Why Are RV Locks So Easy to Defeat? Security Concerns with Geo Pro and Others

[BrucePerens]

I'm really bummed at how bad the locks are on my Geo Pro 15fbs. I think it's the same for many Forest River brands. I wrote it up here:

How to Burglarize a Forest River Trailer – Bruce Perens

 

[Reverse_snowbird]

It's not just Forest River.
You could replace them with locks that meet your specifications.

Locks won't keep out a determined burglar. A crowbar will open most doors and storage compartments on a trailer. A crowbar is going to leave a lot more damage than defeating a flimsy lock.

 

[BrucePerens]

Actually, there aren't any better locks available. The available cabinet locks all use poor quality cylinders with 60 to 90 key codes. There is one brand of electronic door lock that uses a Schlage cylinder with no security pins for backup, and the Lockpicking Lawyer picked it in less than a minute.

If you buy "keyed the same" locks, they come with exactly one key code which is the same as everyone else who bought a "keyed the same" lock from that manufacturer. I have even found higher security manufacturers like Abus doing that.

 

[bikendan]

I'm really bummed at how bad the locks are on my Geo Pro 15fbs. I think it's the same for many Forest River brands. I wrote it up here:

How to Burglarize a Forest River Trailer – Bruce Perens

I believe most the RV Industry, not just FR, use the same door latch/locks from Lippert and has for years

 

[jimmarako]

I'm not sure what your complaint is? Your own write up admits that anyone, including a bear, can get into your trailer with little to no effort (or sound or attracting attention). So should trailers come with retina scanners and fingerprint ID's with 28 digit passcode that must be entered? To what end?
Reminds me of the movie RED when Bruce Willis breaks into the CIA. He gets to a door that that has a 10 digit code that changes randomly every day with a random sequence generator.... basically unbreakable he says. He then kicks a hole through the wall, reaches in and opens the door from the inside.
I think I'll skip the $1000 lock upgrade and just lock the door to keep the noisy kids out.

 

[NMWildcat]

It's an RV. I have no idea how you could make one secure from someone who really wants in.

We lock the front door to delay a thief. If we are inside, hopefully we would have time to wake up and defend ourselves while the intruder pried it open.

I rarely lock the outside cubbies while camping. Anyone with a screwdriver can open one in seconds, no matter which type of lock you have. There is nothing in the cubbies that is of great value or that I can't replace. Liz does lock them while traveling to ensure they are shut and hopefully keep them from coming open on the road.

Thankfully, in all the years we have RVed all over the country, we have never had anything stolen.

 

[Oaklevel]

ll I can say is I disagree with the "how to brake into an RV". A master key will not open a standard RV lock if the dead bolt is locked. I am not saying that it is not easy to brake in. Like a convertable we rarely lock our RV. The thief would cause more damage getting in than what they would steal.

We have owned an RV for 50 years and never been broken into or stolen from. The locks oub our 2017 as they were on our 1973. We also do not keep any thing of value in our RV more than a $100 TV. Our house is just as easy or easier to brake into.

 

[ejl923]

I camped for years in a tent, so the fact that our camper has a lock at all is a plus for me. I’ve been contemplating adding a lockbox for some valuable items bolted down somewhere , but generally know it is not a a space for anything of value.

 

[escape pod 47]

They're like locking up a car with a convertible top.

 

[DES-1]

If you buy "keyed the same" locks, they come with exactly one key code which is the same as everyone else who bought a "keyed the same" lock from that manufacturer.

Not true. While the locksets are numbered, you can specify what you want at the time of order. I ordered locks with a specific code so my RV has a single key - not for security but for convenience. This is a non-issue, if you want unique locks...employ a locksmith. But RVs are so flimsy most can be broken into with a big screwdriver and a hammer.

 

[Chuck_S]

Buddy named Bill parked his convertible at the airport for a week long business trip. Deliberately did NOT lock it.

Another buddy named Bob was walking thru the parking lot a bit later and noticed Bill's car was unlocked. Locked it as a courtesy to Bill.

You know the ending...

-- Chuck