Replacement Locks for Under-Coach Storage Compartments

[pompomgirl]

Later this year, we will full-timing in an urban RV park and by necessity will have our under-coach storage compartment full of needed items, some relatively expensive. I have been looking into more secure locks for those compartment doors and have found that, as I suspected, they are all the same, with only a few different keys.

Is there any way to make those compartments more secure? Some different type of lock? Obviously having the existing ones re-keyed is not the answer.

Thanks.

[mlts22]

I keep wondering about taking apart a "typical" paddle latch by FIC, using calipers and a CAD program (or one of the 3D "scanners"), then taking the files to a metal sintering shop like Solid Concepts and have the latch made in nuclear grade Iconel. Maybe alter the lock cylinder hole to accept a Medeco rekeyable plug. Probably insanely expensive, but if someone comes in, they will be defeating the door, not the handle or lock... and the handle will not snap off or break unless someone took an angle grinder to it.

[KA4EBU]

Sorry for the remark.

[pompomgirl]

Google: Flush Paddle Latches
Available from many mfgrs inc'l Northern Tool.

Referring this one to engineer (& installer) DH, a stiffness expert (of the metals, fiberglass, and other materials nature). It looks good to me, and there are affordable ones. Thanks!

[ol_Bombero-JC]

This will get your pom poms waving like a Dallas Cowboy's cheerleader!.:C

Next time you see a Voltage Toy Hauler - take a look at the storage compt latches.
Don't know if same for all models - but there's one in the storage lot with these as factory OEM.

Google: Flush Paddle Latches
Available from many mfgrs inc'l Northern Tool.

Same style of item used on utility bodies, tool boxes, emergency equipment compt doors, etc. (Inc'l compts with drug boxes inside)
Stainless steel, different methods of opening, and of course lockable.

The (RV) compt door/s can still be defeated with a screwdriver or pry tool,however the surface area is *much* greater than the 751 style latches, resulting in a less flexible door.

Not cheap, but if you (and folks blowing lock change smoke) are really serious about keeping what's inside...inside, that would be the way to go.

Voltage seems to think so...;)

~

[ol_Bombero-JC]

mlts22 wrote:
I forgot to add, one reason I use a locking cam is because thumbturns can work loose on the road

Believer in "Murphy".

Yep - first time for everything!

1970 - ???? and still rolling the dice on those thumb turns..;)

.

[Bumpyroad]

ol Bombero-JC wrote:

Very few strolling ragamuffins are resourceful enough to carry a VERY "obvious" 751key - which *would* be suspicious and lead to other questions.


~

that is exactly what a hoodlum/thug/thief/ragamuffin who was interested in getting into compartments on rVs would be carrying thru the campground. a 751 key.
and to insinuate that a LEO would stop and frisk every body walking thru a campground looking for a key is silly.
bumpy

[mlts22]

I forgot to add, one reason I use a locking cam is because thumbturns can work loose on the road, while a Combi-Cam, or any type of key mechanism is quite unlikely to be opened just due to road vibration.

Were I in pompomgirl's shoes and looking for cam lock upgrades, I'd probably go with a set of Abloy cam locks keyed alike, just because they work well even in extremely poor weather conditions. At the minimum, I'd go with ones that have a dust shutter and a double-sided key.

[ol_Bombero-JC]

Bumpyroad wrote:

I assume that somebody with that attitude doesn't lock their S&Bs front door when they go on the road?

I think that a ragamuffin strolling thru the campground looking for an easy mark would first spot compartments locked with the old 751 special and ignore a harder target.

Or better yet compartments with no lock at all.

bumpy

You can't get in the locked front door of my S&B with a screwdriver..:S

Entry doors of S&Bs -and RVs- don't flex like compt doors..:S

The *interior* of an RV or S&B may have *residents* inside.
Locked or not - welcoming committee may be Mr. Smith & Mr. Wesson..:W
Inhabitants of storage compts are rather rare.

