Locked out of 09 international 23 fb

[tmarquis]

I do have an open window. I am worried about ruining the screen if I push on it. I only need to unseat the screen (from the rubber gasket) at the corner then I can grab the keys off the table. Can I easily reseat the screen into the groove / gasket ? Any other ideas?

Thanks Tom

[Snedwid]

IMHO, whenever I have messed with a screen, it never fits back the same, and always required a trip to the screen shop guy. That said, are you due for new screens anyway? Another solution is to have a locksmith pick the lock for you, that can be an easy solution. When its all over, be sure to get a spare and hide it in a metal box and/or at least put a copy in the tug.

[overlander63]

A new screen is cheaper than a visit from the locksmith.

[reinergirl]

Why not just cut a slit in the screen , reach in and grab the keys, screening is designed to be replaced...

[AirsDream]

Yes, after reading stories like this (but usually from a writer with no open window!), I put extra door keys on all key rings for my tow vehicle and also attached one to the trailer someplace where it cannot be seen but can (with some effort) be reached by someone (me) who knows what he's trying to find. So far, haven't needed it! Sorta' like that umbrella you take along "just in case."

[tmarquis]

Yeah I'm on the fence. A screen maybe cheaper than a locksmith in theory. But it i s a new airstream and everything that had broken to date has been expensive and a time consuming trip to the dealer. That said I was never able to get spare keys because I have not found a key duping place that carries the unique airstream key,

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by tmarquis

Yeah I'm on the fence. A screen maybe cheaper than a locksmith in theory. But it i s a new airstream and everything that had broken to date has been expensive and a time consuming trip to the dealer. That said I was never able to get spare keys because I have not found a key duping place that carries the unique airstream key,

We have provided a "lock out kit" at no charge, so you won't go through the same issue again.

All you need to do is send us a SASE with 2 stamps on the envelope and we will send you that lock out kit, at no charge.

Andy

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by tmarquis

Yeah I'm on the fence. A screen maybe cheaper than a locksmith in theory. But it i s a new airstream and everything that had broken to date has been expensive and a time consuming trip to the dealer. That said I was never able to get spare keys because I have not found a key duping place that carries the unique airstream key,

The screen material is standard stuff you can get at any hardware store. You can buy key blanks and have them sent to you, and take them to the same hardware store you got your screen material from for duplication. You're overthinking this, and making it harder than it needs to be.

[m.hony]

If the fire escape window is open then crawl through it. It has a loop in the spline on the inside to pull it out. I would this one would be easier to replace.

[m.hony]

Wait a minute. Something's wrong here. Is that possible? I use my keys to lock the door. Is there another way to lock the door that I am unaware of? If you have the deadbolt lock in the locked position while the door is open the door will not close. The bolt will be sticking out and hit the door frame. I don't know about the top lock. I've never tried to lock the door first and then close it. I always close the door first and then lock it. Same with the car.

[Foiled Again]

I locked my purse and keys inside one time. The windows were closed but I was able to use a coat hanger to unlock the one directly over the couch where the purse was - and once I swung the window up and out of the way I simply punched the screen with my fist until it came out of the spline in the lower corner. Standing on a stepladder I reached my purse and pulled it out. Got the keys, went inside, closed the window, pulled enough of the rubber spline out of the groove to lay the screen back under and reinstalled the spline.

NO PROBLEM re-installing the spline, but I do use an unusual tool. The regular tool looks like a blunt pizza cutter, and you roll the spline in with the screen under it, then cut off the excess screen surrounding the spline. When you are working with an already cut screen, I've found that the spline tool will stretch the spline or fail to catch enough of the screen to stretch it taut, or both. It looks like hell and pulls loose too. Instead I used a piece of silverware - a fork. My pattern has a blunt end a little over 1/2 inch wide. I carefully punch the spline back in at about 2 inch intervals, then go back and punch in the gaps. Nothing stretches out of place.

Oh yeah, I know you gotta be thrilled that the windows will open that easily. I should note that I have the SE windows, not the small Herr's that only open on the bottom. If you want to make the handles so that they cannot be turned you'd probably have to get some kind of spring loaded tube that could fit over both handles, or drill holes in the handles and have a hasp that goes through both holes- a bent coat hanger segment maybe.

Also If you move the lower lock to the locked position and close the door - it will stay locked - no key needed. Some people report that the inside lock handle is loose enough that if you slam the door, it will flip from unlocked to locked. Inland RV's free kit is effective but also a source of a good chuckle. I've personally never had the problem, but my handle is pretty tight.

Spare key - (I'm evil) I tell folks there's one inside the sewer pipe cover... go ahead and get it and wash it off if you want. No one has ever tried to find it there as far as I know.

Paula

[daveswenson]

Originally Posted by m.hony

Wait a minute. Something's wrong here. Is that possible? I use my keys to lock the door. Is there another way to lock the door that I am unaware of? If you have the deadbolt lock in the locked position while the door is open the door will not close. The bolt will be sticking out and hit the door frame. I don't know about the top lock. I've never tried to lock the door first and then close it. I always close the door first and then lock it. Same with the car.

Yes, it's possible and it's how we lock ourselves out frequently. My strategy is to keep a key in the TV that I can access with the keypad on the door. If it hasn't happened to you yet, it will.

[AirsDream]

Originally Posted by m.hony

I use my keys to lock the door. Is there another way to lock the door that I am unaware of? If you have the deadbolt lock in the locked position while the door is open the door will not close.

Sounds right to me ... except - apparently slamming the door too hard or road vibration can in some cases cause the deadbolt on some models of locks to slide forward, engage, and voila! So as a public service, Andy provides a kit that I think contains a spring that keeps that from happening. I attached a little adhesive-backed hook to the interior side of my door latch mechanism and put a strongish rubber band that's looped over the deadbolt "knob" and the little hook, so that there is constant tension keeping the deadbolt from engaging. At night or whenever I want to set the deadbolt, I just remove the rubber band and set it aside until morning.

[TBRich]

If the screen material is not damaged and the spline is not broken and not entirely removed you can re-install it.

Our dog jumped against the front window and knocked the screen out of the spline track in one corner ... We were able to re-insert the material and spline in a few minutes using a not-too-sharp table knife to force the spine into position.

[AirsDream]

or even popsicle sticks work pretty well for putting that spline back in. Tongue depressors are thinner and because of their width, are stronger. Next time you're at your doc's and he/she wants to look down your throat, tell them you'll comply only if you get an extra stick!

[mandolindave]

For obvious safety reasons, I locked my trailer door right before hitting the road. The little lady decided at the last minute to bring along forty seven more outfits, and tried to open the locked door. The lock broke, and we were locked out. As fate would have it, the widow above the kitchen sink was unlocked, so I pulled off the screen and crawled through the window to get in.
During the road trip, I discovered that my 50s diner style sink faucet pivoted around, and outside the window. Now I can reach inside the window and enjoy an outdoor water supply.