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Topic: Repacing/upgrading exterior bin locks... (Read 856 times) previous topic - next topic
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Repacing/upgrading exterior bin locks...
For those disturbed that virtually every RV owner out there can open your LD's external bins, here is a link for ordering exact-replacement, ALMOST unique, tubular locks:

Tubular Cam Lock

Download the pdf link 'Measuring Guide' - removing the old locks makes correctly sizing much easier. Needed 3 sizes for an '04 FL.

Due to the cam assembly with a locknut instead of a phillips screw, in a few cases some mod may be necessary, e.g. the battery compartment.
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Repacing/upgrading exterior bin locks...
Reply #1 –
A lot of new owners are amazed when they find out that just about everyone has a key to their RV's exterior bins and water filler door.
I know I was. Very soon, tubular locks were ordered.
Anyone with a big screwdriver can open the bins but stealing looks less suspicious when you use a key.
A thief, looking for a job, will hopefully past our rig and find one that still has CH751 locks.

CH751.com is a good place to order tubular locks as each lock is assemble to your specifications.
Steve ordered and received the locks in just a few days.  We had seem them displayed at the Q RV show, in January and were impressed with the customizability, at a fair price.
Being able to custom order each lock is a huge benefit as LD seems to use a slightly different lock configuration on each exterior bin door.
 When bought in RV stores, tubular locks usually come in packs of 4 keyed-alike locks, all the same size. You end up with three locks that don't fit quite right, plus all LDs have more than four exterior locks. It is just about impossible to find two packs of locks, with the same keys.
Download the order sheet, with all the sizes shown, and  use it measure your LD's locks, before ordering.
http://ch751.com/pdfs/measuring_guide.pdf
These would have been a nice Factory option.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Repacing/upgrading exterior bin locks...
Reply #2 –
Hi Larry; With my previous motorhome, I bought it used at a parking lot sale, they had taken it in as a trade in. I didn't have all the keys yet, but I took it to work to show a friend who had a Honey motorhome. He proceeded to unlock all of my compartments for me, and gave me his key until I could get my set from the dealer. When I picked up my new TK, I was hoping for non CH-751 locks. I went to my local Camping World and they had many packages of locks. A little concerned about how unique my round keys were, I found four packages of 4 with the same keys. With 16 locks I had spares. I was lucky; every now and then I check to see if there are any with my key code, or any repeats and I've never found either. I cut, filed, and bent the tangs until they worked the way I wanted. One thing that is annoying is that I can't remove the key when it is unlocked. It keeps me from misplacing the key, but still a hassle if I want to unlock two doors at once. Are all of the round key locks like that? I put a piece of aluminum 1/8" flat bar, 3"x 1 1/2"  behind most of the doors to keep the door from collapsing when I tightened the nuts.  After 16 years the, (I guess it's) chrome on the outside, is starting to corrode a bit. Do you know if these locks are available in stainless? No locks on the propane access door or my sewer hose doors. The locks are just to keep honest people out of course. A good screwdriver is the universal key, but it looks good. At the cost of some weight I always wanted to replace the innards of the foam doors with plywood. (Too much work!)  RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Repacing/upgrading exterior bin locks...
Reply #3 –
If you order from the above link, all your locks will be keyed the same, unless you specify otherwise. The keys are not captive in use. Download and use their sizing guide after removing your old locks, and the new ones will be a precise fit. I've had no issue with rust or corrosion (with either these or the original), but they are chromed - not stainless.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Repacing/upgrading exterior bin locks...
Reply #4 –
Has anyone experienced a compartment door not remaining closed by the single lock? I arrange the contents to avoid applying outward pressure on the compartment door. I was wondering if I should install a second catch on some of the compartment doors - it would not need to lock, but simply supply additional confidence that the door would not flex open on the highway.
2013 27’ Mid-Bath
2005 Honda CR-V
Re: Repacing/upgrading exterior bin locks...
Reply #5 –
Quote from: Keith Sweitzer  - 
Has anyone experienced a compartment door not remaining closed by the single lock? I arrange the contents to avoid applying outward pressure on the compartment door. I was wondering if I should install a second catch on some of the compartment doors - it would not need to lock, but simply supply additional confidence that the door would not flex open on the highway.
Once something loosened up on the rear compartment lock and I noticed it flapping in the wind. A nut worked loose but was replaceable. Nothing fell out. I try to position heavier stuff toward the bin door to preclude its falling out in this situation. I sealed the bin door with duct tape until I got home.
Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Repacing/upgrading exterior bin locks...
Reply #6 –
My rear compartment lock is loose. What is wrong is the thread for the cam lock screw tore up from something hitting it from inside. The Good and bad news is it is covered by the fake tire cover. So it bounces while I drive and can let in dirt water and creatures and you wouldn't even now it unless you visit back there often. We tend not to.

