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lsbrodsky · 10-02-2015, 04:57 AM

Yesterday morning I took the dog out for a walk and when I came back, the door had locked itself. Apparently, I had not flipped the lock latch all the way open so that when the door slammed, the latch locked. Of course the keys were in the trailer. My spare set was locked in the truck, also locked with the truck keys in the trailer. Fortunately, my wife was still in the trailer, asleep.
Not sure of the lesson learned here but I need to be careful. Be aware!
Larry

FollySteve · 10-02-2015, 05:03 AM

We always lock the spare trailer key inside the truck and have a hidden truck key stashed in a hidden location (in an magnetic holder) on the outside of the truck. Saved my bacon more than once. 😁

Wayne&Sam · 10-02-2015, 06:15 AM

This has always been a problem. They started installing a felt washer to prevent it, but we've had it happen too. I just disabled that lock by stuffing the slot where the lever travels with a sliver of foam pipe insulation. That means we only use the deadbolt for a lock.

Wingeezer · 10-02-2015, 06:23 AM

A common problem. Happened to me also!

"Inland Andy" kindly used to offer a free fix kit (easily installed) to prevent this from happening - a washer to add friction to the mechanism to prevent it from self locking.

I installed this and have had no further problem. However, as an extra precaution, I also have a set of spare keys hidden on the outside of the trailer just in case!

Brian.

mojo · 10-02-2015, 06:31 AM

It is easy to lock the door, catching the slider lock, when when grabbing the inside handle on the way out. Having an outside combo lock on TV door is a blessing.

lsbrodsky · 10-02-2015, 07:20 AM

Wow, thanks.
Larry

KJRitchie · 10-02-2015, 08:07 AM

Happened to us too. I wasn't at the campsite and the wife locked herself out. She ended up crawling through the side storage compartment of our 25fb into the queen bed area to get inside. She had to unscrew the wire restraints from the door to prevent damaging the door. Would loved to have gotten some video of her scrambling through.

Kelvin

dkottum · 10-02-2015, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJRitchie

Happened to us too. I wasn't at the campsite and the wife locked herself out. She ended up crawling through the side storage compartment of our 25fb into the queen bed area to get inside. She had to unscrew the wire restraints from the door to prevent damaging the door. Would loved to have gotten some video of her scrambling through.

Kelvin

Which makes one wonder why there are any entrance door locks at all, when you can crawl in through an access hatch secured by a universal key.

Mrjkq · 10-02-2015, 08:30 AM

Thank You all, thats good information.

bolerama · 10-03-2015, 07:00 PM

We keep the spare door handle key in a magnetic holder in the bumper compartment. This is the only lock that can accidentally lock you out. When we leave we also lock the deadbolt. So in case some one finds the hidden key they still cant get in.

Paul

Inland RV Center, In · 11-22-2015, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsbrodsky

Yesterday morning I took the dog out for a walk and when I came back, the door had locked itself. Apparently, I had not flipped the lock latch all the way open so that when the door slammed, the latch locked. Of course the keys were in the trailer. My spare set was locked in the truck, also locked with the truck keys in the trailer. Fortunately, my wife was still in the trailer, asleep.
Not sure of the lesson learned here but I need to be careful. Be aware!
Larry

We offer a "FREE" lock out kit.

Send us a SASE with 2 stamps on it and we will send it to you the same day.

Many others have received this kit and all are 100 % happy.

Many owners have also expressed an interest in "electric entrance door locks", so that lock outs would become impossible.

They are now available.

Andy

samgremlin · 03-22-2016, 09:41 PM

Yesterday, I shut the door and had it lock me out of the Airstream. I was at home at the time and just working inside. I called Andy at In-Land RV only to find out that he was in Hawaii on vacation. His secretary told me to send him an email and he would get back to me. I included my phone number in the email, and sure enough, even though Andy was on vacation, he called me back within 30 minutes. Andy explained to me the process of getting back inside, and i was able to get back inside within 3 minutes. Andy saved me a lot of time, frustration, and money. Just wanted to say Thanks for the help and quick response even though he was on vacation at the time. A true gentleman and valuable source of information. Sam

NevadaGeo · 03-22-2016, 10:49 PM

Just curious, but why? Seems like a safety issue if a trailer can lock itself without human supervision. Why hasn't the Airstream's maker taken care of this safety problem for alllll the aberrant young airstreams out there?

LiLNomad · 03-22-2016, 11:54 PM

I have one of the real estate lock boxes that I can clamp onto the door handle. It has the 4 number punch code. You can get one at any home depot, etc..
LilNomad

overlander63 · 03-23-2016, 04:58 AM

It's as easy to accidentally lock the door on an Airstream as it is to accidentally lock the doors of your TV.
You can put a spare set somewhere in the TV, in case you lock yourself out of the trailer. Many newer trucks and SUVs have keyless entry systems or satellite unlocking features. That way, your spares are not on the trailer, and even if you don't have Onstar, you can call AAA or a locksmith to come out and unlock the truck.

OTRA15 · 03-23-2016, 05:25 AM

Spare keys everywhere as recommended, including duplicates for each half of a trailerin' couple (with at least one access key carried on each person all the time). Extra spares at home known to family or friends who can overnight them in an emergency. Keyless entries good . . .

Plan, plan, plan . . .

Redundancy, redundancy, redundancy . . .

Never say never . . .

"Remain calm and carry on!"

Wayne&Sam · 03-23-2016, 05:33 AM

IT's that pesky door lock, not the dead bolt. Andy used to give away a felt washer to increase the friction so it wouldn't lock by itself. Then Airstream incorporated that on newer models, but it isn't fool proof. I've disabled that lock by filling the slot where the lever travels with a sliver of foam pipe insulation. I've always used the deadbolt anyway, as I think it's more secure when on the road.

I still hide spare keys.

OTRA15 · 03-23-2016, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne&Sam

IT's that pesky door lock, not the dead bolt.
. . .

Isn't that door lock also operable with a key from the outside?

My non-deadbolt lock is a real trap, as you can open the door, lock it from the inside and slam the door as you exit. The lock will remain locked, unlike some residential locks which will not let you lock yourself out of the house.

VERY BAD DESIGN !!!

Thanks,

Peter

Wayne&Sam · 03-23-2016, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OTRA15

Isn't that door lock also operable with a key from the outside?

My non-deadbolt lock is a real trap, as you can open the door, lock it from the inside and slam the door as you exit. The lock will remain locked, unlike some residential locks which will not let you lock yourself out of the house.

VERY BAD DESIGN !!!

Thanks,

Peter

Yes it's keyed on the outside. I just want to avoid having to deal with the problem you describe.