Locked out, lessons learned

Topic: Locked out, lessons learned (Read 1279 times) previous topic - next topic

Locked out, lessons learned

January 30, 2015, 02:32:46 pm

We managed to lock ourselves out of the coach last night by inadvertently sliding the door lock to the "lock" position before closing the door and locking the deadbolt with our key. Weren't we surprised when we returned to the coach, unlocked the deadbolt and the door wouldn't open (we've never used the slider door lock in the seven years we've owned the coach); we only carry the key for the deadbolt.
Luckily we were with friends who put us up for the night.
This morning we tried all windows (confirming that we had been thorough in locking up before we went out for dinner) and had a locksmith on the way when Barry & Cindy suggested that the bay/compartment key might be a fit for the door. Success!! Thanks B&C!
I did have a bay door key hidden under the coach just in case I might need it some day...
Thought I'd post just in case anyone else runs into the same issue.
(I've also confirmed that our bed latch is in the open position just case we need to use this as a route in from the engine compartment as a last resort.)

Re: Locked out, lessons learned

Reply #1 – January 30, 2015, 04:14:45 pm

Good to hear everything turned out all right. For sure a mood killer after a nice dinner...

I had not heard about this method of locking yourself out of the coach. Then again, I always use both locks when not at the coach and carry a full set of keys in the toad glove box.

Re: Locked out, lessons learned

Reply #2 – January 30, 2015, 10:03:25 pm

Jeff and I did exactly that on our coach not long after we moved into this '02. Happily, we have the kind of window locks that can be jimmied open with a credit card, and then the glass will slide with some effort. Our entry involved the moving of a VERY heavy picnic table, Jeff on his hands and knees so that I could then stand on his back and perform a totally ungraceful flop into the bedroom. The neighboring campers were mightily amused and brought out their lawn chairs for more comfortable viewing. THEN we discovered that the bay door key also fit the slide lock. Head smack.

Re: Locked out, lessons learned

Reply #3 – January 30, 2015, 10:57:54 pm

Carol. PLEASE, next time something like that happens, get one of those "helpful" neighbors to video tape it! (....still laughing my head off at the thought of that "picture"!)

Re: Locked out, lessons learned

Reply #4 – January 31, 2015, 07:40:39 am

Carol,

Why do I picture the "dump" scene from the Robin Williams movie RV

Larry

Re: Locked out, lessons learned

Reply #5 – January 31, 2015, 08:52:25 am

Quote from: Grant L – January 30, 2015, 02:32:46 pm

... snip... Barry & Cindy suggested that the bay/compartment key might be a fit for the door. Success!! Thanks B&C!
I did have a bay door key hidden under the coach just in case I might need it some day...
Thought I'd post just in case anyone else runs into the same issue.
(

But you had better check it... Mine are different

Re: Locked out, lessons learned

Reply #6 – January 31, 2015, 10:42:09 am

Quote from: ohsonew – January 31, 2015, 07:40:39 am

Carol,

Why do I picture the "dump" scene from the Robin Williams movie RV

Larry

Larry, if we meet up ask Carol about our first nite in our 95.. Could have been part of that movie.. enough said

Re: Locked out, lessons learned

Reply #7 – January 31, 2015, 11:48:24 am

When we purchased our first coach (SOB) PO explained he had locked himself out so he had hid a set of keys. I never figured out how he did that until we purchased FT. On our first trip out on Easter Sunday I figured out how he had did that. I never realized you could slide the lock and close the door and it would lock, a lesson I will not forget. Turns out I now have a spare set hid as well.

Re: Locked out, lessons learned

Reply #8 – January 31, 2015, 11:57:09 am

Quote from: Carol Savournin – January 30, 2015, 10:03:25 pm

The neighboring campers were mightily amused and brought out their lawn chairs for more comfortable viewing.

Carol, that is a terrific story! Did they make popcorn?

Craig

Re: Locked out, lessons learned

Reply #9 – January 31, 2015, 01:02:31 pm

We regularly use both locks if we're going to be gone a little while. No sense making it easy for thieves.

Re: Locked out, lessons learned

Reply #10 – January 31, 2015, 03:53:15 pm

Locks just keep honest people out and prevent convenience theft. Hide a spare set of keys in an unlocked bay. No thief is going to go digging hard for a hidden key.

Re: Locked out, lessons learned

Reply #11 – January 31, 2015, 06:30:39 pm

"No thief is going to go digging hard for a hidden key." No, they won't go digging, but you can bet that they will check the most common hiding places. When we still had our sheep we hid a key out in the sheep shed. That was near enough to the house that it was practical, but not a very obvious place (think about what the ground would be like after a couple of days of rain).

