Getting locked out

[Wingeezer]

Something strange happens with the door lock on our 2004 Classic. It involves the main lock, not the deadbolt.


For some reason, this has so far only happened to me and not to my wife. Either that is just coincidence, or it is something that I am doing inadvertently to cause the problem.

When I exit the trailer and close the door behind me, it will sometimes lock itself, locking me out!

My wife thinks that somehow I am moving the latch lever to the lock position when I grab the handle inside the door to get out - but I've looked closely at that and it doesn't seem likely to me.

I thought perhaps I was slamming the door too hard and maybe causing the latch lever to flip to the lock position, but in reality, my wife probably slams the door harder than I do and it has yet to happen to her!

Anyone else ever experience this?

I always try to remember to take keys with me to ensure I don't get locked out, but it is a continuing concern!

I've come up with a simple-minded fix by making a little plastic gadget that hangs on the inside latch lever and can be flipped over to brace against the door handle, so preventing the latch lever from moving. As long as I remember to have it in the right position, It should prevent the latch lever from moving and solve the problem.

Of course it must be flipped out of the way when we want to lock the trailer.


Although this should solve the problem, I'm still curious as to why this has been happening and if anyone else has experienced this!

I recall I did once find a small machine screw near the doorway and wondered where it came from. I thought perhaps the latch mechanism although I couldn't see any missing screw and all seemed to work normally.

I have wondered if perhaps my wife is just trying to give me a subtle "Message" by locking me out, but it has happened not only when she is still in the trailer, but also when she is outside!

Any clues? .................. Brian.

[Minno]

Inland RV might have a solution for you. Check this thread: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f206...its-60108.html

Chris

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by Wingeezer

...Anyone else ever experience this?...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f453...fix-32012.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f453...ock-48959.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f453...out-63036.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f206...its-48592.html

cheers
2air'

[Foiled Again]

Black electrician's tape.... tape a spare key somewhere inside the tube where you store your stinky slinky.

Paula

[Inland RV Center, In]

Lock out kits are "FREE" for the asking.

Just send us a SASE and we will send the kit back to you, with instructions included.

This "lock out" is an on going problem, that should have never happened.

Poor design.??????

Andy

[Wingeezer]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Lock out kits are "FREE" for the asking.

Just send us a SASE and we will send the kit back to you, with instructions included.

This "lock out" is an on going problem, that should have never happened.

Poor design.??????

Andy

Hi Andy, A SASE from me won't do any good as we are in Canada - can you charge shipping to VISA or PAYPAL if I provide detail?

Alternately can you give me an idea what is involved in the kit and maybe I can improvise myself?

From what I have now read, it sounds as though the problem is being caused by me slamming the door together with a design flaw.

I seem to have to slam the door fairly hard to get it to close, despite lots of silicon lube, not cranking the stabilizers up too much etc!

What I have done so far to solve my lockout problem - but not yet had chance to try - is to make a simple "brace" cut out of 1/8" plastic panel. it has a hole so that it goes over the lock lever inside the door, and can be flipped over to hook onto the door handle.

My idea is that when in place, it makes it impossible for the latch lever to physically move. I am "Assuming" that will prevent the problem but I don't know enough abut the lock mechanism to be sure it will work.

What do you think? Should it work?

Does your "fix" work in a similar way, or does it somehow involve adding a friction element to make the door handle rotation stiffer?

Or is it based on an entirely different cunning and ingenious solution?!


Thanks ............ Brian. (Burlington Ontario)

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Wingeezer

Hi Andy, A SASE from me won't do any good as we are in Canada - can you charge shipping to VISA or PAYPAL if I provide detail?

Alternately can you give me an idea what is involved in the kit and maybe I can improvise myself?

From what I have now read, it sounds as though the problem is being caused by me slamming the door together with a design flaw.

I seem to have to slam the door fairly hard to get it to close, despite lots of silicon lube, not cranking the stabilizers up too much etc!

What I have done so far to solve my lockout problem - but not yet had chance to try - is to make a simple "brace" cut out of 1/8" plastic panel. it has a hole so that it goes over the lock lever inside the door, and can be flipped over to hook onto the door handle.

My idea is that when in place, it makes it impossible for the latch lever to physically move. I am "Assuming" that will prevent the problem but I don't know enough abut the lock mechanism to be sure it will work.

What do you think? Should it work?

Does your "fix" work in a similar way, or does it somehow involve adding a friction element to make the door handle rotation stiffer?

Or is it based on an entirely different cunning and ingenious solution?!


Thanks ............ Brian. (Burlington Ontario)

Brian.

PM us your address, and we will send the kit to you.

Gotta keep up the good will between the countries, you know.

Andy

[richinny]

Canada has letter carriers too ;-)

[Wingeezer]

Originally Posted by richinny

Canada has letter carriers too ;-)

Its not the SA part, rather the SE part!

Brian

[richinny]

well, when you get it you'll know what to put into the thank you card :-)