Combination locks vs barrel locks

[iquilt888]

Since everyone and their brother has the same locks on their basement compartments I'm looking to do something different.

I can have all the locks re-keyed by a locksmith. I think. Sure that will cost a few pennies. Or, there are combination and barrel locks on the market, available from at least Amazon, that I could get. With the last two options I would like some suggestions on which has the greatest chance of being a deterrent. As we all know locks only keep the honest guys out.

Thanks for the ideas.

[3sacrwd]

I take any major items of value out,and leave my storage doors unlocked. The cost to repair or replace one door, or my deductable exceeds the price of any lost item. I had a window broken and two fire extinguishers lit off in my rig last year in storage. They ransacked all drawers, but didnt take anything. Didn't even open the storage doors underneath. All damage was inside.

[egh33]

I don't worry about some one getting in the compartments. I have nothing in there that can't be replaced. Besides, that's why I have insurance.
Besides that I trust most every one that has a MH or trailer. Every one I have met in a camp ground were pretty nice folks.

[Norm___Deb]

I never worried much about the locks because as previous posts said, its so easy to just bust the doors open, locks or not. My problem was the latches would not always keep the locker doors closed. Look back and stuff flying out of the lockers. Not fun.

I fixed this by drilling small holes in the bottom of the locker door lids, then also holes to frame support angle bars under the lockers. I then use rubber "trucker" straps and hold the locker doors shut. This works great and those doors will never come open when you don't want them to. This may not be for everyone, but for me, its great.

[wny_pat1]

All this fear hysteria is making me become afraid someone is going to steal something from me. Where I live, most doe not even lock their stick house doors.

[msmith1199]

bluwtr49 wrote:
Way back when I had convertibles I made the mistake of locking the car....bad move. Once the top was repaired I never locked it again but also never left anything in the car I wanted very badly.

Someone breaking into a MH bay while you're traveling??? Personally never heard of that happening. Occasionally someone has problem while in storage but even that is uncommon. That would be next to impossible to prevent anyway as a determined thief can get into anything.

Me, I lock the bays and, if anything happens, will let the insurance company handle it.

Actually, when you have a convertible and the top starts to get worn out, then a thief may do you a favor by breaking in. New convertible top courtesy of your insurance company less your deductible.

[msmith1199]

Most people unlock those barrel locks and then leave them unlocked. Anybody can stroll by while they're unlocked and see your combination and come back later. I don't see any real value in them over the regular key locks.

[bluwtr49]

Way back when I had convertibles I made the mistake of locking the car....bad move. Once the top was repaired I never locked it again but also never left anything in the car I wanted very badly.

Someone breaking into a MH bay while you're traveling??? Personally never heard of that happening. Occasionally someone has problem while in storage but even that is uncommon. That would be next to impossible to prevent anyway as a determined thief can get into anything.

Me, I lock the bays and, if anything happens, will let the insurance company handle it.

[iquilt888]

All these comments/suggestions are outstanding!

At the moment the compartment storage locks are not very close to the top of my must do, want to do, and just live with it list.

When I had my 5er I would just clean out the storage compartments as well as anything of value out of the trailer when I put it into storage. This was a rather challenging chore trying to figure out where to put the stuff but I managed. Suppose I'll just do the same with this motorhome.

[raygreg]

I would rather the thief just open the door with his key instead of breaking the flimsey door with a screwdriver. Cost too much to repair the door.

[sowego]

I'd rekey if I were that worried. However, a lot of latch systems on bay doors are pretty wimpy...a crow bar would make quick work openning up most of them. A heavy duty lock will look tough but...it will only give the burglar a chuckle as they muscle their way into the storage bay.

[iquilt888]

I never thought about road grime getting into the combo locks but it definitely sounds reasonable.

Even though re-keying may perhaps be more that is the route to take?

I think perhaps what I'm hoping for is having just two keys on my keyring, one for the compartments and one for the entry door. Oops forgot I'll need a third.....an ignition key as well.

Thanks for all the insight.

[Dutch_12078]

I was in a large RV dealer's shop a few months ago, and watched a tech drilling out one of those combination locks on a bin. He said the road dirt gets in them and they jam. He was working on the first of three jammed locks on this rig.

[workhardplayha1]

You can buy barrel locks at a lock smith, Home Depot, Lowes and Marine Stores. They also limited key codes but that makes it possible to find multiple locks with the same keys. Take one of your locks in with you so you can match up the dimensions. Don't get too complicated so that it makes it a hassle for you to get into your compartments. After all, these locks only keep an honest thief out.

[RoyB]

There is alot to be said by everyone having the same lock. At least you won't get locked out haha... I assume you are talking about replacing the 751 keyed locks... I keep all of my real valuables in my truck.



You are wanting to replace this 751 keyed lock with one of these???


Even if you replace the latch type lock a good placed large flat screw driver will walk right into the storage compartment... The levers bend rather easy...