Help! Door lock broken; locked out

Topic: Help! Door lock broken; locked out (Read 1135 times) previous topic - next topic

Help! Door lock broken; locked out

January 26, 2017, 09:06:17 pm

The handle on my main door look seems broken. It feels like the handle is not engaging anything. I am locked out. The coach is full of food from a Costco run that needs refrigeration.

Any ideas on how I get inside my coach?

Re: Help! Door lock broken; locked out

Reply #1 – January 26, 2017, 09:11:01 pm

Can you try to push the bed up from the engine compartment?

Re: Help! Door lock broken; locked out

Reply #2 – January 26, 2017, 09:14:48 pm

Maybe I can. That sure is an unattractive option!

Re: Help! Door lock broken; locked out

Reply #3 – January 26, 2017, 09:16:33 pm

Also try all the windows, if you haven't. Maybe one was left unlatched?

Re: Help! Door lock broken; locked out

Reply #4 – January 26, 2017, 09:17:26 pm

Check to see if you can slide open any windows.

Re: Help! Door lock broken; locked out

Reply #5 – January 26, 2017, 09:22:09 pm

For security reason we sent you a P/M

Pamela

Re: Help! Door lock broken; locked out

Reply #6 – January 26, 2017, 09:31:44 pm

Quote from: tothetrail – January 26, 2017, 09:16:33 pm

Also try all the windows, if you haven't. Maybe one was left unlatched?

I tried that first. It's locked tight.

Re: Help! Door lock broken; locked out

Reply #7 – January 26, 2017, 09:51:40 pm

Have you tried to push (really hard) against the whole door, while trying to unlock it at the same time, sometimes that lock is slipped ever-so-slightly out of place (even a tiny fraction of an inch can do it) and holding the door firmly closed as hard as you can may help to re-engage it...did this when stranded once & it worked. It may take two people but worth a shot.

Re: Help! Door lock broken; locked out

Reply #8 – January 26, 2017, 09:52:31 pm

Sometimes you can use a credit card to unlock the windows from the outside.

Roland

Re: Help! Door lock broken; locked out

Reply #9 – January 26, 2017, 10:03:22 pm

I agree with option one. I was showed this method on my introduction review for my 2002 U295 for that very reason

Re: Help! Door lock broken; locked out

Reply #10 – January 26, 2017, 10:29:19 pm

I managed to get inside the coat via the driver side window and a metal tool to push open the lock. That was almost too easy!

In the morning I will take the door apart to see if I can figure it out.

I am tremendously grateful for each of your suggestions to help me think through this. I had a lot of food out on the counter! We leave for a short trip tomorrow.

Re: Help! Door lock broken; locked out

Reply #11 – January 27, 2017, 07:58:46 am

We came home from a "vacation" to our coach where it had been waiting for us in a campground. The door lock was just not letting us in! (It was that pesky slide bolt that just niggled it's way over far enough to engage and wasn't moving.) Our entrance method involved dragging a picnic table over to a bedroom window, using a credit card to wiggle the window latch open, and then Jeff getting on his hands and knees so I could climb on his back and flop into the coach. The other neighbors in the campground were selling tickets to the performance and my dignity took another hit ... but we gained entry.

Another time, in our '95 coach, I was INSIDE the coach and could not get out!! We were in the parking lot at Camp Foretravel and it was just 4:30 ... everyone had left for the day except 1 or 2 management guys. Jeff was just leaving the parts desk when I called him inside to tell him I was trapped. He and Jeremy Rocha came out with a few tools, but I had begun taking the door latch apart with a screwdriver from the inside and saw the issue. Again, the slide bolt mechanism inside the door latch had just sniggled over far enough to catch the edge of the mechanism and even though it LOOKED like it was unlocked, and I couldn't move the slide until I tool the cover plate off, it was just a teeny bit engaged. I tightened up every thing I could see inside the latch and we taped that slide securely in place. No more issues.

Honestly ... being trapped INSIDE was better than outside.

Re: Help! Door lock broken; locked out

Reply #12 – January 27, 2017, 08:24:22 am

What has happened is that the rods that engage the open mechanism from the outside has broken. The handle will not work to engage the locking mechanism. I am ordering a replacement lock mechanism from FT which I'm told is $130. The complicated part for my mechanic is getting the tumblers to match my key.

Re: Help! Door lock broken; locked out

Reply #13 – January 27, 2017, 09:06:09 am

TriMark RV Door Lock 13438-04, Black

Amazon.com: TriMark RV Door Lock 13438-04, Black with Keys: Automotive

There are a lot of other places that sell them, maybe even cheaper, but these are free freight.

Also, you can easily change out the key cylinder using your old one.

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: Help! Door lock broken; locked out

Reply #14 – January 27, 2017, 09:24:50 am

The lock cylinder should be removable from the old handle, note the orientation of the lock arm and remove the E clip, the cylinder should come out.

Re: Help! Door lock broken; locked out

Reply #15 – January 27, 2017, 09:43:42 am

I would leave the window over the couch unlocked. With a plastic paint scraper you can unlock any window in seconds.

Re: Help! Door lock broken; locked out

Reply #16 – January 27, 2017, 10:09:03 am

That happened to us a couple of years ago. After we got in through a window, I took the lock out and found a lock smith and got a replacement part and installed. If I recall about $10.00.

Re: Help! Door lock broken; locked out

Reply #17 – January 27, 2017, 10:15:42 am

Quote from: Carol Savournin – January 27, 2017, 07:58:46 am

Honestly ... being trapped INSIDE was better than outside.

Of course...trapped INSIDE, you have booze, and a bathroom!

Re: Help! Door lock broken; locked out

Reply #18 – January 27, 2017, 01:18:41 pm

These locked out (or in) have been posted many times since I have been a Foretravel owner.
My solution was to remove the door latching mechanism (not the dead bolt) from the door and in turn remove all the locking levers and parts, such that I rely upon the dead bolt for locking the door. I also plastic welded a cover over the locking mechanism hole in the trim cover on the inside of the door.

Re: Help! Door lock broken; locked out

Reply #19 – January 27, 2017, 11:34:17 pm

When I had the coached serviced last fall the mechanic put it in the lot and locked both locks. I could not find the key to unlock the little lower lock so had to pick it. I had purchased the master key some time ago but had misplaced it. I will not post details on how to obtain the master key on here for obvious reasons but if you need info pm me. Inside slide now has a piece of tape holding it open.

Keith

Re: Help! Door lock broken; locked out

Reply #20 – January 28, 2017, 12:23:12 am

Our PO had many sets of keys. One deadbolt key locked her up tighter than a drum. Never to release/unlock from that side of the door. Other keys (locked inside) could have helped. New owners of old coaches might enjoy knowing a ladder, unlocked window and a few dry-run emergency lockout drills can save some counseling time. Priceless.

Re: Help! Door lock broken; locked out

Reply #21 – January 28, 2017, 09:58:53 am

If you are just locked out, there are many places where spare keys could be hidden. Remembering that you have them and where it they hidden is good, too. BTDT

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