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10-19-2003, 02:20 PM
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#1
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Rivet Master
1977 31' Sovereign
Tampa Bay
, ^
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 762
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Key Problem
Last week, I opened my battery compartment door and outside access panel to get to my Univolt. The key worked no problem. Now, I can't get it to open any of the access doors. I have only one key that the PO gave me. It is kind of worn, but always worked fine. Anyone have any suggestions?
I know I can remove the key assembly from the inside of the panels behind the fridge, under the bed area, and the rear plumbing access, but the water fill and battery compartment are not easily accessible from behind.
HELP! Thanks!
__________________
Out in the woods, or in the city, It's all the same to me.
When I'm drivin' free, the world's my home....When I'm mobile.
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10-19-2003, 03:33 PM
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#2
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4 Rivet Member
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 258
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the obvious is need of lube
If the key worked befor, one would think it is a lock mecchanism problem....with an older unit, if not used recently, last use may have introduced something that locked up tumblers...
Many lubes for mechanism available, I would start with powdered graphite, most would use a cleaner lube....your choice....lol...jem
__________________
The Silver Buffalo
Saturn with Blue OX towbar
WBCCI # 14067
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10-19-2003, 03:38 PM
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#3
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5 rivets, 1 loose screw
1966 20' Globetrotter
Saginaw County
, Michigan
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 1,555
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New key?
If all the locks are keyed alike, I would remove one and take it to a locksmith, who should be able to make you a new key.
Rog
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10-19-2003, 04:04 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1977 31' Sovereign
Tampa Bay
, ^
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 762
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I haven't as yet tried to lube/graphite the locks. Will try that tomorrow. It just seems odd that all of a sudden none of them would work. That leads me to believe it is the key. Unfortunately, I only have the one key.
Well, what's one more project to do on my Airstream? (Rhetorical question, said with a hint of sarcasm.)
Still undaunted!
__________________
Out in the woods, or in the city, It's all the same to me.
When I'm drivin' free, the world's my home....When I'm mobile.
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10-31-2003, 01:49 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1977 31' Sovereign
Tampa Bay
, ^
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 762
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Follow up for those that are interested...
The key the PO gave me, which worked for 2 years, was according to the locksmith not even close to being the right key. He was amazed that I was ever able to open those locks. Go figure! I still think my trailer and I were together in a previous life.
Anyways... he managed to get the one lock that I brought to him apart, and fabricated a new key that now works fine.
Total cost with 5 keys... $22.47 PRICELESS!
Much to my dismay (stupidity) the lock for the water fill is different, and the one key that I have fits, but won't turn. I think I can pull that lock from the inside right where the fresh water fill line comes in. Another day, another project!
Now I'm all keyed up!
__________________
Out in the woods, or in the city, It's all the same to me.
When I'm drivin' free, the world's my home....When I'm mobile.
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10-31-2003, 02:01 PM
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#6
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Just a member
1978 28' Argosy 28
Lutz
, Florida
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,549
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You may be suprised to find that the water fill is not all that easy to get to to pull the lock.
Time to have a contest!
First forum member that has a key that fits (there are only so many combos) gets ??????
Or take it to a vintage rally and ask the attendees if they would come over and try their keys. Getting a copy made is cheap.
You may be asking why is the water key different...........
It was for saftey sake, as it was explained to me by an elder member. The exterior compartment keys on many years were ALL alike. My keys opened many other owners trailers, but the water doors were from a diffrent vendor, and this meant your key would only fit 1 in ?? trailers. This minimizes the risk of someone contaminating your water supply.
__________________
Brett G
WBCCI #5501 AIR # 49
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1978 Argosy 28 foot Motorhome
Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something. -- Plato
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10-31-2003, 02:15 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1977 31' Sovereign
Tampa Bay
, ^
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 762
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Hey! You are in Tampa. Maybe your key will fit mine? LOL Wishful thinking.
Yes, I figured it was a safety thing. I was just out there crawling around under the sink, and I think you are right. It ain't gonna be easy to get to. I've started soaking the lock with WD-40, as the other locks were VERY tight. I'm hoping it will eventually loosen up. The key fits nice, but won't turn. I have only opened the fill maybe once or twice in the last few years, and I am guessing it is just corroded from the humidity, and with some persistance, I will get it to turn... hopefully.
__________________
Out in the woods, or in the city, It's all the same to me.
When I'm drivin' free, the world's my home....When I'm mobile.
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10-31-2003, 02:24 PM
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#8
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5 rivets, 1 loose screw
1966 20' Globetrotter
Saginaw County
, Michigan
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 1,555
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The easiest and best thing to do might be simply to drill out the water fill lock and replace it with a lock same as on other compartments so all are keyed alike.
Rog
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10-31-2003, 07:39 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1984 29' Sovereign
Savannah
, Missouri
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,478
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You might be
Just to let you know..I have reasons to believe that A/S uses the same lock and key for all A/S units.( for the outside compartment door's locks)
Last year while at the factory, I walked up to the new Bambi half shell used in the lobby and, tried my keys on the still functional side doors..My keys are from a 20 yr old unit..Every one of them worked~!
The only one I can't say for sure is the front door key..
