replacing keys

AJR wrote:
Good local locksmith picked a water fill door lock in less than two minutes. Had keys made in three more minutes. Charged me $20

If it was the standard 751 key that most water fill doors are, you can get a couple of replacements at any RV or trailer shop for $5.

It's amazing how fast any sense of security we have disappears when you go to a locksmith for replacement keys. He picked the lock to our Ruckus in about 10 seconds, and had all he needed to make the new key in about 5 minutes. While I was waiting for him to get to the Ruckus, several folks came in asking for common keys for file cabinets and such, by number. He had them on his peg board, already cut. Yes, that same number that is on the face of the lock. Yep. So much for security.

Jebby14 wrote:
anyone know the process for making a key for a lock without one to copy?

If you have free access to the lock cylinder, a traditional method is to disassemble it (typically from the back). Some locks have a slider over the pins and springs that can be removed, and the lock cylinder disengaged and taken out. Otherwise, the cylinder generally can be removed by bumping or picking the pins to open it somewhat, and then pushing it out with a similarly-sized dowel (which keeps the tops of the pins and springs from spraying out all over the place once the cylinder is removed).

Anyhow, once the cylinder and lower parts of the pins are out and free, it's a process of inserting a key blank, marking where the pins land, and filing down the valleys until the pins will all sit flush with the cylinder when in their respective holes. It is, of course, quite important to avoid leaving any vertical cliffs in the key teeth so that the key can be inserted and removed from the lock.

I successfully did this for my garage door lock, which did not have a key supplied by the previous homeowner when I bought the house. The result wasn't quite as smooth and reliably working as a factory key, but perfectly adequate and I thought pretty decent for a first attempt by a decided amateur.

In storage my keys got misplaced one time. I went to the Fleetwood dealer and got a new key from their drawer. They were all the same for the compartments.

Thanks guys. feeling a bit better about this. still super annoyed though

Back in my 9-1-1 days a gentelman called seems he had borrowed his daughter's company car and locked the keys inside (He had her permission to use) and did not want to damage it forcing his way in (Done that a few times I have)

I sent him a novice locksmith

Took one try to unlcok it Less than 15 seconds

Takes a bit longer to make a new key but any good smith can do it.

On motor homes:
Ignition key is a chassis builder part.. IF the chassis builder is still about.. Contact them with the VIN and they may be able to give you (or your smith) the codes to cut a new one....

Had a man lock his keys in his pickup.. one of the few I can not open.. Took him to the dealer They borrowed his license and registration (Has VIN on it) and relieved him of$18.00.. New key worked perfectly.

Door, Compartment and such are body builder parts.. ODDS are any RV dealer will have a big ring of keys one of which fits (Or several depending on how your RVwas keyed) and some of them can cut you new keys when they find the one that fits.

Jebby14 wrote:
anyone know the process for making a key for a lock without one to copy?

I've used this method a few times with good results. It was shown to me by a lock smith several years ago.

anyone know the process for making a key for a lock without one to copy?

its a possibility but im not holding my breath. they claim there were not in the trailer. Note they also did the brake controller on the tow vehicle which is where the trailer keys were. They found the brake controller that was next to the trailer keys but claim no keys...... this is going to be a pain I can see it coming. lucky for me a good locksmith is 2 blocks over from the mechanic.

Your keys are inside of your camper.

Bruce