Bad news is the goop they put on the upper rear compartments to seal them is the same stuff they weather
Proofed the locks with. On my thousand dollar a gallon gold paint. The go oozed and they painted right over.  NICE!  Getting them off is not at all going to be easy or pretty. I also seem to find these "insulated " compartment doors don't measure to the standards shown on chart. I'll have to play with offset cams to make those work I guess.
Argh.
Lydia.
Current: 2020 JLUR w 15’ Squaredrop
Former: 2006 30IB Anniversary Edition
 
Re: Repacing/upgrading exterior bin locks...
Reply #7 –
Quote from: Lydia Drake  - 
Bad news is the goop they put on the upper rear compartments to seal them is the same stuff they weather
Proofed the locks with. On my thousand dollar a gallon gold paint. The go oozed and they painted right over.  NICE!  Getting them off is not at all going to be easy or pretty. I also seem to find these "insulated " compartment doors don't measure to the standards shown on chart. I'll have to play with offset cams to make those work I guess.
Argh.

So Lydia, it seems you did not remove the old locks first to measure? I found it difficult to measure properly with the locks in place - my results were different to those I got when the tumblers were actually in hand. If you need help, drop me a line...

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Repacing/upgrading exterior bin locks...
Reply #8 –
Quote from: Lydia Drake  - 
My rear compartment lock is loose. What is wrong is the thread for the cam lock screw tore up from something hitting it from inside. The Good and bad news is it is covered by the fake tire cover. So it bounces while I drive and can let in dirt water and creatures and you wouldn't even now it unless you visit back there often. We tend not to.

Bad news is the goop they put on the upper rear compartments to seal them is the same stuff they weather
Proofed the locks with. On my thousand dollar a gallon gold paint. The go oozed and they painted right over.  NICE!  Getting them off is not at all going to be easy or pretty. I also seem to find these "insulated " compartment doors don't measure to the standards shown on chart. I'll have to play with offset cams to make those work I guess.
Argh.
Interesting. I just ordered all new locks and removed the old ones to ensure accurate measurements. I was surprised how easily they came off. Haven't installed the new ones yet. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Repacing/upgrading exterior bin locks...
Reply #9 –
I've been camping in RV's since the mid-70's. Not even once have I heard of anyone having anything stolen from a bin by a thief using a key.
I don't store any high value items in the bins, just in case.
I'll put my RV money into items that are a higher priority to me.

To each his own.

Ed
Re: Repacing/upgrading exterior bin locks...
Reply #10 –
Quote from: Ed D.  - 
I don't store any high value items in the bins, just in case.
I'll put my RV money into items that are a higher priority to me.

Ed

Trouble is, when comfortably camped an eternity from civilization, everything we carry with us is high value - i.e. we would suffer from it's loss; yet very little of it would be expensive to replace - back IN civilization. We have limited storage, so garage sale candidates stay out of the rig.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Repacing/upgrading exterior bin locks...
Reply #11 –
Never heard of someone getting ch751'ed either but that hasn't stopped me from thinking about it.

Also, nothing in those bins by itself is priceless but just think of the time and effort to restock those bins and when added up I imagine that a grill, rug, chairs, leveling blocks, power cords, extension cords, hoses, water doodads, tool kit, inflatable kayak, all sorts of sprays and such (303 et al) and on and on would be well into the four digits.

I got my gas cap busted and tank siphoned when gas wasn't much more than $3 a gallon. I got burglarized to steal the stupid 15" Sharp TV that was a dinosaur needing a converter box. Oh, and they grabbed a $5 flashlight on my cup holder probably on the way out the door.

To each their own and most won't experience bad guys in/around their rig but I feel a whole lot better now that I have the tubular locks.
Ruby, the red 2004 26' RK hauling Dave and Kristine hither and yon
Re: Repacing/upgrading exterior bin locks...
Reply #12 –
But as always to someone who wants to steal, none of the flimsy locks will be much of a deterrent.
And you may be surprised how many garage doors and pick up caps the same key will open.
Re: Repacing/upgrading exterior bin locks...
Reply #13 –
Actually, the tubular locks are virtually unpickable. A crowbar would still make for easy access. So, replacing the locks simply eliminates the small subset of potential thieves who are opportunists with a key. In a campground or camped in the boonies, the odds are much greater, however...

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Repacing/upgrading exterior bin locks...
Reply #14 –
The stuff in the bins is less hassle to replace than the repairs to the bodywork if a CH751 key doesn't work in the upgraded locks and the thief resorts to a "master key" (crowbar) to get the goodies.

