Security

I

Insist on live music

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 19, 2022
Messages
115
Location
Finger Lakes New York
Seek words of wisdom. I wish to improve the security of exterior storage compartment doors as well as the main entrance door as these OEM door locks are very common. (door G376, compartment CH751). "Lock-it" brand seems reputable.

On hold for now: skeptical of keyless locks failures and horror stories of folks getting locked inside! Yet, I think there's some improvement with this locking system.
 
"Security" and "trailer" really don't go together in the same sentence. :) In our 20-some years, we've never had anything disappear from inside our trailers, and we never locked any of the basement doors. Unless we felt the place was sketchy, which has happened about twice in that time. :) Just having the basement door locked will stop someone from just idly opening the door and seeing if there's anything loose to snag. But if someone wants in, then a medium sized screwdriver will make entry an easy thing. Most of the issues I've read of where there have been thefts usually seem to occur when the trailer is in storage, or sitting somewhere unused. Quite a few seem to occur when the trailer is parked by the owner's home.

OTOH, nothing wrong with getting rid of the CH751 locks just on the off chance that a neighbor in storage wants to take a look in your basement.
 
We like the Tuffy combination locks. We're the kind of people that prefer to make someone conscientiously force their way in to take something, even if it doesn't take that much effort. Then it's not an opportunistic grab because something is just there for the taking. Neither is excusable of course.
 
You can open the doors faster with a big screwdriver than with a key. The door itself is weaker than the cheap locks. The idea you can make them more secure is unreasonable.
 
Hoopy Frood said:
"Security" and "trailer" really don't go together in the same sentence. :) In our 20-some years, we've never had anything disappear from inside our trailers, and we never locked any of the basement doors. Unless we felt the place was sketchy, which has happened about twice in that time. :) Just having the basement door locked will stop someone from just idly opening the door and seeing if there's anything loose to snag. But if someone wants in, then a medium sized screwdriver will make entry an easy thing. Most of the issues I've read of where there have been thefts usually seem to occur when the trailer is in storage, or sitting somewhere unused. Quite a few seem to occur when the trailer is parked by the owner's home.

OTOH, nothing wrong with getting rid of the CH751 locks just on the off chance that a neighbor in storage wants to take a look in your basement.
Click to expand...

I'm in the same camp as Hoopy. Storage is where the trouble lies.
 
Thread moved to General Tech Topics.

There's no way to get locked inside with a keyless main door lock. They are operated manually from inside. We used an RVLock keyless entry unit for nine years full-timing and never had any issues whatsoever. If you ignore the low battery warnings and find you can't get back into the RV from outside, you can use the key to unlock it.

Rob
 
jkwilson said:
You can open the doors faster with a big screwdriver than with a key. The door itself is weaker than the cheap locks. The idea you can make them more secure is unreasonable.
Click to expand...

And unless you are carrying some really expensive stuff it's not worth it. It's going to cost a lot to repair the exterior of that trailer after someone works it over with a screwdriver or a crowbar.
 
I think that sometimes the "security upgrades " are more to give us that warm fuzzy feeling that alls well rather than actually stoppping a #$@* thief.
I haven't got around to installing one our GD yet but had the RVlock on our Jayco more for convience ( no key to handle )
 
If the bad guys want in.... nothing is probably going to stop them on these cheap built RV's. But, with that being stated, you can make your RV less appealing to would-be theifs and maybe moving on to the next one. That would be the only real reason to invest IMO into changing locks or installing cameras.

Like stated in a prior post, most of the these issues seem to happen while RVs are in storage or at camp and vacant for long periods of time. Ours was hit once in a storage facility by another renter who knew something about the cheap key OEM locksets (CH751) used on storage doors. He even was so nice as to lock it back up after taking what he wanted!

