Compartment locks

[Stevej3658]

Ok this might be a dumb question but here goes. I want to replace the compartment locks on my Forrest River because they have become hard to unlock, sucks when it raining or cold out. How do I determine what size they are ? Looking on Amazon there are apparently different sizes. Standing by to get bashed so have at it 😁

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by Stevej3658

Ok this might be a dumb question but here goes. I want to replace the compartment locks on my Forrest River because they have become hard to unlock, sucks when it raining or cold out. How do I determine what size they are ? Looking on Amazon there are apparently different sizes. Standing by to get bashed so have at it ��

I think the main dimension is the length of the threaded shank--to accommodate different door thicknesses. Take one of yours out and measure it.

[dontay]

This is why you should never throw anything out!! Years ago I replaced the compartment locks on ours and a few weeks ago I came across all that info in a drawer and threw it away. I don't remember the name of the company or even whether I got them on Amazon, Ebay, or through a search. Sorry.

However, I do remember two problems. 1. I actually miscounted the number of compartments and had to call them and add a lock to the order before they shipped. 2. The shipped locks looked the same at first and they were the size I needed as measured off their website but as I installed them I found that some were not threaded all the way to the end of the barrel so there was no way to screw on the retainer nut when they were inserted through the hole. The company sent replacement units when I called because there was nothing on their website about different thread lengths and length of the barrel is critical.

Good luck. Do newer RV's still use the old 751 key?

[2021rvers]

Yes, my last one, my new one, and my Dad's all have the same key!

[Stevej3658]

This seemed to be helpful diagram

[Aussieguy]

spray some WD40 (or liquid wrench) to get them loosened
insert key and turn lock back forward a few times


then use some lock lube to keep them unstiffened
WD40 is not a good long lasting lubricant.

I use it to clean off.... old dirty contaminated lubricant

sometime you might have to bend the latch mechanism just a little especially if you got kids that force the compartment doors





may take a while for the WD40 to take effect be patient
my locks are keyed alike so don't want to mess with changing locks

[Bob K4TAX]

Use power Graphite in the locks.

NEVER use WD-40 or the like or you'll be sorry as it will gum up the pins.


Bob

[Larry-NC]

As Columbo used to say on TV, just one more thing...

Your new locks will come with TWO tongues. One will have an offset like the picture in SteveJ's post above. The other will be flat. This gives you three different options for adjustment.

Start with the flat tongue. If it closes snugly with no rattle, or takes a gentle pushing on the door, it's fine.

If it rattles, switch to the offset tongue with the offset portion TOWARDS the door.

If the tongue won't turn at all, switch to the offset tongue with with the offset portion AWAY FROM the door.

You may have noticed that the tongues have a square hole which matches a square boss on the lock cylinder. I find it helpful to place the tongue on the boss in the position that matches the key orientation. That way I can tell by looking at the lock whether it is locked or not, and which way to turn it.

[reubenray374]

Are there replacement locks out there that everyone does not have keys that fit them also?

[jenandjon]

Originally Posted by 2021rvers

Yes, my last one, my new one, and my Dad's all have the same key!

You would be surprised how many trailer take the same key. I bet your key would open half the trailers at any given Campground.

[F.R.O.G.]

To the OP, if what brand is your RV? Have you tried calling the service center and giving them the last 8 digits of your VIN to see if they can give you the specs on the locks?

Last week at the Tampa RV Show I ran into a company from Elkhart that sells kits to rekey all of your locks. A friend at the show told me he used their kits and did all of his locks on a DIY basis in about a half hour.

RV Locks and More

[BehindBars]

Originally Posted by Bob K4TAX

Use power Graphite in the locks.

NEVER use WD-40 or the like or you'll be sorry as it will gum up the pins.


Bob

How long will it take for WD40 to gum up the pins? I’ve been spraying a little WD in locks as needed for decades and have yet to have one gum up.

[BehindBars]

Originally Posted by reubenray374

Are there replacement locks out there that everyone does not have keys that fit them also?

Ch751.com can help with different keyed locks, or you can rekey them yourself if you know how. I found a unique but compatible Southco key and bought a wafer kit to rekey all my RV storage bin locks.

[Aussieguy]

Originally Posted by Aussieguy

spray some WD40 (or liquid wrench) to get them loosened
insert key and turn lock back forward a few times


then use some lock lube to keep them unstiffened
WD40 is not a good long lasting lubricant.

Those locks are prone to rust, not just at the pins
everything has to rotate.


WD40 or liquid wrench for cleaning / unstiffening
then use correct lube for whatever you are working on.


I did bold my first post to ensure people noticed to use the lock lube?

[Bob K4TAX]

A close friend is a licensed gunsmith. He says he makes most of his money cleaning weapons that have been cleaned or lubricated with WD-40. Another close friend is a licensed locksmith. He makes call after call where locks are lubricated with WD-40 and will no longer work correctly.

I'm not saying WD-40 is a bad product, but it is not a good long-term reliable lubrication product. There are specific products designed for lock lubrication, such as dry graphite or even liquid graphite. And there are specific products used for firearms lubrication. I certainly would not clean or lubricate any of my firearms with WD-40. When I need them to work, I don't want them to jam. Otherwise, I am likely to end up in a jam.

Bob

[Chuck_S]

Easy enough to measure the existing locks using the hint previously posted.



Since it seems like all exterior compartment doors of all campers use the same key. I used this style lock since folks will unlikely have a key.



-- Chuck

[BehindBars]

Originally Posted by Bob K4TAX

A close friend is a licensed gunsmith. He says he makes most of his money cleaning weapons that have been cleaned or lubricated with WD-40. Another close friend is a licensed locksmith. He makes call after call where locks are lubricated with WD-40 and will no longer work correctly.

I'm not saying WD-40 is a bad product, but it is not a good long-term reliable lubrication product. There are specific products designed for lock lubrication, such as dry graphite or even liquid graphite. And there are specific products used for firearms lubrication. I certainly would not clean or lubricate any of my firearms with WD-40. When I need them to work, I don't want them to jam. Otherwise, I am likely to end up in a jam.

Bob

Be that as it may, the discussion is about locks, not firearms.

[pgandw]

Originally Posted by BehindBars

Be that as it may, the discussion is about locks, not firearms.

It doesn't matter where it is used. WD-40 is not a good long term lubricant. WD-40 is designed to displace water on a submerged engine or similar, hence the full name Water Displacement Formula 40. The solvents are good lubricants and displace water - until they evaporate, usually at 2-4 weeks. The residue after solvent evaporation can be somewhat gummy, but still repels water. The residue will generally safely dissolve in the presence of most lubricants.

For a lock, dry graphite is the preferred lubricant. For a lock that already has water inside it, WD-40 or similar might work to get the water out, but then a real lubricant is needed.

In Alaska we used to say, "If it doesn't move and it should, use WD-40. If it moves and its not supposed to, use duct tape."

Fred W
2019 Flagstaff T21TBHW A-frame

2022 Hyundai Palisade

[hype]

Got new locks for mine here

[pgandw]

3 years ago, I replaced the outside compartment locks on our A-frame with combination thumb/key locks. Information is in this thread: https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...s-41517-7.html. One of the best modifications we have made, no chasing around for keys at the campground, yet we can lock the compartments whenever we choose.

After having moved east into wetter and saltier air, found the thumb latches sticking and difficult to use. Lubricating with graphite every year has solved the problem.

Fred W
2019 Flagstaff T21TBHW A-frame
2022 Hyundai Palisade