ARGOSY Door Lock Repair/Replace

[Phly36]

The door lock on my 1976 Argosy does not lock and is about to break key off. Has anyone out there been able to repair or replace such a problem?

[jjustice]

Pic please. There were some cross over locks during this period. jjustice

[loudruff]

A good full service locksmith is a good place to start. We were able to get ours done. We have a 1978 Argosy Minuet.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Phly36

The door lock on my 1976 Argosy does not lock and is about to break key off. Has anyone out there been able to repair or replace such a problem?

Your lock is called a "KT" lock.

It's unique to Airstream "ONLY".

Therefore a locksmith will not have any parts for it.

Some Airstream dealers can overhaul that lock for you.

Andy

[loudruff]

You may want to read through this thread about the KT Lock.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f453...ion-73252.html

We may have been lucky in dealing with our 3 generation old time locksmith who is local. They were successful in finding parts and getting ours working. If you have a locksmith that has been around awhile you might get lucky. It is worth asking. Don't know if our 78 Argosy Minuet has the KT lock.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by loudruff

You may want to read through this thread about the KT Lock.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f453...ion-73252.html

We may have been lucky in dealing with our 3 generation old time locksmith who is local. They were successful in finding parts and getting ours working. If you have a locksmith that has been around awhile you might get lucky. It is worth asking. Don't know if our 78 Argosy Minuet has the KT lock.

KT locksd were used on the 1970 to 1977 models, both Argosy (when they came to be) and Airstream.

1978's used Keeler Brass locks.

Andy

[TG Twinkie]

If your door handle and lock looks like this. Yes, I have had success in getting mine to work again.

[TG Twinkie]

Question for Andy at Inland. What year trailers had the L77 Lock set?

[loudruff]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

KT locksd were used on the 1970 to 1977 models, both Argosy (when they came to be) and Airstream.

1978's used Keeler Brass locks.

Andy

Thanks, Andy! I will write that down somewhere.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by TG Twinkie

Question for Andy at Inland. What year trailers had the L77 Lock set?

Old, old, real old Airstreams.

I am not positive, but late 50's.

Andy

[Colin H]

Originally Posted by TG Twinkie

Question for Andy at Inland. What year trailers had the L77 Lock set?

59 & 60
Colin

[jjustice]

I had to replace my door lock in my '78 Argosy 27'. When I ordered from AS they sent me the squarish looking one that was the correct one for the '78s but I found out that AS back in the '70s sometimes used parts from previous yrs and that was my case. So my lock is the rectangle lock and the replacement came from - - you guessed it-- China. The lock cylinder lasted a whopping six months before it jammed. I contacted AS and they sent me a replacement cylinder with a new set of keys but I would need to take the whole assembly off the door to replace the cylinder and that means a repainting the door (Argosy remember) and thus it won't happen. So I disabled the locking mechanism and place an external lock at the bottom of the door. It keeps the door secure while we go down the road but won't keep an intruder out. I was not a happy camper when the new lock broke in less than 7 months from being installed. AND by the way the new China lock cost over $450!!!! Someone made a great deal of profit on that sale.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by jjustice

I had to replace my door lock in my '78 Argosy 27'. When I ordered from AS they sent me the squarish looking one that was the correct one for the '78s but I found out that AS back in the '70s sometimes used parts from previous yrs and that was my case. So my lock is the rectangle lock and the replacement came from - - you guessed it-- China. The lock cylinder lasted a whopping six months before it jammed. I contacted AS and they sent me a replacement cylinder with a new set of keys but I would need to take the whole assembly off the door to replace the cylinder and that means a repainting the door (Argosy remember) and thus it won't happen. So I disabled the locking mechanism and place an external lock at the bottom of the door. It keeps the door secure while we go down the road but won't keep an intruder out. I was not a happy camper when the new lock broke in less than 7 months from being installed. AND by the way the new China lock cost over $450!!!! Someone made a great deal of profit on that sale.

Sounds like you have the KT lock.

If so, the tumbler can be changed out in 30 seconds, without ever having to remove the lock.

Andy

[Colin H]

Originally Posted by jjustice

I had to replace my door lock in my '78 Argosy 27'. When I ordered from AS they sent me the squarish looking one that was the correct one for the '78s but I found out that AS back in the '70s sometimes used parts from previous yrs and that was my case. So my lock is the rectangle lock and the replacement came from - - you guessed it-- China. The lock cylinder lasted a whopping six months before it jammed. I contacted AS and they sent me a replacement cylinder with a new set of keys but I would need to take the whole assembly off the door to replace the cylinder and that means a repainting the door (Argosy remember) and thus it won't happen. So I disabled the locking mechanism and place an external lock at the bottom of the door. It keeps the door secure while we go down the road but won't keep an intruder out. I was not a happy camper when the new lock broke in less than 7 months from being installed. AND by the way the new China lock cost over $450!!!! Someone made a great deal of profit on that sale.

