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**Stefrobrts** · 11-27-2005, 01:34 PM

I have a doohickey that came with my trailer, a home-made deadbolt, if you will. It fits on the grab handle by the door and keeps the door from popping open while travelling. When not being used it hangs on a hook just inside the door. Very simple, and works. Mr Grisso, the PO of my trailer, whipped it up, and I think it's just a great idea. I love low-tech solutions, so I thought I'd share.

**azflycaster** · 11-27-2005, 02:27 PM

I've got one also, from the PO. No cord on it, it justs sits on the counter by the door.

Ken J · 11-27-2005, 02:40 PM

This is a carved deadbolt known to lots of old Airstreamers - it works really great.

Ken J

balrgn · 11-27-2005, 02:42 PM

Very Nice, stone age door lock!

eljay · 11-27-2005, 02:48 PM

Yep. I'm wanting one of those!

flyfshr · 11-27-2005, 03:03 PM

Wish I'd have had one on our maiden voyage. Would've kept the door on and not caused a dent in the side of the trailer.

Brad
FF

**Stefrobrts** · 11-27-2005, 03:50 PM

It gives me great peace-of-mind when travelling. I imagine having your door pop open is pretty unpleasant, particularly the doorknob dent that goes with it. The piece of wood is pretty fool proof, as long as the fool remembers to put it on!

overlander63 · 11-27-2005, 03:53 PM

I have one machined from a block of aluminum. It clamps to the eave at teh top of the door. It is very effective, but long-term testing has indiated it will eventually wear the eave down where it is clamped. Probably because the threaded part is stainless steel. Now to find an aluminum bolt...

dwightdi · 11-27-2005, 06:04 PM

Low cost fix for the traveler but I installed a "keyed both sides" deadbolt after someone broke two panes in the jalicy window to reach inside and unlock the Bragman to get into the unit. Store the unit in a better location now. Guess I should post a sign in the window that deadbolt is keyed both sides so they do not break the window again only to find out they can't get in anyway. If you can find a chunky piece of plastic to machine the bolt out of it might not discolor as bad. Or maybe just make it out of exotic wood and give it a good varnish job to show off the arts and crafts theme.

Andrew Selking · 11-27-2005, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stefrobrts

I have a doohickey that came with my trailer, a home-made deadbolt, if you will. It fits on the grab handle by the door and keeps the door from popping open while travelling. When not being used it hangs on a hook just inside the door. Very simple, and works. Mr Grisso, the PO of my trailer, whipped it up, and I think it's just a great idea. I love low-tech solutions, so I thought I'd share.

Are you sure Mr. Grisso whipped it up . If you blow up that picture I think you can see Wally's name carved in it.

**Stefrobrts** · 11-27-2005, 10:51 PM

Oh, that does it! I'm putting it on eBay! Genuine Wally Deadbolt!

**azflycaster** · 11-28-2005, 03:14 AM

This photo was recently found and it proves that it is an original Wally tool!

overlander63 · 11-28-2005, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 65GT

I don't know where you folks are all traveling to, but I don't think I've been on a single trip where that wouldn't get jostled out a dozen times by the roads I've been on! How often do you find that's fallen out in your travels? I'm guessing the attached lanyard is an indicator that it does fall out?

__

Most of us live in other states besides New York, and actually have relatively smooth roads.

The lanyard would not only keep it from going "bye-bye" if it fell out, but it also will keep it from being lost when you are camping. Kind of hard to lose it with it tied around the door handle. Then again, the designer never met me... "Head? Where's my head? Oh, yeah. On my sholders. I knew that!"

Ken J · 11-28-2005, 09:39 AM

Wow Richard your da man! - Finding that rare photo of Wally/deadbolt picture. I've herard it exists, but no one has ever been able to find it - when his widow was contacted years ago - her comment was "he took it to his grave"

hmmmmmmm

Ken

markdoane · 11-28-2005, 10:36 AM

I think that must be a doctored picture, because when I invented the 'doohickey' the patent office approved the application without delay.

They would never approve the patent if it had been invented by someone else.

Those of you that are using my doohickey without licence will be hearing from my attorney.

Ken J · 11-28-2005, 11:01 AM

Well..... its obvious to me that is not a doctored picture - seems to me Wally stole an idea that was patiented? double hmmmmmm ya know the more I look at those old sob trailers, the more I've seen show up on Airstream trailers - Could Wally be just a good marketer of trailers that were copies of other trialers ??? Perhaps it was not the market that put those other trailer companies out of business??? Perhaps his handcarved deadbolt is a disguised missle????? triple hmmmmm

summerkid · 11-28-2005, 11:57 AM

Terry, can you post a pic of the eave deployment? I don't have the grab bar.

**Stefrobrts** · 11-28-2005, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 65GT

I don't know where you folks are all traveling to, but I don't think I've been on a single trip where that wouldn't get jostled out a dozen times by the roads I've been on! How often do you find that's fallen out in your travels? I'm guessing the attached lanyard is an indicator that it does fall out?

__

Three years of travel, including all the way to OK and back, and it's never fallen out yet (not even in KS)!

Love the pic, guys

The mystery deepens...

Minnie's Mate · 09-09-2009, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stefrobrts

I have a doohickey that came with my trailer, a home-made deadbolt, if you will. It fits on the grab handle by the door and keeps the door from popping open while travelling. When not being used it hangs on a hook just inside the door. Very simple, and works. Mr Grisso, the PO of my trailer, whipped it up, and I think it's just a great idea. I love low-tech solutions, so I thought I'd share.

Thanks for posting the photo Stef. I have been planning on making one for our Airstream. I think I can make one even with my limited skills. I remembered that there was a safety mechanism to keep it from getting lost but I couldn't remember how it was configured. These photos show me how it works. Now what did I do with my band saw?

frlcad5 · 09-09-2009, 10:01 AM

I have been using a common doorstop that I bought for less than a buck for years. I drilled a hole in it and inserted a bungie with a plastic knob on it through the hole. I secure the bungie to the handle and slide the doorstop through the handle and wedge the door shut. It doesn't mar or fall out and can be easily removed and hung up in the trailer. No, I didn't invent either the doorstop or the bungie but both work together well to keep the door shut while traveling.