Trailer Door Locks
I have read a lot about how many keys will fit the standard trailer door lock. 2 questions: (1) Can the door locks be re-keyed like they do with padlocks? (2) If I buy a new lock will there be few...
Forum Discussion
Trimark, FIC, and Global use a generic key for their paddle handles and a specific cut key for the deadbolt. The deadbolt keys aren't all that unique since typically there aren't a ton of variations produced. These are mass produced locks after all. Chances are that you'll run into someone one day that has a key that will turn your deadbolt.
It doesn't matter how unique the key or how fancy the lock is anyway, most lock can easily be defeated with a screwdriver. As with their residential cousins, the door frame is the weakest part of the system. The doors in trailers come mounted on some pretty thin and weak frames. Some you can flex with your hand alone. If someone wanted to get in then they could easily use a screwdriver or small pry bar to separate the door from the frame to open it. Even with the deadbolt engaged it's relatively easy to do and can be done in silence.
There's a few locks that can help lessen the likelihood of this happening. A lock like the Trimark 060-1650 has a couple of pins that slide into a heavier duty striker plate. The pins help keep the door and the frame locked together and it's a lot more difficult to separate the two. The other is an automotive style door lock that uses a strike bolt and claw mechanism similar to what's found on vehicle doors. Both of these types of door locks are more common to motorhomes, but they can be adapted to a trailer.
Most of your thieves out there are pretty lazy. Just locking up the trailer would be good enough to get a pass. But if they really want in, they're not going to fool with keys or jimmying locks. They'll just take the easy way out and just bypass the lock entirely by prying the trailer open. Even if you did shore up your door, you'd then have to worry about all those windows and skylights. If they want in, they'll get in.
It doesn't matter how unique the key or how fancy the lock is anyway, most lock can easily be defeated with a screwdriver. As with their residential cousins, the door frame is the weakest part of the system. The doors in trailers come mounted on some pretty thin and weak frames. Some you can flex with your hand alone. If someone wanted to get in then they could easily use a screwdriver or small pry bar to separate the door from the frame to open it. Even with the deadbolt engaged it's relatively easy to do and can be done in silence.
There's a few locks that can help lessen the likelihood of this happening. A lock like the Trimark 060-1650 has a couple of pins that slide into a heavier duty striker plate. The pins help keep the door and the frame locked together and it's a lot more difficult to separate the two. The other is an automotive style door lock that uses a strike bolt and claw mechanism similar to what's found on vehicle doors. Both of these types of door locks are more common to motorhomes, but they can be adapted to a trailer.
Most of your thieves out there are pretty lazy. Just locking up the trailer would be good enough to get a pass. But if they really want in, they're not going to fool with keys or jimmying locks. They'll just take the easy way out and just bypass the lock entirely by prying the trailer open. Even if you did shore up your door, you'd then have to worry about all those windows and skylights. If they want in, they'll get in.
