De-Icer

[steilkurve]

Hey all. Just got my new AS. Thick of winter here so no camping short term but I certainly can visit the new toy at my storage place to start prepping it.

As I do, I’m starting to encounter frozen door locks. Didn’t have that with my previous AS given it was indoors during winter.

Luckily, the first time it happened, I had my heat gun with me and managed to thaw the locks. However, I’m not too keen on applying heat to the deadbolt given its plastic housing.

For next time, do folks seen any issue with using de-icer for car locks, the type that’s widely available at gas stations, hardware stores, etc.? Asking to avoid any potential damage to the lock mechanism or clear coat (if anything drips). Maybe I just try silicone spray? Thanks!

[tbrowne]

I generally use graphite lube for locks because powder won't freeze. Some locks though, are much more exposed to the elements and water can intrude into the mechanism and freeze regardless of what lube is used. Airstream door locks are in that category. Graphite lock lube is available at most big box stores as well as lock deicer. Having both on hand is a good bet. You might also want to spay rubber door seals with silicone so they don't freeze to the door frame and pull loose when you open the door.

[steilkurve]

Originally Posted by tbrowne

I generally use graphite lube for locks because powder won't freeze. Some locks though, are much more exposed to the elements and water can intrude into the mechanism and freeze regardless of what lube is used. Airstream door locks are in that category. Graphite lock lube is available at most big box stores as well as lock deicer. Having both on hand is a good bet. You might also want to spay rubber door seals with silicone so they don't freeze to the door frame and pull loose when you open the door.

Thanks. Got the graphite lubricant already. Used on my old Airstream. When locks are frozen though, I can’t even push the little key door. It’s stuck in place. That’s why I think I need something liquid to penetrate and let me insert the key.

De-icer is one if folks don’t think it’ll be bad for the mechanism or clear coat in the event of leaks.

Alternatively, I was wondering about silicone spray. Does that de-ice in people’s experience?

[uncle_bob]

Hi

You also might rig some sort of rubber "flap" to cover the lock ...

Bob

[steilkurve]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi

You also might rig some sort of rubber "flap" to cover the lock ...

Bob

Yeah but the issue isn’t frozen water on the surface of the lock. Looks like the little key hole door was frozen shut from the inside. I suspect it’s condensation from heating the trailer in cold temps. I didn’t to push too hard for fear of breaking the said little key hole door. Bet these are fragile.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by steilkurve

Yeah but the issue isn’t frozen water on the surface of the lock. Looks like the little key hole door was frozen shut from the inside. I suspect it’s condensation from heating the trailer in cold temps. I didn’t to push too hard for fear of breaking the said little key hole door. Bet these are fragile.

Hi

Yet another gotcha with winter use of your AS. If this is from condensation freezing, there may not be any magic spray. The problem could be pretty far from the key.

Bob

[steilkurve]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi

Yet another gotcha with winter use of your AS. If this is from condensation freezing, there may not be any magic spray. The problem could be pretty far from the key.

Bob

Oh, I don't think there's a condensation issue. I'm not doing winter camping with it or anything. No water dripping inside. I was just in it to do some work and heated it up. It was freezing cold outside. The difference between the two likely generated condensation in areas with more direct outside exposure, like the lock, which froze when I stopped heating it.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

If you are in the trailer and it's winter, you are pumping humidity into the trailer. The furnace vents outside, but you don't. You fill the warm air in the trailer with moisture. When the heat is shut off, all of that moisture condenses on the outside surfaces of the trailer. Camping or working, furnace or electric heater, you do get condensation. In most cases the windows will be what gets is first. If they aren't dripping, you likely don't have much of an issue.

Bob

[steilkurve]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi

If you are in the trailer and it's winter, you are pumping humidity into the trailer. The furnace vents outside, but you don't. You fill the warm air in the trailer with moisture. When the heat is shut off, all of that moisture condenses on the outside surfaces of the trailer. Camping or working, furnace or electric heater, you do get condensation. In most cases the windows will be what gets is first. If they aren't dripping, you likely don't have much of an issue.

Bob

Yes, got it. I don't think I have a condensation issue. I was just bringing up condensation upthread as the likely cause of my frozen door locks versus water from the outside (rain, melted snow) freezing the locks, hence the fact I don't think covering my locks from the outside would have helped in that situation.