Entry Door Lock Failure "Safety"

[DennyBevBarnes]

The entry door lock (deadbolt)mechanism failed, locking me and my family inside the motorhome preventing egress. Of course my greatest fear is that my family and grandchildren could have be trapped and in the event of an emergency could have risk of injury or God forbid death.
I was able to exit using the rear safety window, then working with my wife inside sending photos back and forth, we disassembled the inside plate and using vise grips turned the deadbolt shaft to open the door. Working now with my dealer on repairs.

[kentdavido]

Yikes, that's crazy.

[360true]

On my 378 the inside latch broke but I was able to open with a screwdriver. Unfortunately was not able to replace just the inside plate. Anyone want to buy the entire latch mechanism with new locks? PM me please.

[jk510]

Had a similar experience with my Mirada this summer.

I was on the outside and my DW was on the inside.
I tried to open the door and the handle pivoted out like usual but with no resistance. DW tried the inside but the same thing there.
I borrowed a ladder and climbed in the emergency exit window, took the mechanism apart inside only to find the the latch bolt itself had broken. There was no way to open the door from the inside. Climbed back out and was able to force the latch in with a thin strip of metal.
I ordered a replacement thru Amazon and got it the day before we had to leave the park. I was really worried about it fitting because it was not the same latch but it did and all is well now.

[Lacrosse40]

I had my deadbolt mess up also with my first TT. Dealer had to drill it out! Luckily we were not away on a trip!

[padcarroll]

This also just happened to my 2014 Legacy. This IS a safety issue and I see more and more posts related to the same failure. What does it take to get a recall and hold the manufacturer responsible?

[Steeljag]

Scary !

[Mr Havercamp]

And the lock manufacturer is?

Try doing a netsearch for Wesco Fastec lock recall.

[djinfl]

Yes this happened to us twice last summer as the regular lock failed first and then the deadbolt. We got very adept at crawling out the passenger side window onto the roof of our car. We got a replacement lock and a spare in case it happens again. The lock was maladjusted and just broke under stress - especially when unlevel which is most of the time you are on the road traveling, btw.

The dealership freed my hubby the first time and showed him how to find the screws that are hidden behind the deadbolt. So we are ready when it happens again. This time we make sure the door is set right in the frame before we pull the latch. (Pull it in a bit to hear click before unlatching) Last year we were yanking it without paying any attention.

[Vince and Charlette]

Had the same thing happen on our 2015 GT. Called a locksmith who crawled in through the driver's window to take it apart from the inside. Then I contacted the lock manufacturer who overnighted an entire new handle to me. They admitted to it being a known problem but weren't willing to use the word "recall". No doubt this is a serious safety issue.

[RVnut]

So who is the manufacturer of this defective door handle mechanism??..

[MrGrmpy]

Same thing on my 2015 GT. On our way to southern Fl. I had to crawl out the driver side window to fuel up.😃. Stopped at a camping world had us going in an hour.


Mr. G


2015 Forest River Georgetown 351DS

[Vince and Charlette]

Trimark is used in my 2015 GT and in many MHs. Unfortunately, you have to take the handle apart from the inside to find out the model number.

TriMark Corporation - Latch, Handle, Linkage, Electronic, Hinge, Vehicle door hardware

[padcarroll]

I am filing a complaint with the NHSTA. I suggest everyone do the same to force a recall. Here is the link to file the complaint.

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/

[SS396CV]

Good to know, I carry a small screw driver kit inside, in case I have to take it apart


Looks like my Tri-Mark door latch has been replaced with a new design.

[DennyBevBarnes]

You will be pleased (we are) to know that Forrest River, Lippert and Total Value RV are working on this issue know. We all expect an occasional failure, it is how the dealer and manufactures react that separate the good from the bad. Right now I have to tell you they have been very responsive.

[ramseyjacob]

I've been full-timing since Memorial Day and occasionally the door on my 364 TS starts to stick and you can't slam it closed anymore, you have to pull the handle a bit to get it closed.

Is this the precursor to the OP's issue?


2016 Georgetown 364TS
2005 Honda Pilot (toad)
Wife, 3 kids, dog

[djinfl]

That is how ours started - a sticky door that you have to pull back in just to unlatch.

[Vince and Charlette]

Ramseyjacob, That's what happened to mine. I first thought the screws on the door frame needed to be tightened. But, that didn't fix it. Finally, it completely failed in the locked position. After a locksmith climbed through the driver's window and took it apart, I found that a molded plastic wedge-shaped part had broken preventing the locking mechanism from releasing the lock. TriMark overnighted me a complete new handle (at their expense). Oddly, the new one had a plastic wedge-shaped part that appeared to be exactly like the old one!

[cbmerton]

Happened to me to. Called locksmith, they said they could not help. Then called rv dealer, said,good luck.
Was able to get small daughter in small window and unlock driver window. Totally broken locked. Bought new one so I could leave for trip. Mint broke three hours before leaving. Thank God it happened before we left home