Door latch failed, lucky we were outside.

[captmatt]

Our old girl is full of surprises! This trip the door latch failed, locksmith had to drill it out. Glad we were outside when it failed! Inland RV seems to be tops in the field (even though I did need to customize the support jacks, good learning time...) Any opinions before I order "Part #: 22390"

[vesque1]

Just noticed your post about the door lock. I'm in the same situation with my '86 Sovereign. How did the lock from Inland work?

[captmatt]

Worked well, I guess. Let's just say it was the best option I found. I did only minimal modification to door (cutting away bits of door to accommodate new lock) and even that killed me to do. Handle & lock has a deadbolt that could not be used unless I made new holes in door and frame, didn't do it not worried I still have deadbolt from A.S. working. I recommend you go slow, assemble lock including tight fitting aluminum panels it comes with to cover old lock hole left exposed repeatedly as you make progress making cuts at door to allow for new handle/lock. On my baby, I now need to give the door a slight slam to get it to latch (not too bad) but it works! One more thing, it arrives with not one bit of instruction or documentation. Inland does warn you you may want to hire a mechanic type person if this kind of stuff is out side your comfort zone... But if it was why would we own such wonderfully old trailers. Best of Luck, Quality metal snips, grinding tool and patience will help!

[Dan and Liz]

Kit is $70 at Out-of-Doors Mart

[captmatt]

I don't see how a kit for $70 is the same handle I installed. It was not a factory match (they don't exist) but it could not have been produced for under a hundred bucks, even wholesale. Not saying you didn't find a door latch for $70, but I was able to find only one that would fit the '87 Sovereign. I have seen a replacement handle for the door latch for about that price, as a matter of fact I have one brand new for sale cheap if all you need is the pull handle. I was sure mine would fail soon due to cracks, but I had a total replacement due to internal breakage first.

[captmatt]

OMG it IS the same Lock!!! GREAT Find!

[perryg114]

You got a photo of what went in the hole? It sorta looks like a Keeler lock.

Perry

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by captmatt

OMG it IS the same Lock!!! GREAT Find!

OMG.

No it isn't the same.

Knock offs, many times, look very close to being the same, but are not.

There are different markings on the locks.

We have more invested in our kit, than their selling price.

Andy

[captmatt]

Oh my... Didn't mean to stir sh** up but I guess it just happens some times. I'll try and post some detailed photos of the new lock. I side with Andy on first blush. This was a quality latch/lock I installed but the photo I saw was a very good match to what I ordered... I don't have a dog in this fight, my latch is already replaced.

"Can't we all just get camping?"

[captmatt]

This is what was left of what WAS on the AS. Locksmith did say a safe would have been easier to get open...

[perryg114]

You lock smith was a hack. All that was needed was to push on the two little tabs that the handle rubs against. That is a lock from Keeler Brass company. New handles are available from VTS and probably Inland. I make some billet aluminum handles that won't break. I think the ones from VTS are castings and are better than the one that came on the trailer are still a casting.

Perry

[captmatt]

No tabs were there, that is what broke, internal mech. failed in some way, it just happens after many years and lots of rain. Handel was broken in attempt to open latch by locksmith... after the fact. I have a new handle on my work bench as I was waiting for the old one to fail. Never did till I needed a pro and a fine locksmith at that. Don't let the postmortem photo fool you. I'll sell the handle at a discount if you are interested...

[astrocaver]

My door latch failed on my 1986 25" Sovereign and we could not get in. The solution was to send my tall but thin grandson thru the storage compartment and out the bed on the drivers side. Had to jack up the bed to get thru. He could not get the door open from the inside either. Had him release the emergency exit on the back window so we could get in. Had to take apart the lock from the inside, not easy as the screen blocked some of it. Found that the dead bolt had failed and it had to be worked out to get the door open. Had to wire the door shut for the rest of the trip. Finding that there were no replacement parts I ended up making my own part. It has been fine since. I was not willing to patch my door to put in the Airstream solution and it was very expensive.

[perryg114]

I had new tabs welded to mine. Pretty easy fix. I made my own latch handle a sold a few of those on here. VTS is selling the cast ones again.

Perry