Every "ragamuffin" has access to a screwdriver.
Although a screwdriver in his pocket might be suspicious to LEOs, it's not probable cause.

Very few strolling ragamuffins are resourceful enough to carry a VERY "obvious" 751key - which *would* be suspicious and lead to other questions.
Ahhhh - where's your RV?
(An owner of almost anything with wheels - from decrepit cars to bicycles can explain away a screwdriver. Ditto for home/apt use.
Ohhhh - forgot I had it in my pocket.)

*If* you are really serious about valuable "stuff" stored in compartments, a metal box (or even plywood) "file drawer style" - that slides out - bolted to the floor and padlocked with an Abus, will defeat any casual thief.
Secure as well as handy.

BTW spent 30 years with lots of LEOs - and several very popular surfing beach campgrounds (So. CA), accessible to *LOTS* of marginal "ragamuffins" of every ilk and type.
Like campers, when the sun is shining - which is most of the year - they're out and about too.
No bumpy roads to get there, either!
Population of LA Co = 10 mil, ORCO = 3 mil.
With the exception of toddlers, bet they all have screwdrivers, ROTFL.

Only know of one RV storage compartment break-in. Screwdriver entry.
Plenty of LEOs are campers too - security conscious, and pay attention to what works and what doesn't.

If upgraded compt locks increase your peace of mind, go for it -
you and the locksmith or RV supply retailer will both be happy..:C



~

[2012Coleman]

fj12ryder wrote:
Duh, I wasn't referring to the lock or didn't you read that far? Here, let me quote what I wrote: "... a lock is only as good as the surrounding material." You can put that lock on there and I can get your compartment open with a screwdriver quicker than you can with the combination.

A $100 lock on a $2 door doesn't mean much.

Oops, I forgot. 🙂

Yea and 15 minutes can save you 15% at Geico - everyone knows that - Duh...

It's even easier for the culprit to use their own key which most likely fits. Any deterent however small it seems, it still a detererent.

[RockyMt]

New locks work for me-don't know why you wouldn't lock up your RV.

[pompomgirl]

KA4EBU -- of course I appreciate the USEFUL help and advice that people have offered, including that from you, Francesca Knowles, bumpy, D.E.Bishop, Shadow Catcher, and mits22. Thank you all very much. And thanks to billkaufman for his X2 comment.

However, I repeatedly explained what I wanted to do and why. Having people tell me repeatedly that my concern and desire to improve security "makes no sense" is not helpful. I know all about opening things with a big screwdriver. I lived on a boat for several years in a "secured" marina, and periodically someone would come through picking up everything that wasn't tied down. It's not that I "don't trust my fellow campers" and should "stay home." How insulting can you get? I won't be camping, I will be living there alone with three dogs while in transition to a new home out of state - a process way too complicated to bore everyone with. I never mentioned keeping "treasures" in the storage compartments, just things that I don't want to have to go to the store and replace - I have better things to do during this period of being uprooted.

I usually just sort through all this kind of bulls*** to find the good information, but this time I just got fed up.

[KA4EBU]

PomPom. I actually did not understand your last post. I hope you are not appreciating the help and advice people were offering. Hope it all works out for your locks, though.

[Bumpyroad]

fj12ryder wrote:
And that "ragamuffin" just happens to be carrying a 751 key, because he knows that all compartments are locked with them? :)f)

any good thief would know that.
bumpy

[fj12ryder]

And that "ragamuffin" just happens to be carrying a 751 key, because he knows that all compartments are locked with them? 🙂

The S&B's front door is very much like the 751 compartment locks: it keeps the honest person honest. Why mess with a front door when you can tap on the glass and have a window open in a flash? But a locked front door will keep out the casual passer-by who just tries the front door on impulse, and will walk in if it's unlocked. He's not going to break-and-enter, but he might just do it if the door is open or unlocked.

"And that's all I'm gonna say about that." 🙂