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Clyde-2 · 08-16-2009, 07:41 AM

I just bought my neighbors 1972 Overlander and it is locked. He says he has the key but I can't wait a week for him to find it !! I need to get in there and start making my list of things to do. Can some PM me and advise me on how to break into this thing !! All of the window screens are in tact and secured so I can't climb thru a window. Thanks !!

cmipilot · 08-16-2009, 07:50 AM

I speak from experience. Bite the bullet and call a locksmith. Not only will he pick the lock for you, he can create a new key from scratch right on the spot. Why? What if your neighbor NEVER finds the lost key?

Melody Ranch · 08-16-2009, 07:56 AM

I had that problem too with a new to me Airstream. I took it to the locksmith in Gainsville and they fixed it right away and made duplicate keys for everything.

Clyde-2 · 08-16-2009, 07:58 AM

I'm just impatient to get started on our AS. He will find the key, it just may take him a few days.

Think of Doc Brown from Back to the Future looking for keys in his workshop !!! That is what my neighbor is like !!!

richinny · 08-16-2009, 08:06 AM

start with the outside first. repack the bearings and adjust the brakes. clean out the debris from the furnace, water heater and fridge areas. give it a nice wash. inspect the roof vent gaskets. that should keep you busy in this heat!

or, if it has awnings, sit under it and practice relaxing with your trailer.

Lumatic · 08-16-2009, 08:15 AM

It is likely the lock cylinder is worn and any Airstream key or small key will open the lock. You can also slam the cylinder from the outside by screwing in a good size screw and use that as a handle to pull the cylinder out (or so I have been told). You could jiggle a thin piece of metal inside a window to unlock the catches. You probably have a screen that needs replacing anyway.

Yhottys · 08-16-2009, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lumatic

It is likely the lock cylinder is worn and any Airstream key or small key will open the lock.

We've found this to be true with our 1974 Tradewind when we "lost" the keys for a few months. Miraculously they showed up between two copper vases Gemma placed in the basement-Murray found them. Thank goodness because the door lock was the least of our worries-the Gorilla hitch lock was also on the same key ring and of course the lock was engaged.

Good luck and congratulations on your new to you Airstream! We've been following your earlier thread-she looks amazingly well preserved. What a nice neighbor you have! We're sure he's happy to know the trailer will be taken care of and appreciated.

Happy and safe journeys,

Aerowood · 08-16-2009, 09:31 AM

Be Carefull with that latch as it is the KT style and replacements are VERY expensive.

Clyde-2 · 08-16-2009, 10:53 AM

Was able to break into the old girl by pushing the screen in on one of the windows. The windows were not locked from the inside. But not before I found a key in my collection that would turn the door lock but I broke it off in the cylinder. Was able to get the lock assembly out and removed the broken key.

My neighbor has a bunch of stuff stored in this trailer and I wasn't able to look in all the spaces completely. Fortunately he put lots of rat poison out when he stored it. However, I think I may set the new record for most rat sh!t per square foot of trailer !!! All of the sliding doors (whataya call that stuff) except for just a couple are perfect and worked fine after a little persuasion. Inside of frige and oven are perfect. No soft spots in floor encountered thus far. AC cover and vent hatches have some hail damage and appear to be the cause of some minor water damage but most of the water was absorbed by the many boxes of papers stored in it.

Inspected underside best I could and didn't see anything that looked abnormal. I did notice that the spare tire carrier is in a spot that could be easily drug off if you aren't careful.

Hopefully will get her towed over to my house within the next few days and start the resto.

Pics attached.

Clyde-2 · 08-16-2009, 10:58 AM

More pics.....story of this trailer is that the original owner was a doctor in California and used to drag it to Guadelajara during the summers. My neighbor is the 2nd Owner.