Re: Locked out, lessons learned

Reply #12 – January 31, 2015, 07:21:46 pm

We keep an extra set in an unlocked Bay Area. Don't know why a thief would want in the coach, most of the good stuff is in the bay's anyway. Would hate to catch a thief at mine or someone else's, the wife and I are both concealed carry.

Re: Locked out, lessons learned

Reply #13 – February 01, 2015, 11:04:21 am

Quote from: Forewheelers – January 31, 2015, 07:21:46 pm

Would hate to catch a thief at mine or someone else's, the wife and I are both concealed carry.

Thief would probably "hate", more.

Roland

Re: Locked out, lessons learned

Reply #14 – February 01, 2015, 11:14:07 am

RVers have a reputation for being armed. You don't hear of too many rigs being broken into. That said applying a bit of common sense as to your surroundings helps a lot. We keep a key taped to the propane tank to prevent lockout, have also removed that slide bolt thingy that can lock you out unknowingly while shutting the door.

Roland

Re: Locked out, lessons learned

Reply #15 – February 02, 2015, 03:49:35 pm

I did the same as you once Grant... My post adds no value but I gotta say it.... I went thru a window by the dinnet via a step ladder..My old 280 aired up is tall enough that I don't much fret a thief duplicating what I did..If it wasn't a must that I get in I believe I would have walked away from that window adventure... yep like Roland says... a knuckle bumping that slide bolt thingy can be a drag without the key.... 110 outside and the only cold beer inside lends inspiration.

Re: Locked out, lessons learned

Reply #16 – February 03, 2015, 07:03:19 am

Was unable to open the door, not locked, the latch was not releasing, so because I never lock the drivers side window, I pushed my DW thru the window, that worked great, I then opened up the door lock assembly and cured the issue. Glad the DW is a 98 pounder, good sport that at 73 still can walk around on her hands.

Re: Locked out, lessons learned

Reply #17 – February 03, 2015, 01:55:09 pm

Does anyone besides me have "lock Out" insurance thru auto insurance (SAFCO), AND Good Sam AND Coach-net.

Have only used it once,but was well worth it !

Re: Locked out, lessons learned

Reply #18 – February 04, 2015, 09:30:28 am

While outside filling the fuel tank, my dog stepped on the door lock button. It worked and door was locked. Fortunately my window was not locked. I now carry an extra key with me at all times.

Re: Locked out, lessons learned

Reply #19 – February 04, 2015, 10:50:15 am

Eric, are you new to RV or dog? I bet you have a yorkie-poo? They seem inbred to do this, you need to know that. A friend of mine new to the RV and dog called me couple of years ago....fueling, engine on and the dog locked him out! Did I have any idea how to get in?

P.S. Pretty sure it Dave M told me to leave the driver window unlocked so could get in. I think he meant get someone in, not me or DW as he reported this thread. I would need to kidnap a child for getting in that window or Miz Dani would have another video opp.

Re: Locked out, lessons learned

Reply #20 – February 04, 2015, 11:17:34 am

Some dog owners have put a cover on the door lock switch, lift cover to press button.

Re: Locked out, lessons learned

Reply #21 – February 04, 2015, 03:31:56 pm

If you have remote door locks, the button is easily accessible from the drivers window without climbing in - at least on our 99 U270. Of course this only helps if the slider on the door has not been pushed...

Re: Locked out, lessons learned

Reply #22 – February 04, 2015, 06:02:09 pm

Mike,
The good part was the coach was home in the garage, the DW rarely travels with me. Since at home, got her to climb in and open the door. The issue was the latching assembly had gotten out of wack, was able to disassemble the inner door, found the latch problem, repaired and lubed it. Has had a good feel when opening the door since.

Re: Locked out, lessons learned

Reply #23 – February 04, 2015, 06:12:59 pm

Quote from: Michael & Jackie – February 04, 2015, 10:50:15 am

P.S. Pretty sure it Dave M told me to leave the driver window unlocked so could get in. I think he meant get someone in, not me or DW as he reported this thread. I would need to kidnap a child for getting in that window or Miz Dani would have another video opp.

...and while we're on the subject, always be sure to lock your windows when driving in the car with puppy dawg, my black lab managed to nearly cut her head off one day when she stuck her paw on the window button, up it went and I caught it in time but a close call, very frightening!

....and yes, Mike, I have gotten some great shots of husbands trying to push their wives thru driver's windows, makes for great conversation pieces/bribery down the road!

(so you wanna be a you tube star?!)

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