Yeah, that is sad isn't it. I've seen pitted old KT locks without keys go on ebay for $250. My best suggestion for you is to install a dead bolt. This gives you great security. They are available through Vintage Trailer Supply. com & other suppliers. I typically drill & tap the end of the dead bolt & install a 3/8 SS hex bolt & cut off the head. This allows you to offset the cylinder slightly & minimize the size of the hole in the door frame & door. This retains as much of the strength in the door & frame structure as possible. The cylinder should be installed in the wall, not the door.
Colin

[btophek]

Where can I purchase a door latch for an Argosy 24? The latch is manufactured by Bargman. I'm wondering if there is a retrofit replacement which will work without all the Bargman problems like the door flying open when you're going down the road and other horror stories that I hear.

[TG Twinkie]

I have a '74 Argosy with the infamous KT lock. I purchased a new lock cylinder and key and installed it. The problem with my KT lock is that the hole where the cylinder is located is sooo worn that the cylinder is lose. The new lock pin from VTS is not an exact replica of the original; this combination is not very reliable. I can lock and unlock the KT mechanism, but there are times it takes a lot of fiddling to get it done.
I just decided that getting locked out wasn't worth the hassle of trying to lock the door with the KT lock assembly. So I bit the bullet so to speak and installed a deadbolt lock mechanism.
It took a bit of thinking because there is no room to install the dead bolt in the door and have access to the inside lock handle without modifying the screen door.
So I decided to install the lock mechanism in the trailer body and have the bolt go into the door. I've attached a few photos. It works great by the way.
The door on my Argosy is extruded aluminum. I'm not sure if this set up would work on a door with a cast frame since it requires cutting thru one side of the frame, because the door frame is so thin. You can see the frame reinforcement plate that I fabricated for the inside of the door in order that the bolt is held by more than just the striker plate on the edge of the door.
A couple of days ago I did see an add either on eBay or here in the classifieds, 2 NOS (new old stock) KT locks; One was $375.00 and the other $425.00.
It cost me less than $25.00 to install the dead bolt. Just bought a regular single dead bolt at the big box store. Made sure I got one with a long stroke bolt.

[jjustice]

Andy,
I would like to have someone go over the steps in doing that. I could not find how to get in there to makethe switch. jjustice

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by jjustice

Andy,
I would like to have someone go over the steps in doing that. I could not find how to get in there to makethe switch. jjustice

Get a #8 sheetmetal screw about one inch long.

Screw it into the tumbler about 1/4 inch.

Have a small piece of thin plywood handy, along with a claw hammer.

Place the wood below the tumbler to protect the sheetmetal.

Place the claw hammer on the wood and grab the screw with the claw.

Give it a quick "YANK".

That's it, the tumbler will easily pull out.

Andy

[CordellCampr]

Originally Posted by TG Twinkie

I have a '74 Argosy with the infamous KT lock. I purchased a new lock cylinder and key and installed it. The problem with my KT lock is that the hole where the cylinder is located is sooo worn that the cylinder is lose. The new lock pin from VTS is not an exact replica of the original; this combination is not very reliable. I can lock and unlock the KT mechanism, but there are times it takes a lot of fiddling to get it done.
I just decided that getting locked out wasn't worth the hassle of trying to lock the door with the KT lock assembly. So I bit the bullet so to speak and installed a deadbolt lock mechanism.
It took a bit of thinking because there is no room to install the dead bolt in the door and have access to the inside lock handle without modifying the screen door.
So I decided to install the lock mechanism in the trailer body and have the bolt go into the door. I've attached a few photos. It works great by the way.
The door on my Argosy is extruded aluminum. I'm not sure if this set up would work on a door with a cast frame since it requires cutting thru one side of the frame, because the door frame is so thin. You can see the frame reinforcement plate that I fabricated for the inside of the door in order that the bolt is held by more than just the striker plate on the edge of the door.
A couple of days ago I did see an add either on eBay or here in the classifieds, 2 NOS (new old stock) KT locks; One was $375.00 and the other $425.00.
It cost me less than $25.00 to install the dead bolt. Just bought a regular single dead bolt at the big box store. Made sure I got one with a long stroke bolt.

I know this has nothing to do with the lock, although I am planning on replacing the tumbler and it's good to know it's not an exact fit. Anywho, TG, what are the 2 switches to the left of your door in the picture. I have figured out one goes to the light outside but can't figure out what the other one is.

[thesignlady]

If it was made by Bargeman there is a small stamped code somewhere on it that a decent locksmith can look up the code and cut a new key by the code alone. I took my whole handle/lock set in to Hubers Lock and Safe near me in Victoria BC because I was frustrated with the looseness of the key in the handle, I was just planning to get him to re tumble it. Turned out the key I had wasn't even made for the trailer it just kinda worked, but not really.... they looked up the code online, cut me a proper key and now I am happy :-)

1969 Airstream Safari