Locked out of my own camper

Cowracer · 05-19-2017, 08:14 AM

Well... poo.

I needed in the camper last night. Key unlocked the deadbolt just fine, but would not unlock the door lock. Hmmm.

Tried it both ways. Tried jiggling it. Even shot it with some silicone lube just in case. I even tried the spare key. No luck.

After careful observation, I noticed that the key is not seating all the way home when I insert it in the lock. It's like something has gotten in the lock mechanism and is blocking the key from going all the way in. Its a very tiny opening, so I cant really see down in it. Whatever it is hitting feels solid. Its not like some local brat shoved a twig in the lock. As far as I can tell, there is no way to open it from the outside without causing damage to the door. I don't care about the lock, I can replace that easy enough, but I don't want to screw up the door.

I'm thinking about just seeing if I can pound the spare key in with a hammer. Or lacking that, I might manually run the bedroom slide out enough so the be will raise up, and Shanghai-ing a skinny kid so I can stuff him through the outside storage hatch under the bed and having him open the lock from the inside. Other than that, I can't see any other way into the camper without major disassembly or destruction.

I'm glad this didn't happen on the way to go camping somewhere.

Tim

5picker · 05-19-2017, 08:18 AM

Sounds like one of the lock cylinder cams is stuck or jammed.
You might have some luck spraying with WD-40 and tapping the key. Tapping not pounding.

Sounds like if you can get in through a storage compartment, that might be the best bet.

ben31 · 05-19-2017, 08:26 AM

Storage compartment or a locksmith.

youroo · 05-19-2017, 09:01 AM

Tim is the Little SS flap missing,the one that covers the Key entrance point? Ours dislodged and ended up in the rear of the tumbler area like you are describing!

We went in the other door,you can't! So Skinny Kid is your Op!

Youroo!!

Gave me a reason to install a "RV Lock" with key pad and remote!

Chunk6649 · 05-19-2017, 09:02 AM

Years ago, I couldn't get my key in my trucks ignition. Felt similar to what you are saying. Called a locksmith to fix it. He took my key and tapped it until it went all the way in. The ignition was broke, but it needed to be turned to replace it. Sounds like you could try tapping it with a hammer until the key goes in, but I would assume the lock is broke.

wahoonc · 05-19-2017, 09:05 AM

Drill the cylinder out with a 3/8" drill bit, then replace it later. You still have the dead bolt.

Aaron

Cowracer · 05-19-2017, 11:02 AM

The little 'flap' is still there, and under spring tension, so that's not it. In fact, it'd be a whole lot easier to see what's going on if it wasn't there.

Calling a locksmith is out. To much $$$ for something I know I can deal with myself.

Gonna try the lube and tap method tonight. If not, I'm gonna have to do the skinny kid through the storage compartment thing. Anyone got a skinny kid I can borrow? All the kids in my neighborhood are mostly grown up, too young or too big. lol

Tim

kcmusa · 05-19-2017, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cowracer

The little 'flap' is still there, and under spring tension, so that's not it. In fact, it'd be a whole lot easier to see what's going on if it wasn't there.

Calling a locksmith is out. To much $$$ for something I know I can deal with myself.

Gonna try the lube and tap method tonight. If not, I'm gonna have to do the skinny kid through the storage compartment thing. Anyone got a skinny kid I can borrow? All the kids in my neighborhood are mostly grown up, too young or too big. lol

Tim

I'll put the skinny kid in an overnight package.

AquaMan · 05-19-2017, 11:32 AM

A screwdriver driven into the lock with a hammer works just fine!!

I'll attach a pic later.

Cowracer · 05-19-2017, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcmusa

I'll put the skinny kid in an overnight package.

make sure to put air holes in the box. Took me 3 kids to figure that one out.

Tim

DustyRoads · 05-19-2017, 12:45 PM

You said you unlocked the dead bolt. Can you slide a small flat tool with a slight hook, between the door and door jam to release the latch? The reverse of using a credit card to release it.

5picker · 05-19-2017, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DustyRoads

You said you unlocked the dead bolt. Can you slide a small flat tool with a slight hook, between the door and door jam to release the latch? The reverse of using a credit card to release it.

And just how do you know of this credit card procedure????

TonyShope · 05-19-2017, 01:24 PM

Drill it out the cores are cheap. Or upgrade to the non universal key system after the drill out. Once drilled the bore will fall into the channel with an ice pick. Unfortunately I have broken into a lot of campers as a cop rather than shatter a door or destroy evidence.

DustyRoads · 05-19-2017, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5picker

And just how do you know of this credit card procedure????

I have seen it on TV. [emoji6]

Cowracer · 05-19-2017, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DustyRoads

You said you unlocked the dead bolt. Can you slide a small flat tool with a slight hook, between the door and door jam to release the latch? The reverse of using a credit card to release it.

You, sir are a genius. It never even crossed my mind...

Its called "loiding" and I just happen to have a very thin, very flexible putty knife with a chunk ground out if the edge leaving a hook profile that works very well for that.

It's best if you don't ask why I have it.

Actually, my Mom used to lock herself out of her house all the time (at least twice or 3 times a year) and she would not let me put a hide-a-key out for her, and I lost like 2 of her spare keys, so it was just easier and pretty quick for me to come over with my putty knife and pop the door open.

Tim

DustyRoads · 05-19-2017, 02:12 PM

Well I hope it works. Good luck.
I will share the genius comment with DW.

sfsgm · 05-19-2017, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cowracer

The little 'flap' is still there, and under spring tension, so that's not it. In fact, it'd be a whole lot easier to see what's going on if it wasn't there.

Calling a locksmith is out. To much $$$ for something I know I can deal with myself.

Gonna try the lube and tap method tonight. If not, I'm gonna have to do the skinny kid through the storage compartment thing. Anyone got a skinny kid I can borrow? All the kids in my neighborhood are mostly grown up, too young or too big. lol

Tim

AAA came and opened mine up in moments last year. No additional charge and we were waaaaay out in a state campground.

traindrv · 05-19-2017, 04:29 PM

Can you file the end of the off just enough to get it in?

DaveandSue · 05-19-2017, 04:42 PM

AAA came out when my BIL and us were in Cali this winter.He was glad he had that AAA.Took him less time to pick the lock than to type this. Like up above no extra charge. Key was in camper and the handle lock was locked.

oceanguy · 05-19-2017, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cowracer

Well... poo.

I'm glad this didn't happen on the way to go camping somewhere.

Tim

This happened to me - bought Surveyor brand new in October - used it once and went in for winter storage. Went to pick it up to de-winterize and go camping and got one to unlock and the other felt like someone broke something off inside the cylinder... Went home for some tools. I brought really small/thin hex key set and graphite. After tinkering with it for about 30 minutes and some foul language shouted in my own head - I found that wiggling the key upwards and downwards freed up one of the seized tumblers and allowed the key to go all the way in. At first only would turn one direction. Pulling the key out and more graphite and putting it back in, it finally freed it up.

Good luck - you have the key, there's likely nothing inside - just takes patience and a few taps on the key and wiggles.

You may also like: