front door lock broke,,NOW WHAT???{{{{UPDATE}}}}}}

[joelyn]

went to lock the trailer front door tonight and it locked ok but than I could not get the key out. Finally was able to wiggle it out but now I cannot get the key back in to unlock the lock. So locked out.
Any idea as to what happened and what I can do to fix it? Window are all closed also.
thanks

[SoundGuy]

joelyn wrote:
Any idea as to what happened and what I can do to fix it?

This has nothing to do with lock lubrication nor is it necessary to employ the costly services of a locksmith or to take extreme measures such as drilling out the lock assembly yourself. All you need is an alternate point of entry into the trailer ... unfortunately you've neglected to provide pertinent information as to your make, model, year of camper or the type of lock it may have, as should be indicated on the key itself but this sure sounds like a classic Fastec lock failure as fully described in this FIC Lock Recall.

Assuming you have a conventional travel trailer with a front queen bed it will also have a front pass through storage compartment - i.e. your alternate point of entry. You'll have to remove some paneling, perhaps cut a bed support or two, but doing so will get you inside the bed platform where you can then either lift the hinged platform to gain entry to the trailer itself or if necessary cut out some bed platform paneling, all of which can be easily repaired later. If you're too big to fit it's time to conscript a neighbourhood kid for the task. 😄 Once inside, remove the four screws securing the lock to the door, remove it, and replace it with a new one. If it is indeed an FIC lock Fastec will replace it at no charge but I suspect you won't want to wait the weeks or months this may take so it would be quicker to just pay for the replacement lock yourself.

[mobeewan]

You might try a good quality oil and squirt a little into the lock cylinder then put some on the key and work the key in and out of the lock until it goes in and out freely. Then work the key side to side without forcing it. I have done this with several locks and it has worked well. I have also done this with frozen vehicle door locks after ice storms when water has gotten into the cylinders.

I use Break Free CLP gun lubricant. The 2 or 4 oz size has a small plastic applicator tube that inserts into the bottle tip.

Can you get in the trailer through a baggage door? Do you have a kid or maybe a neighbors kid who could get in that way and unlock the door from the inside?

There are 3 screws that can be removed from the lock assy on the inside of the trailer. After that everything should come apart enough to gain entry.

I was having trouble with my locks and replaced the entire lock and latch assy. The dead bolt was frozen (luckily in the unlocked position) and I was having trouble getting the key in and out of the other cylinder although it was still working.

After replacing the lock assy I used the Break Free like mentioned above but also had to apply some to the back and sides of the cylinder for the dead bolt and everything finally freed up. The trailer is 8 years old and the lock assy is the original. I'll probably save it as a spare.

There is a recall on the FIC locks involving the lock cylinders.

[Bobbo]

BB_TX wrote:
Try WD40. Poke the red tube into the key hole and give it a spray.

Never, ever, use WD40 for this! WD40, over time, will evaporate off leaving a very gummy residue. This guarantees that you will have to repeat this repair every few months forever.

[Johno02]

Is one of you windows an emergency exit?? If so, maybe you can get a hand or tool inside to release it. If not, it might be cheaper to break a window to get inside rather than the amount of damage to the door. Another possibility is drilling holes, then using a hacksaw blade in a sabersaw. If you are reasonable sure where it is, maybe a smaller hole through the outside to allow a screwdrive to push the latch back. Wish you luck!

[j-d]

Rock, I haven't dug into this, but it seems that MoHo's use different door locks than Trailers. Trailer's not meant to travel occupied and MoHo is, so a more robust lock is required. That might mean the TT owners didn't get the Terrible TriMark. The one my brother changed looked like this
This one is for MoHo, notice the extra retaining parts

And the price is more than double. Just clicked into it. Lordy it's a TriMark, T507. I forget if it's the bad boy or another model. Bet YOU know...
Our Jayco has an RV lock and a residential deadbolt. I lock only the deadbolt, and even then I don't lock the coach without a deadbolt key AND a Ford key to get into the cockpit of the Class C.

[joelyn]

Thanks for the suggestions and here are some responses, did the spray thing but no help, key will still not go in, only about 1/2 way but doesn't turn and than hard to get out.
it is a TT with just one door, I just call it a front door and my windows are open but they are the jalousie type windows so no way to climb through them.

Not sure of the brand name of the lock, I don't see any name on the outside of it. its the type with the dead bolt key and than a second lock on top. pretty basic like i see on most rvs. I looked it up and it must be a TRIMARK because it looks like this one.

LOCK

If no other suggestions I guess i will try to drill it out tomorrow and see what happens. any suggestions as far as drilling it out???

thanks again for the help and suggestions

[rockhillmanor]

Join the group! You are not the lone ranger.
Is your door lock is a Trimark?
If it is it's the cheap pot metal piece inside that has broken and you won't be able to get in. Real common problem.
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=trimark+rv+door+locks+break+pot+metal

In my experience when I got locked out, I called several locksmiths and the minute I said it was an RV they said they couldn't get in or fix it for me.

I found out real quick why when I watched how it had to come out.
Called RV mobile and they had to pry the door frame away to get the lock out and replace it with a new one. That little incident cost me $400.00 for labor and new lock..........6 months later the NEW ONE BROKE too only I was inside when it did.

Not easy to remove from the inside either but I managed without ripping the whole door off! I took that **** broken pot metal part off the lock, taped the opening and been running with just the dead bolt since then.

Trimark has finally acknowledged the problem albeit they will not give one cent back to you for the broken one. They only offer a replacement part for that piece of garbage pot metal part.

None of this helps you get into your RV but at least you know why and what you will have to do to repair it or replace it. :W

Are you sure all your windows are locked? If not they will slide open with a push with your hands.

[Johno02]

After being locked inside a motor home twice by a broken lock, and locked out once(won't talk much about that one), we always leave at least one window closed but unlocked.

[bighatnohorse]

Hopefully you haven't sprayed anything into the lock.
Graphite is the appropriate lube for sticking locks.
Most auto shops or Ace Hardware will have it. You want a small tube with a small tip. Hold the tip against the lock opening, pry the little cover to the side if needed, and give the tube a squeeze or two.
Put a little graphite on the key and attempt to insert it. Try again if it doesn't work the first time.

[j-d]

You said "front door" making me think it's a Travel Trailer with two doors, front and rear. Then "locked out" so only one door? If you CAN get in, you can dismantle the stuck lock from the inside, maybe with TORX screws. Maybe taking the inside handle off the screen door to help with access. Travel Trailer locks are cheap. Cheap to buy (around $30) but unfortunately cheaply made. My brother just had to replace one on his TT. Luckily one with two doors so he could get at the inner side of the lock and take it apart.

If you haven't left a window unlocked, this could get tough. A locksmith would probably drill it. I wonder if you took WD-40 with the "straw" on the can and flooded the thing, would it loosen up and give you One More Cycle...?

Hopefully one of our RV techs'll see this and offer a suggestion. Or an OP who's had the same issue. Speaking just for me, cheaper to hire a locksmith than repair an RV that got buggered up with amateur entry attempts.

And I'll offer this. When you DO get it open, don't give it a second chance. Replace it. You don't want to go through this again.

[gbopp]

You may need to drill the lock or call a locksmith.

First, I would try spraying penetrating oil in the lock and try to get the key inserted.

But it sounds like something broke.

Hopefully someone will have a better answer.

[BB_TX]

Try WD40. Poke the red tube into the key hole and give it a spray.