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adamgraves · 05-04-2011, 09:36 PM

AS came w no keys. Was able to get keys made for all but water fill door. Got two dif keys from airstream dealer. None worked. Any ideas?

**azflycaster** · 05-04-2011, 09:43 PM

I have had the same problem trying to get a second set of keys for my trailer. The double edged water door is the only key that I do not have a duplicate for.

TG Twinkie · 05-04-2011, 09:59 PM

I have a '74 Argosy, it has a water door that is sort of like a funnel when you open it. The number on the key is 87 and it is not a double edged key. Hope this helps.

Wsmith · 05-04-2011, 10:17 PM

I called Airstream and they sent me keys out for an '85 The key is a DECO 1 and it is a stamped key with the notches on one side. Seems like my '79 may have had double sided key. A good locksmith can also make it. I was also told that you can sometimes use a screwdriver and turn it. Turn it counter clockwise so you are loosening and not tightening the nut.

**DKB_SATX** · 05-04-2011, 10:27 PM

This is timely... the PO of my Argosy never had the key for the fresh-water fill, and he said he just always stayed where there was a water hookup and they carried bottled water to drink anyway.

I'm planning to have a locksmith take a look at it. One thing that complicates mine is that some yoyo (apparently at the factory in '75!) riveted the front data plate with its edge across the edge of the lock cylinder. It might be a pain if the lock cylinder has to come out.

**DKB_SATX** · 06-24-2011, 04:40 PM

The lock for the '70s Thetford fresh-water fill door on most Airstream and Argosy trailers is apparently a "Double-sided Illinois H keyway" lock. This is not a common lock, and the locksmith I went to doesn't have any key blanks or "tryout keys" for that keyway. (I chose this one because it's an established business and was between the storage facility and the house.)

At least they gave me all the info they could about the lock, charged me nothing for their efforts and recommended a couple of other places to call.

Out of Doors Mart apparently sometimes sells the key, but it's out of stock at the moment.

Water Fill Key WF-01 - $6.95 : Out-of-Doors Mart!, More Airstream Parts on-line than anyone!

I'll be watching that if I don't find the key another way.

For '74 Airstreams, the Mother Ship lists "G248" as the water-fill key, and that's an Illinois double-sided key so I'm going to give my local dealer a call on Monday and try to get one of those (of course I found that info JUST after 5 today... *sigh*

The final fall-back position is to buy a bunch of them from this place, they'll cut Illinois keys by key-code but they have a minimum $25 order, so I may have a couple of spares soon.

Inland RV Center, In · 06-24-2011, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamgraves

AS came w no keys. Was able to get keys made for all but water fill door. Got two dif keys from airstream dealer. None worked. Any ideas?

If the door is plastic, allow it to heat up in the sun.

Or, heat it with a hair drier, to about 130 degrees, NO MORE.

Then with a butter knife, you can flex the door enough to open, by placing the knife blade at the door opening side, and giving the knife a little twist.

Andy

**DKB_SATX** · 07-05-2011, 02:39 PM

Out of Doors Mart has the G248 key in stock again, if that's the one you need. I've already ordered mine!

captmatt · 07-30-2011, 06:58 PM

While I was trying to locate a locksmith with easy access (I live in the sticks so it is cheaper if I go to them.) I ordered a "beginners" lock picking kit from the web. I figured the cam locks on the panel doors couldn't have more than 3 or 4 barrels, should be easy to pick. $28 later and about 3 minutes of labor and maybe 2 hours of research... water hatch is opened and lock is replaced with a lock keyed the same as the battery door. DIY!!! BTW, I am a boat captain and know nothing of locks and the replacements were found at Home Depot.

captmatt · 07-30-2011, 07:01 PM

Oh... double sided lock, well I didn't have that to deal with, good luck!

**DKB_SATX** · 07-30-2011, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by captmatt

Oh... double sided lock, well I didn't have that to deal with, good luck!

The G248 key was right for mine, so now I have a pair of keys.

Antipode · 12-28-2011, 09:13 PM

'75 28' Argosy needed single sided, Taylor Y11 fit and I cut it with jewelry files, original was missing. Problem was lock barrel is in the trailer not the door and I didn't want to pull side walls above the fill tube to change that one.

I changed the other three doors with same key set and length locks as originals but there's about a 1/4 inch play in master and fridge doors except battery door. I even inverted the offset bended pawl. Where did the extra space come from? Any suggestions on a filler between the door lip and new pawl?

Thanks.

TG Twinkie · 12-28-2011, 10:40 PM

The doors on my trailer were lose when locked. The gaskets looked good so I riveted a 1/8"x 1/2" piece of Aluminum flat stock on the inside of the opening in the area where the pawl makes contact. I made the piece long enough so when I riveted it in the pawl would not contact the rivets. Now I must put slight pressure on the door to lock and unlock it. My concern was losing a door going down the road along with heat lose in cooler weather. Now they are nice and snug in the openings.

Steve & Susan · 12-29-2011, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

If the door is plastic, allow it to heat up in the sun.

Or, heat it with a hair drier, to about 130 degrees, NO MORE.

Then with a butter knife, you can flex the door enough to open, by placing the knife blade at the door opening side, and giving the knife a little twist.

Andy

Sounds like Andy may have had the nickname "fingers" in a prior life

lewishw · 03-26-2012, 07:45 AM

I have the same style of fresh water door on my 78 sovereign, (the funnel type with an aluminum panel on the outside) and on mine the entire lock is destroyed, I have to use a screwdriver to open and close the damn fresh water door. Are replacement lock cylinders readily available? I really done even care if it locks so much as I want it to be easier to open and close! Any suggestions?

Stream on!

Hunter

**DKB_SATX** · 03-26-2012, 09:20 AM

I think the lock cylinder is pretty similar to those you'd find on the tool boxes on "service body" trucks. The main thing you'd need is to match the diameter and depth. It may be that the actual locking tab could be taken off your old one if it's a unique shape.

Dawn Bender · 08-22-2020, 07:56 AM

Does anyone have a water compartment key for a ‘78 argosy minuet? Some direction to get one would help the other listed in this forum seems to be up to ‘75. Anyone have luck with it working for older models?

**DKB_SATX** · 08-22-2020, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dawn Bender

Does anyone have a water compartment key for a ‘78 argosy minuet? Some direction to get one would help the other listed in this forum seems to be up to ‘75. Anyone have luck with it working for older models?

Here's the link for where I bought the water-fill keys for my older Argosy. I don't know if the Minuet used the same Thetford water inlet. Note that 2 of the images in the page show the water inlet and a close-up of the keyhole. If that looks like yours, it's worth a shot.

http://odmrv.com/catalog/index.php?m...roducts_id=581

It's the same URL I posted 9 yrs ago, but the price has nearly doubled.