We ended up switching out the OEM CH751 locks with barrel locks which have many more security configurations than the CH751's. Also replaced our OEM entry door lock with a better locking handle type, and requested the master key be replaced with a non-master: TTLM-45100-2006-1PK Ultra M Pro Manual Lock. This cheap upgrade basically does nothing more than "maybe" make the would-be thief go onto the next RV. So far.... its worked.
 
we put an RVlock electronic door lock on our trailer. they offer cargo door locks, so one key will open every lock on the trailer. they weren't all that expensive if I remember correctly
 
I love parking next to those RVs with the RVLocks on them. Helps keep my RV with an old manual keyed lock a little more under the radar.

Bees will always go to the source of the best nectar... so do would be thieves.... ;)
 
Or, to look at it from a different perspective, electricity follows the path of least resistance.
As do most thieves in my experience.
As an aside, we don’t carry anything with us that can’t be easily replaced.
Rich
 
This topic seems to be making the rounds again on the various RV forums. As was mentioned above, "RV" and "security" don't really go together. A determined thief will be able to get what he wants. All you can do is either make it harder for him or make it so easy that nothing else is damaged.

Replacing the lock that everyone uses with one that no one else uses just means that the thief will assume there is something valuable in there and tear the door off the bay. Now you are out not only the stuff that was taken but also an expensive door repair.

Lest anyone think that a stainless steel MH like a Wanderlodge is safe, just look at the bay floors. Fiberglass.

I lock only one bay when traveling and that only because it can be easily opened and I don't want stuff falling out. That's the last bay used when getting ready to travel and the first one needed when setting up. The most expensive thing in any of the bays is the 50A extension cord.

Oh yes, stealing the whole trailer. Those locks that go on the hitch won't stop a thief. Several years ago I saw a short video of a "thief" "stealing" a locked Airstream. In less than a minute he backed the truck up to the trailer, chained the tongue to the hitch, retracted the tongue jack, hooked up the electrical cord, and drove off. Not a great way to tow, for sure, but then if you are stealing the whole trailer you only have to go somewhere where you can hide the thing.
 
We went the traditional home security system route, not going to stop them from coming in but at least we are going to know about it when they do
 
trailrydr said:
If the bad guys want in.... nothing is probably going to stop them on these cheap built RV's. But, with that being stated, you can make your RV less appealing to would-be theifs and maybe moving on to the next one. That would be the only real reason to invest IMO into changing locks or installing cameras.

Like stated in a prior post, most of the these issues seem to happen while RVs are in storage or at camp and vacant for long periods of time. Ours was hit once in a storage facility by another renter who knew something about the cheap key OEM locksets (CH751) used on storage doors. He even was so nice as to lock it back up after taking what he wanted!

We ended up switching out the OEM CH751 locks with barrel locks which have many more security configurations than the CH751's. Also replaced our OEM entry door lock with a better locking handle type, and requested the master key be replaced with a non-master: TTLM-45100-2006-1PK Ultra M Pro Manual Lock. This cheap upgrade basically does nothing more than "maybe" make the would-be thief go onto the next RV. So far.... its worked.
Click to expand...

*** Thanks "trailrydr". Respecting your thoughts I'm ordering from "Latchit.org". A keyless main door latch, 2 compartment "slam" latches and 1 compartment "barrel-style" latch. Pray all will be well. Tks all! ***
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads - MGRV

R
Keys for storage areas are very generic. I probably have your key
2
Tony_in_AZ
T
Dive Bar Casanova
First Trip 20224 398M: The Good and not so good
Dive Bar Casanova
Dive Bar Casanova
Second Chance
FOR SALE: 2020 Solitude 310GK-R (significant mods and upgrades)
Gpo1958
Gpo1958
P
  • Locked
***SOLD***2021 Grand Design Trancend Xplor 245RL - USED ONLY ONCE
triplethreat
triplethreat
Mannyjt
280RS Break In Woes
zibberfitchy
zibberfitchy

New posts - MGRV

Back
Top Bottom