storage lock jammed

[Jstockler]

Any advice for how to open a jammed storage door—the one that the 41 key should open? Key goes but won’t turn and we can’t get going till it does! 2019 international fb thanks—julie

[Wazbro]

Try some graphite or other dry lube, put on key insert into lock a few times, might loosen it up.

[Ray Eklund]

WD-40... the can with the plastic straight, removable spray nozzle. Spray into key slot under pressure, by moving the metal cover over it, slightly, with the key or small screw driver. Let it be absorbed by whatever is causing the problem. A minute or two. Reinsert the key... spray again. Give it a few minutes. As the key goes in completely, give it some time, maybe more spray and slight force. If you break the key... you were too anxious... or go the the 'front bed method'.

Take pliers, as a lever, and if the key goes in fully... gently work the key back and forth. It if begins to move a bit more... WD-40 to rinse it. Repeat. Once the WD-40 evaporates, no odor. Otherwise go to my Plan B following...

If all else fails, if you have a Front Bed, remove mattress, remove the wood paneling and take the latch apart, open and remove key and figure out what is wrong.

I do not lock ours. The propane tanks protect this area and it is unusual to have a problem. We have two in the 27FBQ. Work just fine... and unlocked. If someone is going to steal your black water hose and extension cord... let them. The repairs will cost $100's to fix the pried open door. Just saying...

[Jstockler]

We were well past WD-40 and graphite when I wrote, but thanks all the same. We removed 34,000 screws from the bed and were able to unlatch the mechanism and take it off door. . My husband stripped the mechanism down to just the key and the lock itself, and it still would not turn. It was, in his technical assessment, f***up. He was able to put everything back so the latch works without the lock. If you find us, (currently in southern Utah), help yourself to two dog bones and an extension cord. By the way, it turns out a replacement lock with keys is just about the cheapest replacement part you can buy from Airstream—just 29 bucks! Off now to put back 34,000 screws—-and did I mention that several screws do not even align into a hole ???!.

[Turbulence]

I had a storage bin lock jam the night before a trip once. We finally got it open - but I no longer lock those bins

Scotty

[Ray Eklund]

Originally Posted by Jstockler

We were well past WD-40 and graphite when I wrote, but thanks all the same. We removed 34,000 screws from the bed and were able to unlatch the mechanism and take it off door. . My husband stripped the mechanism down to just the key and the lock itself, and it still would not turn. It was, in his technical assessment, f***up. He was able to put everything back so the latch works without the lock. If you find us, (currently in southern Utah), help yourself to two dog bones and an extension cord. By the way, it turns out a replacement lock with keys is just about the cheapest replacement part you can buy from Airstream—just 29 bucks! Off now to put back 34,000 screws—-and did I mention that several screws do not even align into a hole ???!.

******
Does the key fit the opposite side and works? If the answer is yes... it is not the key. It is a problem with the lock cylinder and the flat brass 'tumblers'. These are cheap locks, intended to keep the door from opening on bumpy roads. Not to deter thieves from breaking and entry.

Pull out the cylinder. Insert the key. Are the brass 'tumblers' flush? If they are, you have other problems than the key and lock mechanism.

Remove the cylinder of the 'working side'. Compare. Move that one to the side that is giving you grief. If it works, then look at the cylinder that does not work... closer.

These are cheap, unsophisticated, easy to break pot metal components.

If the 'tumblers' are not perfectly flush in the cylinder, with the key inserted, you have to file down those flush. Pull out the cylinder if you want to spend more time to understand how locks... work.

I have done a hundred high security antique slot machine cylinders and matching keys and make tumblers work to open and close.

For you, probably buy a new replacement. Then you can experiment. Did this lock give you previous problems?

I would pull the lock out, check the tumblers, installing the key in and out, in minutes and reinstall, test if they key/cylinder work.

Now is a good time to learn. Press the side that key does not work. Try to turn it... is another technique. Did the lock work at before it did not?

Then you better purchase a replacement. I guess the bracket in the rear is not included. So check. The bracket could be hung up on the back side.

It is like saying my car does not start. So.... Good luck.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Older unit BUT...when it happened on Cloudslpitter...

A hefty push on the door and a swift twist on the key at the same time did the trick.
Had to bend the arm slightly.

Bob
🇺🇸

[ricjones]

Originally Posted by Jstockler

We were well past WD-40 and graphite when I wrote, but thanks all the same. We removed 34,000 screws from the bed and were able to unlatch the mechanism and take it off door. . My husband stripped the mechanism down to just the key and the lock itself, and it still would not turn. It was, in his technical assessment, f***up. He was able to put everything back so the latch works without the lock. If you find us, (currently in southern Utah), help yourself to two dog bones and an extension cord. By the way, it turns out a replacement lock with keys is just about the cheapest replacement part you can buy from Airstream—just 29 bucks! Off now to put back 34,000 screws—-and did I mention that several screws do not even align into a hole ???!.

Sorry, no input but this message made me laugh out loud. (your comments, not your situation). Thank you.

We just returned from seeing all the Mighty 5 National Parks in Utah. Amazing places.

[WestieHouse]

Been there with our 23’ FC when my water hose inside got jammed in the mechanism somehow. I definitely was glad I had an electric screwdriver to remove the mattress foundation.

On our 25’ FC I recently replaced all 5 of those Southco oem locks with Air Gear chrome locks and a more unique (one key for all 5 locks but not standard to all Airstreams) keys. A 5 -minute job for each lock.

They look great and work very smoothly. But the tension level (controls tightness of door seal) must be adjusted (easy) to your particular preference.

[WestieHouse]

Re. above here’s the Air Gear link for more info/ordering.
https://www.airgear.store/products/airstream-compartment-lock-upgrade

[gator.bigfoot]

Mine jams all the time. I just use my fist to bump against the door where the lock is and it opens no problem. I have a fairly tight door. Some of the others on the trailer are much looser, but I made the rear one very tight to prevent dust from getting it during the long dusty roads I travel.

It could be that yours is similar. You can adjust the tightness once it's open.

[KK4YZ]

We had that happen on our 23D. Couldn’t get to it from the inside. Called a locksmith who tried all of his standard tricks. Ended up drilling it out (I could have done that).🤬

[ForteePlus]

One of the board members/hosts for Top of Georgia demonstrated how to open those latches without using a key. A little late for you guys, but I should make a nice note & diagram of it for future jammers. I hesitate to post it here for the world to see though. I'm not sure of his unit age, but it has the same latches as our 2023 FC.