Locked out of a 1991 34ft Classic

[SMPLSGUY]

My trailer is a "60th Anniversary Edition", 1991 34 ft Classic. Last week while parked at a campground 500 miles from home, the latch gave up and I was locked out. Luckily I had a window open, so crawled in and disassembled the lock from the inside.

The question is, what do I do now? I'd rather not alter the door for a replacement that doesn't quite fit... is the OEM part available? Is there a way to repair the old lock? I don't even really know what went wrong with it but the latch would not retract. Any help is appreciated!

David

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by AirstreamFan

My trailer is a "60th Anniversary Edition", 1991 34 ft Classic. Last week while parked at a campground 500 miles from home, the latch gave up and I was locked out. Luckily I had a window open, so crawled in and disassembled the lock from the inside.

The question is, what do I do now? I'd rather not alter the door for a replacement that doesn't quite fit... is the OEM part available? Is there a way to repair the old lock? I don't even really know what went wrong with it but the latch would not retract. Any help is appreciated!

David

Unfortunately, the company that made your lock, is history.

Therefor no parts.

It's basically slightly modify the door, or buy a new door with a newer style lock.

I assure you, a lock kit costs far less than a new door.

Andy

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by AirstreamFan

...The question is, what do I do now?...

David

yeah thats the question,

but without a photo of the latch, we b guessing at the part or issue.

have u opened the mechanicals yet?

a/s changed primary oem latch mechanicals recently...

after the long used version was discontined.

they announced this and gave folks the chance to BUY the old stock.

so contact a dealer or the company store.

cheers
2air'

[SMPLSGUY]

Andy - what kind of modification is necessary? I'm only moderately handy when it comes to aluminum...

2air - any ideas on where to look for the part if still available?

Thanks!
David

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by AirstreamFan

Andy - what kind of modification is necessary? I'm only moderately handy when it comes to aluminum...

2air - any ideas on where to look for the part if still available?

Thanks!
David

You have to install, with rivets, 2 adapter plates, since the replacement lock is smaller than the original.

Andy

[SMPLSGUY]

Andy do you know offhand what the dimensions of the newer, smaller unit are?

[SSChanger]

Had a similar thing happen on our '94 30' Excella 1000. Took the lock apart, found the broken part, used JB Weld from Wally Mart to rejoin the part, and haven't had a problem since.

Would that work for you?

Good luck!

[SMPLSGUY]

SSChanger - what part was broken? I'm fairly mechanical but know nothing about these locks...

[HowieE]

If the latch broke like the one pictured below what I did was grind a 45 degree angle on the latch side and on the plate side that pulls the latch and welded them together.

If you weld it together you will most likely create a bump above the level of the plate. First idea would be to grind it smooth. Don't fit thing back together and you will see where you need to remove material from the cover plate to allow clearance for the weld. The cover plate has no function other than to hold the lock together and you can cut it away without any problem.

Mine broke at 95 degrees while headed south last summer. Strapped the door closed and kept on going. If it works for Jed Clampet it will work for me.

[HowieE]

This picture shows the point of failure, at the tip of the green tie wrap. Once welded you have to grind material from the cover plate to allow the weld to pass under the original plate and let the latch contact the strike.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by AirstreamFan

Andy do you know offhand what the dimensions of the newer, smaller unit are?

Ball park, 3 1/2" X 4 1/2".

Andy

[SMPLSGUY]

Thanks for the dimensions Andy - I'll measure the lock on my door and see how much off it is, that will help me decide what to do.

HowieE - I think that is exactly where mine broke, exactly the same problem. I will look into getting it welded as an option too.

THANK YOU!!

[SSChanger]

The part broken on mine was the bottom pin on one of the door handles. It went back together with JB Weld and has worked fine for about a year now. I'll see if I can disassemble and post a picture for you this weekend.

[62bam]

I repaired our lock with the same "fix" that HowieE did........4 years ago.....great so far!

[HowieE]

I forgot to mention the reason we have to strap the door closed was the fact that the dead bolt spring had broken before we left and i had no other way to keep the door closed.

As for the dead bolt spring you can cut a piece of hack saw blade to fit the space and put a slight bend in it to replace the spring. It is just a toggle so you only need the slightest offset on the spring to work.

To get access and remove the door handle you will have to cut small holes in the interior skin. These can be covered when done with blank off white 2x4 electrical plates. Almost unseen when done.

[SSChanger]

What broke on ours is the bottom pin of the exterior door handle. I removed the lock, drilled out the old pin, inserted a metal screw after cutting off the top, and used JB Weld to secure it. Works fine. Don't know if this is your problem, but hope this may help someone.