Hello All,I'm getting ready to replace the locks on my fifth wheel storage compartments. However the previous owner had over tightened several them, probably in a vain attempt to keep them from turning. This has resulted in the door being compressed there and of course, if you can spin the entire lock, you might as well not have a lock at all.So I was thinking of just trying to find some large washers and putting one on each side of the lock. That should spread the pressure and hopefully keep it from compressing more. However I'm not sure if that would solve the other problem of being able to spin the entire lock. Also the current locks are 7/8 and it would be tight if not impossible to fit two washers on the barrel. I'm thinking maybe I should go up a size.Anyone else have this issue? Is there a better way to handle the locks turning like that? Any other tips or advice when it comes to changing out the locks would be appreciated too ;)Thanks,Tim CzarkowskiTotalTravelers.com

It was a close call on my trailer - locks are crappy, spinning around, and hatches are often misaligned at the "doorstep" rail. I tried to tighten it, to no avail. Flimsy door gives in, and locks remain loose. Very thin fiberglass-ish surfaces with 1/2" or 1/4" Styrofoam in between, it's compressing badly when you try and tighten it. I recall there was not enough length of the lock barrel, to add any washers. Adding a washer probably won't help because the door is too soft, too easy to compress.If it's safety that you're worried about - don't. These locks are ALL THE SAME, in all trailers. Ask anybody on the camp for his storage keys, and it will open your hatches.

Years ago I had a similar problem on a Class C. My fix was to carefully cut out a square of core material with a utility knife, and then epoxy a tight fitting square of plywood into the void. I drilled an undersized hole in the plywood, and then used a small rasp to create the flats and enlarge it for the lock. The locks were still solid a couple of years later when I sold the RV.

You can get replacement locks at most RV parts places, but a good locksmith can get better ones, whatever length you need, and most can be rekeyed for a unique key.

My current locks are not the type that open with the usual "751" key(nor would the new ones). I don't know if the previous owner changed them out what. Also one is stripped(and also freely rotates) and three compartments have no lock at all. I was planning on changing them all so I have one key for the lot still. We're going to be heading to Mexico in a month and I'd like to have them secured. I realize if someone wants to get in, they'll get in but I'd like to at least have working locks. The main issue is how to keep them from freely spinning, keeping them from further compressing the door would be a positive too...The plywood idea sounds interesting but I don't fully understand what you did. Did you cut a square out of the back of the door but then leave it intact on the front? Tim Czarkowski Totaltravelers.com

I recall somebody here reinforced those hatches substantially - with aluminum sheet. Don't remember the details. And am happy that I didn't do it, 'cause when I lost my keys I simply borrowed one from another guy on the camp, to open it, then had locksmith make a new key. I don't think that trailer should be too difficult to get in - when thieves really want to, they will.

Replacing Storage Locks | Good Sam Community

mlts22
Explorer
Dec 13, 2015
I have seem some washers with small spikes on them to help protect against twisting. I think my rig uses those.

As for cam locks, I have been thinking of replacing the cam locks on the storage bays with these. Namely the 8mm triangle drive or the double-bitted one. It looks simple enough that would-be thieves don't think there is some cool stuff the lock is protecting... but it is rare enough that someone having a "key" just to fit it isn't going to happen pretty much.

Of course, if the doors were not made out of the flimsy plastic/foam that is typical, I'd upgrade to Abloy cam locks that are excellent when it comes to dealing with foul weather.
j-d
Explorer II
Dec 10, 2015
The lock is held in place by a nut over a washer on the inside surface of the door. Remove nut and washer, put the plate over, align plate parallel to edge of door. Replace nut and washer and tighten in place. Drill small holes or simply drive thread-forming screws if the material allows. Short enough to not go through the outside surface of the door.

Keeps the curious from using a pocket knife blade to try and rotate the whole lock to see what's inside. Somebody hammers a screwdriver into the key slot and turns it with a wrench, something's gonna give. Them doors ain't wall safes.
Almot
Explorer III
Dec 10, 2015
j-d wrote:
I tried last night to comment that I got plates similar to the one at the bottom of wnjj's post. From a locksmith shop. Same "double D" hole for the lock, but the plate was more rectangular looking with the holes each side of the "D" instead of on one side. Small Hole - Lock Hole - Small Hole.

Ah-Ha! The locks are called "Cam Locks" so gOOgle "cam lock mounting plate" and here it is!

SO, how you use it - put it over the existing lock barrel, and drill screws from the outside, with nuts inside?

Combi-Cam locks - yeah, they maybe safer than these primitive keyed locks, but the very look of this digital panel will make a Mexican stop and say - Wow! Then, if he is a good guy, he'll walk away, thinking about that mysterious gringolandia with all these toys. And, if he is a bad one, he'll think - Aha, they must have something in this trailer, with these fancy locks. Don't forget, the lid itself is the weakest link, you could crush it with your fist.
N-Trouble
Explorer
Dec 10, 2015
Look up Combi-Cam locks and loose the keys. Those things are easily reproducible and not safe by any means.
j-d
Explorer II
Dec 10, 2015
I tried last night to comment that I got plates similar to the one at the bottom of wnjj's post. From a locksmith shop. Same "double D" hole for the lock, but the plate was more rectangular looking with the holes each side of the "D" instead of on one side. Small Hole - Lock Hole - Small Hole.

Ah-Ha! The locks are called "Cam Locks" so gOOgle "cam lock mounting plate" and here it is!
buylow12
Explorer
Dec 10, 2015
Yes, they are flat on two sides. The ones on there now don't have that lock washer but that certainly looks like it would stop the spinning and at least help with the compression. Is that something you would usually buy separate from the locks themselves?

I agree that if someone wants to get in to something, they'll get in but that doesn't seem to be a reason for everyone to have the same key, or no locks at all. I mean all cars and houses are not keyed the same right? By the way I keep a set of keys for the trailer hidden in my truck and a key for my truck in the trailer. Don't ask me why...... (I'll give you a hint, you can lock the trailer door with it open and then close it and it'll be locked).

Tim Czarkowski
Totaltravelers.com
wnjj
Explorer II
Dec 10, 2015
The barrels of the locks should be flat on one or two sides to accommodate a lock washer like the one in the bottom of this picture:

You can then use little screws or adhesive to attach the plate to the inside of the door.
Almot
Explorer III
Dec 10, 2015
I recall somebody here reinforced those hatches substantially - with aluminum sheet. Don't remember the details. And am happy that I didn't do it, 'cause when I lost my keys I simply borrowed one from another guy on the camp, to open it, then had locksmith make a new key. I don't think that trailer should be too difficult to get in - when thieves really want to, they will.
buylow12
Explorer
Dec 09, 2015
My current locks are not the type that open with the usual "751" key(nor would the new ones). I don't know if the previous owner changed them out what. Also one is stripped(and also freely rotates) and three compartments have no lock at all. I was planning on changing them all so I have one key for the lot still. We're going to be heading to Mexico in a month and I'd like to have them secured. I realize if someone wants to get in, they'll get in but I'd like to at least have working locks. The main issue is how to keep them from freely spinning, keeping them from further compressing the door would be a positive too...

The plywood idea sounds interesting but I don't fully understand what you did. Did you cut a square out of the back of the door but then leave it intact on the front?

Tim Czarkowski
Totaltravelers.com
Johno02
Explorer
Dec 09, 2015
You can get replacement locks at most RV parts places, but a good locksmith can get better ones, whatever length you need, and most can be rekeyed for a unique key.