YMMV.

fu
fu
2015TK
Re: Repacing/upgrading exterior bin locks...
Reply #15 –
Or, they will see that their key won't work on your rig, look down the line at all the other rigs in the storage facility (where my two burglaries have occurred) and move on to easier prey.

I am far less concerned with burglaries in campgrounds and much more concerned with burglaries in storage facilities.

--Dave
Ruby, the red 2004 26' RK hauling Dave and Kristine hither and yon
Re: Repacing/upgrading exterior bin locks...
Reply #16 –
Quote from: Steve  - 
So Lydia, it seems you did not remove the old locks first to measure? I found it difficult to measure properly with the locks in place - my results were different to those I got when the tumblers were actually in hand. If you need help, drop me a line...

Steve

Steve.

On my coach I have three thicknesses of bin doors. The upper ones are thicker then the lower and water is thinnest. The thick ones were very tough to release. I finally got the damaged one out from the rear figuring I had little to lose. When I measured it the housing length fell in between two standard choices available. I ordered an 1/8" offset cam in the 1.5" length and reversed it on the casing. I compared a lower bin lock to all the other lower ones to find them identical.    Every single cam needed a slight bend to make the closed state easy to achieve and keep the door tight.

I had to cut the paint seal around both the finger pull and the bin face to keep cracking down then cut and pry under the finger pull with an occasional pry with the new backing plate as a pry bar to get the glue to separate. I'd say fifty percent of my locks were loose enough but they were the thinner variety.  I would have had more chipping obvious if I didn't have the lock covers on. With all the dust blowing in on them daily I took the plunge and added them throughout.

Id like to thank you for reposting this link. I hope it helps some one else too!
Lydia
Lydia.
Current: 2020 JLUR w 15’ Squaredrop
Former: 2006 30IB Anniversary Edition
Re: Repacing/upgrading exterior bin locks...
Reply #17 –
So for a 30' IB the list is as follows:
I left propane alone.
1 5/8" lock with 5/8" cam (water)
7 7/8" lock with 1.5" cam (lower bins)
4 1.5" lock with 1.5" cam and 1/8" offset. (Upper thick bins including shower)
I inverted the 1/8" offset cam to "shorten" the effective length of the lock set to fit all the upper bin doors.

Perhaps other model owners can post their orders?
Lydia.
Current: 2020 JLUR w 15’ Squaredrop
Former: 2006 30IB Anniversary Edition
Re: Repacing/upgrading exterior bin locks...
Reply #18 –
Quote from: Lydia Drake  - 
So for a 30' IB the list is as follows:
I left propane alone.
1 5/8" lock with 5/8" cam (water)
7 7/8" lock with 1.5" cam (lower bins)
4 1.5" lock with 1.5" cam and 1/8" offset. (Upper thick bins including shower)
I inverted the 1/8" offset cam to "shorten" the effective length of the lock set to fit all the upper bin doors.

Perhaps other model owners can post their orders?

THANKS, Lydia.  I'd like to assume that similar bins, etc, on shorter coaches use the same dimensions, but we all know that the Factory is quirky, to say the least. Any TK owner have similar size info?  -- Jon
(Former) ‘06 TK “Albatross.” And (former) Vespa 250.   Alas, no more; both are gone.😕 Great memories remain! 😄
Re: Repacing/upgrading exterior bin locks...
Reply #19 –
Yes, our 2004 RK had 1 3/8" locks from LD on the two thicker doors. Ch751 didn't have that size so inverted the 1/8 bent cams with 1 1/2" locks and all fit nicely.

I went round and round with them and they patiently sent me replacements for my mismeasured this and that. I then returned all unused parts and they refunded costs promptly. I recommend ch751.com; very easy to work with.

PS - bought "backing plates" to make it harder for the bad guys to break in.
Ruby, the red 2004 26' RK hauling Dave and Kristine hither and yon
Re: Repacing/upgrading exterior bin locks...
Reply #20 –
When Ken Fears was camping in NM State Parks last winter, he came to help me install my TPMS in Las Cruces.  I remember him asking for a tool or something and I said:  "Wait a minute, let me get my keys to open the bin."  He said, "Oh, mine will work."  AND THEY DID!  :o

Quote from: Steve  - 
For those disturbed that virtually every RV owner out there can open your LD's external bins...
Cheryl (a.k.a. Desert Diva)
1998 Lazy Daze (26.5 mid-bath)
2002 Honda CR-V
Re: Repacing/upgrading exterior bin locks...
Reply #21 –
It's worse than you think.  Many people with SOBs and trailers have the same key as well.  It's an RV industry default.