JTULTK..
ciao
__________________
WBCCI 5292 AIR 807
NEU #64
New England Unit
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11-01-2003, 08:34 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1977 31' Sovereign
Tampa Bay
, ^
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 762
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Key Problem--- Solved!
As it turns out, the water fill lock was merely corroded from not having been opened in a long time. Some heavy soaking of WD-40, in addition to light taps with a hammer, released it. It is all lubed up and working fine.
I learned my lesson about not letting mechanical things go unused for long periods of time. As I get closer to getting my money pit (said with Love of course) rolling, I'm starting a routine of checking all functions. I don't want to hear, "Houston, we have a problem" anymore!
__________________
Out in the woods, or in the city, It's all the same to me.
When I'm drivin' free, the world's my home....When I'm mobile.
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11-01-2003, 01:51 PM
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#11
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Just an old timer...
2004 22' Interstate
Tipton
, Iowa
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,766
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WD-40 vs. graphite lube for locks
Sneakinup...
Now that you've got your locks working and free, I'd suggest hitting all of them with carburetor cleaner a couple of times to get all of the WD-40 and other particulate gunk out of them. You can pick up some spray-graphite lube called Lock-Eze at any hardware store. After you've cleaned the locks out with the carb cleaner, spray the Lock-Eze in the keyway and work the key in and out a few times, then turn the lock several times. Sometimes a second squirt is called for.
The liquid carrier in the Lock-Eze evaporates and merely leaves the graphite in the lock as the lubricant. It is my understanding that WD -40, for all it's wonderous properties, will turn to varnish and attracts and traps gunk inside of the lockset; not a good thing to have in a lock.
I'm on my second spray can of Lock-Eze in about 15 years, so the stuff really lasts forever. I use it whenever I have a lock that begins to get stiff. It's great stuff.
Roger
__________________
havin' to fix my broken Airstreams since 1987...
AIR 2053 Current: 2004 Airstream Interstate "B-Van" T1N DODGE Sprinter
Former Airstreams: 1953 Flying Cloud, 1957 Overlander, 1961 Bambi, 1970 Safari Special, 1978 Argosy Minuet, 1985 325 Moho, 1994 Limited 34' Two-door, 1994 B190 "B-Van"
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11-02-2003, 05:29 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Pittsfield
, Maine
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,108
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Keys
While on the subject of keys - I've had to contact my dealer for additional keys. I tried every locksmith in town and none could provide the correct TRI/MARK blank for the front door. I'm still waiting for a response. In the meanwhile, I'm carefully guarding my one key!
__________________
Cracker
2003 GMC 3500 D/A, CC, LB, 4x4 and 2000 Airstream Excella 30. WBCCI 7074
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11-02-2003, 07:51 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master
1977 31' Sovereign
Tampa Bay
, ^
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 762
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I went to Lowe's last night to get a duplicate key made for the only "one" that I have for the water fill, and they don't do double sided keys that small. Looks like another trip to a real locksmith. Those guys are amazing. Some really cool stuff in their stores. Surveillance cameras and systems, alarms, etc. Makes me want to wire my trailer up for protection.
I may buy one of those small combination or key lock wall safes, and mount in the floor under my couch area where I know I have room below the plywood. Good for storing important papers and such.
__________________
Out in the woods, or in the city, It's all the same to me.
When I'm drivin' free, the world's my home....When I'm mobile.
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10-11-2006, 05:02 PM
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#14
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New Member
1969 31' Sovereign
Phoenix
, Arizona
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 3
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Interesting information about keys...I have a 69 S airstream...was able to replace the cylinder and replace...now when it comes to the three compartment doors...well that is another story....I have been to (5) locksmiths...the problem is, compartment door keys (the ones on outside of the trailer) to remove, you have to use the key to remove the tumbler...well if I had the key, and it fit, I would not need to remove the tumbler...after all this time I was able to get a locksmith to make a key for the one compartment....but it will not even come close to working on the others...what brain surgeon would make the keys different, other then the main entry door????? The keys I have been looking for is the "Chesler Blank" if anyone has one or any, and wants to part with them, let me know....also what is the name of your lockmith that make you all the keys for $22.47...maybe he can help me?
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10-15-2006, 01:26 AM
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#15
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Rivet Master
1966 24' Tradewind
Placerville
, California
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,328
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 53FlyingCloud
Just to let you know..I have reasons to believe that A/S uses the same lock and key for all A/S units.( for the outside compartment door's locks)
Last year while at the factory, I walked up to the new Bambi half shell used in the lobby and, tried my keys on the still functional side doors..My keys are from a 20 yr old unit..Every one of them worked~!
The only one I can't say for sure is the front door key..
JTULTK..
ciao
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A number of years ago I needed a main door key for our SOB trailer. I went to the sales lot where we bought the trailer new. After explaining that we had no spare keys and requesting a new lockset with keys I followed the salesman into a back room where he pulled a battery size box from a shelf. The box was full of keys. He reached in and pulled 2 or 3 at random and handed the keys to me with, "All the (SOB) trailers use the samme key." Comforting!
Neil.
__________________
Neil and Lynn Holman
FreshAir #12407
Avatar;
Kirk Creek, Big Sur, Ca. coast.
1966 Trade Wind
1971 Buick Centurion convertible
455 cid
1969 Oldsmobile Ninety Eight
455 cid
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