Help Help Help - Door Lock Issues

[HowieE]

I titled this tread this way because it relates to several problems all relating to the door locks.

On our last trip south the trailer door locked just when the grand kids decided they had to stop. At first I thought it was the dead bolt because the spring that positions it had failed some months ago. This failure caused the dead bolt to move from the unlocked to locked position depending on road vibrations. The dead bolt responded to the key but that did not unlock the door. Now what? I got a coat hanger and worked it in through the front window to unlock the window and sent my granddaughter in through the window. She was not able to unlock the door so I went in through the front window and had the same results. Now What? After a bit of thinking I realized I had cut holes over the door hinge bolts some time ago to adjust the door. Time to remove the door. After removing the door I found the tongue on the door latch had broken off and remained in the closed position.

Now I have a door with no latch and a dead bolt I can't trust. Time to drill a hole in the thumb latch on the inside of the dead bolt and hold in in position with a small bungee cord. See below.

Now do I trust just that? I tied the door closed with additional bungees and a strap and headed south.

Now for the HELP.

Anyone know of a source for parts for the door lock used on a 1991 Airstream? The factory says they are no longer available. Also any information on the toggling system of the dead bolt or how to remove the dead bolt and pull handle without removing the interior skin?

Later I may post about the 1/2 gallon of ice cream that was melted on the kitchen floor when we stopped for the the night. the bolt that came out of the couch when we attempted to put the grand kids to bed, the crushed wheel chuck, the welds failing on my arm chair, the tongue box door coming off, and the receiver dropping a chunk of metal.

All in all it was a great trip but I am beginning to think 150,000 plus miles is taking a tool on my trailer.

[Area63]

I would remove both locks and find a locksmith to explore repair possibilities. I can't see how the deadbolt could come out without drilling out a handful of rivets first, but you might try working from the inside out, and see how far you get. The newest unit here is a 2007, the next one is a 1987, but the locks look different from yours.