It's Good to Always Lock Trailer From the Outside, Isn't It?

[Fly at Night]

When doing the AS orientation thing at the dealership, they said "Always lock the trailer using the key from the outside."

In my daze, I never thought to ask why. Assumed it was an Airstream security thing.

However, the import of this advice hit home during my shakedown trip.

Was awakened the first morning there by a man's voice. By the tone, I could tell he was not very happy. His wife had locked them out of their brand-new Jayco Melbourne motorhome which was in the next site. His wife came to my trailer to ask if maybe one of my Airstream keys would open their door. It didn't. I even tried the remote door unlocker, hoping it would work on their Ford truck cab (my tow vehicle is also a Ford). No luck.

Another RVer came over and tried to help. They thought they might be able to jimmie one of the windows open. So, we all moved the picnic table over to the window, one of them got up and removed the rubber window stripping and tried to loosen the window. It would not budge.
Then they tried to unlock the door with a coat hangar. One RVer said he routinely carried something that all car thieves have - could open the door in a second - but left it at home.

There was further discussion about how best to resolve the situation. Would it be cheaper to just break a window or call the locksmith from the closest town? The Jayco man was pretty uptight about his new motorhome; didn't want to inflict damage. If looks could kill -- his poor wife!

To make a long story short, as it turned out, in the passion and upset of the moment, no one tried another window which was unlocked. They eventually gained access to their motorhome via this window.

Since then, I am extra careful about never locking the door from the inside.....when the keys -- correction, all my keys are inside.

Just thought I would share this invaluable piece advice, since there are many new 'streamers here. What a way to upset a trip!

Do any of you do anything else to insure this won't happen? I was thinking that all RVs should have a compartment on the outside with a keyless entry system that opens by code or something - maybe even a standard combination lock where extra keys could be stored, just in case.

[idroba]

When I had my 310 motorhome, it came with a deadbolt lock, which also could be locked or unlocked from an electrical switch on the dash. I put two push button switches out of sight, under the "hood" connected to the lock and unlock of the electric deadbolt (it also had a key entry).

That made it easy to get in and out, when I didn't have the key with me, or wanted to leave the keys inside, as when going for a hike.

I showed it to the new owner, have no idea if he ever used it or not, but I thought it was neat.

[Kosm1o]

Always. Make it a habit to always use a key. We always take two sets with us and leave one set in the truck. But after we discovered it was possible , we decided to always lock from the outside. And,.always lock the door when towing. And, use a special wooden or plastic wedge of some sort to secure the door just in case.

[Mikethefixit]

We carry 3 sets. WIFE,Myself and 1 in the TV. We also lock the door when towing and always use a rubber door stop thru the handhold,just in case.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Just wait 'til it locks itself when you shut it....

Alwaze karrey 'yer dorkey...

Bob

[Castaway]

We carry 3 sets. WIFE,Myself and 1 in the TV. We also lock the door when towing and always use a rubber door stop thru the handhold,just in case.
How do you do that??
Pictures?

Gary

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Just wait 'til it locks itself when you shut it....

Alwaze karrey 'yer dorkey...

Bob

Yup, the door locks do tend to lock themselves when you shut them.

[COUNTRYSONG]

I've have a spare set stashed in a magnetic case (Yup there is real steel in the airstream in multiple places) I have used it a time or two -- Countrysong

[sinjin]

I didn't even know it was possible to lock the door from the inside as you are going out. Is this true of all airstreams?

[MrUKToad]

Having read too many horror stories in this forum regarding doors that lock themselves, we always keep a spare set outside of the trailer. I have to say, though, that our 2011 model hasn't shown any signs of locking itself and I was wondering if the door lock design on the newer models had been altered to address the problem.

[bukib]

my 93 land yacht has a code operated system. i wrote the code in an unconspicous place. works perfectly keys or not.

[CanoeStream]

Originally Posted by overlander63

Yup, the door locks do tend to lock themselves when you shut them.

That happened to me just once. Fortunately I'd already instituted a firm policy that each of us are to have keys on us when we step outside. That improves our odds to 50:50 I figger... [not really - I'm OCD enough to have them on me 98% of the time]

[clancy_boy]

Originally Posted by MrUKToad

Having read too many horror stories in this forum regarding doors that lock themselves, we always keep a spare set outside of the trailer. I have to say, though, that our 2011 model hasn't shown any signs of locking itself and I was wondering if the door lock design on the newer models had been altered to address the problem.

No, and it will happen when you least expect it. That 3AM, I don't want to use the camper potty going to the park potty in my boxers cuz nobody is awake at this time and I am right next door and I can do this in a hurry, TIME. So, well, flashback, sorry, whew...... Put the keys in a magnetic holder and have one outside at all times.

[gsmithii]

Originally Posted by Castaway

We carry 3 sets. WIFE,Myself and 1 in the TV. We also lock the door when towing and always use a rubber door stop thru the handhold,just in case.
How do you do that??
Pictures?

Gary

Got all excited about learning something new when I saw Gary's question. Haven't seen the answer yet but sure could use the info.

[clancy_boy]

Originally Posted by gsmithii

Got all excited about learning something new when I saw Gary's question. Haven't seen the answer yet but sure could use the info.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f453...way-71991.html

Look at post 4 in this thread. Same idea using a store bought large rubber door stop to wedge the door cloase using the entry assist handle as the wedge point.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, I never leave my trailer without my keys in my pocket. I keep extra trailer keys in my Lincoln and extra Lincoln key in my trailer. I keep my Lincoln's door code in my wallet. I also have two more sets of trailer keys.

[Foiled Again]

Whither thou hidest thy stinky slinky,
there shalt thee hide thy spare keys


... and just DARE others to look for them.

[clancy_boy]

Originally Posted by Foiled Again

Whither thou hidest thy stinky slinky,
there shalt thee hide thy spare keys


... and just DARE others to look for them.

You want in that bad have at it....... There is nothing in a trialer I would want that bad.