key opens them?

[TBRich]

I agree that you should be able to get it open by jimmying the lock a bit and hopefully without damaging anything. I know yours is a '75 and may have a different lock and set-up, but on newer Airstreams they ALL have the same lock and the same key, #CH751...And the doors are fairly flexible plastic (not sure yours is) which is easy to unlock even without a key.

Good luck!

[Splitrock]

If it's a bolt and nut barrel cam lock, a screwdriver will open it. No key needed in an emergency. Get it open and replace the lock or just take it to a locksmith and pay the price of a new lock to get a key made.

If it's a locked back barrel it won't open with a screwdriver. If it's like mine the lock is on the skin, not on the door. To unlock, turn the lock 1/4 turn to the left. Mine is a threaded barrel cam held on with a rear access nut. I looks to be really hard to get at through the water door.

If it were mine, I'd call the locksmith. I don't want to mess up my lock or water door. If you drill it out, (if it's like mine) you'll still have to have back access to remove it to replace. If that's your plan, why not just get the back access first and remove the lock without drilling it?

[xo1rider]

I've had two RVs by different manufacturers and both used the same key (#751) for that door as well as the outside shower. I'd just take a walk around an RV park and ask to borrow a #751 key. I bet you'll find one pretty quick.

[cameront120]

Go to a rally and find another Airstreamer with a key that fits, then get a copy made!

[rogerdodger]

Thank you for all the ideas. I tried the screwdriver, no go. I have several keys from vintage rv's no go. The lock is in a panel with rivets, so I can not drill and remove. I am thinking of opening up the interior, and get to the lock that way. Will that work?
No, I will not drill it out, I want to retain the original lock if possible.

[DKB_SATX]

On my '75 Argosy 24, the key is a double-sided key, and I bought mine from Out Of Doors Mart.

Water Fill Key WF-01 - $6.95 : Out-of-Doors Mart!, More Airstream Parts on-line than anyone!

[TerraYacht]

Its good that you didn't use a lot of force with a screwdriver. This method can open the panel, but it will also damage the weakest link. In many cases that is the door or panel: relatively thin material and you will distort or ruin the D-shaped mounting hole. If you want to retain the lock and the trailer, then a locksmith is the way to go (speaking as a former locksmith.) The lowest cost is to bring the trailer to a shop, ask them to either make a code key if there is a number on the lock, or they can "impression" a new key. My former organization linked to Havenslock.com in Fresno.

[rogerdodger]

Originally Posted by DKB_SATX

On my '75 Argosy 24, the key is a double-sided key, and I bought mine from Out Of Doors Mart.

Water Fill Key WF-01 - $6.95 : Out-of-Doors Mart!, More Airstream Parts on-line than anyone!

Thank you. I have one ordered.

[TG Twinkie]

The key to the water door in my rig is single sided. Never could figure out why all the lock cylinders are different or most anyway. I guess it's cheaper to buy random lots of lock cylinders than sets of 6 or so.

[tphan]

Mine is double-sided, too- got it from Oasis RV in Tucson.

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by TG Twinkie

The key to the water door in my rig is single sided. Never could figure out why all the lock cylinders are different or most anyway. I guess it's cheaper to buy random lots of lock cylinders than sets of 6 or so.

I've wondered sometimes if they used the Argosy line to run through old stock from the Airstream line. If I remember correctly, the double-sided "G248" key on my Argosy water fill is on the Airstream spreadsheet for early 70s trailers and ended in '74, but it's used on my '75 Argosy and apparently not on your '74.

[rogerdodger]

Originally Posted by DKB_SATX

On my '75 Argosy 24, the key is a double-sided key, and I bought mine from Out Of Doors Mart.

Water Fill Key WF-01 - $6.95 : Out-of-Doors Mart!, More Airstream Parts on-line than anyone!

I got it, and it works. Thanks again to all the help.