Deadbolt Not Locking

[Fly at Night]

The smaller lock above it works, but the deadbolt will not lock. I just realized I have been leaving my trailer unlocked. I recently spent five days at a park - no one breached the inside.

I know the smaller lock can easily be picked.

Anyone else have/had this problem? What did you do? I am still under extended warranty.

[daveswenson]

Can you see the deadbolt move in and out if you turn the knob with the door open? You might try lubing the mechanism.

[SteveSueMac]

I have the same problem (2012). It looks like the arm that comes out of the deadbolt in the door is somehow pushed back toward the key so when it tries to turn to the left and engage the pocket, that arm hits the outside of the pocket. I'm going to talk to the dealer about it. It's not a lube thing, it's an alignment thing.

[Foiled Again]

Originally Posted by Fly at Night

The smaller lock above it works, but the deadbolt will not lock. I just realized I have been leaving my trailer unlocked. I recently spent five days at a park - no one breached the inside.

I know the smaller lock can easily be picked.

Anyone else have/had this problem? What did you do? I am still under extended warranty.

OK, with a newer unit you shouldn't be having this kind of problem. Open the door and test the key on the deadbolt. If the lock bar moves in and out the problem pretty much has to be alignment when the door is closed - and the lock bar hits the top or bottom of the hole it's supposed to go through. First place to look? Your stabilizer jacks are probably racked up too tight, back them off one whole turn and try again. The stabilizers are NOT supposed to level your trailer. You should use blocks under the tire(s) on the low side. Stabilizers should just be snug to keep the trailer from rocking when you walk (or whatever) inside.

If you can't SEE what's happening with the lock - try the lipstick test. Put a bit of lipstick on the end of the lock bar - try to lock the door. The lipstick will transfer to whatever edge of the lock plate the lock is hitting rather than passing through. If it's on the outside - push on the door a bit when you use the key! On the inside, pull out slightly on the door when you lock it. (This can change seasonally based on temperature.)

If your stabilizers aren't in use or are just tight enough to work and the mark is on the top or bottom... then you may have to move the lock plate. That's not a huge deal an the lipstick can tell you which direction to move it in.

Hope it's easy to fix.

Paula

[urnmor]

I had a similar problem but because it was under warranty I had it replaced

[idroba]

Originally Posted by Fly at Night

I know the smaller lock can easily be picked.

Don't think that the deadbolt is not easily picked too. They are both very simple locks with only a couple of pins or wafers. My new one has 2 or 3 max. on the deadbolt. I am looking for a higher quality lockset which will work with the existing deadbolt pin mechanism. Virtually all RV locksets are close to junk as far as protection goes, Airstream included.

[Fly at Night]

dave, the bar does not move.

Thanks all, for your reply - especially Paula. I haven't had time to monkey around with it yet. If I can't get it to work, I may just get a better lock installed. The extended warranty charges me a $50 deductible. Might be best to put that towards another lock (or wait until I find anything else that needs repairing under deductible).

However, as they say, if anyone wants to get in bad enough, they will.

[mstephens]

Are you concerned about entry when you are inside the rig, or when outside and the trailer is alone?

If your concern is about being inside and having someone enter, anything keyed from the outside is vulnerable to a 10-second lock pick. If security is crucial to you, you would be better off to install an inside only bolt. Although I don't have a specific part in mind, I have seen over the years many that would work easily and very low cost.

[Fly at Night]

Originally Posted by mstephens

Are you concerned about entry when you are inside the rig, or when outside and the trailer is alone?

If your concern is about being inside and having someone enter, anything keyed from the outside is vulnerable to a 10-second lock pick. If security is crucial to you, you would be better off to install an inside only bolt. Although I don't have a specific part in mind, I have seen over the years many that would work easily and very low cost.

Very astute observation. I am concerned about both, but I usually travel solo with a dog - inside security is crucial. The beagle is a good watch dog, but would never attack.

Thanks so much. Will look into an inside-only bolt.

[daveswenson]

If the bolt does not move something is jamming it. I'd try some WD or Boeshield or something to try to loosen it up.

I like being able to lock the deadbolt from outside for peace of mind that the door isn't going to open when I'm driving.

[Fly at Night]

Dave, the bolt is not moving. It was snug against the rubber seal. I pried it away from the seal a bit, then banged the end of the bolt with a hammer. Still not moving when I insert key or turn black circle lever (on the inside of the door).

I have Boeshield; will blast it tomorrow.

Good point about that proverbial peace of mind. I travelled over 200 miles recently with the deadbolt unlocked - the door did not open. However, Murphy's Law seems to reign supreme with trailers!

[mstephens]

Beagle? Yeah, you're going to want a working dead bolt!

Something like this inside should be easy to build.