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04-23-2011, 06:20 AM
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#1
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 92
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How to deal with the locked out coach issue
Have you or the DW ever been locked out of your RV? I know, I know somebody is going to have some smart comment about how that might be a good thing with respect to the DW. Well, not for me. I have the greatest wife in the world and we have been married for over 55 years so, for me either one of us being locked out is a no go issue.
Here's how I solved the problem. I bought, for about $25.00 a little key locker that I securley attached it to the outside of our motor right beside the entrance door. The locker has a combination [3 numbers changeable] lock system, is white in color [matches our RV color], is very strong and is nice looking.
Now if the DW and I are away from the coach and return seperatly without a key, we can just punch in the key locker code, open the box and we are in. Same goes for locking the door with the keys inside or lossing the keys. Very easy to do.
We have used the locker many times and think it is handy enough to be a consideration for all our fellow RV'ers.
Pine Tree
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04-23-2011, 06:42 AM
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#2
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Ann Arbor Michigan
Posts: 224
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Just wondering where you bought the "Key Locker" at?
__________________
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] 2005 Suncruiser Banks Powerpack
Chocolate lab (Buster) 2007 Jeep Wrangler
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04-23-2011, 08:04 AM
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#3
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 169
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Any pictures? Waterproof?
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Peter
1997 F53 Adventurer 37rw
IAFF L-792 (Retired)
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04-23-2011, 08:26 AM
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#4
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pine tree
Have you or the DW ever been locked out of your RV? I know, I know somebody is going to have some smart ass comment about how that might be a good thing with respect to the DW. Well, not for me. I have the greatest wife in the world and we have been married for over 55 years so, for me either one of us being locked out is a no go issue.
Here's how I solved the problem. I bought, for about $25.00 a little key locker that I securley attached it to the outside of our motor right beside the entrance door. The locker has a combination [3 numbers changeable] lock system, is white in color [matches our RV color], is very strong and is nice looking.
Now if the DW and I are away from the coach and return seperatly without a key, we can just punch in the key locker code, open the box and we are in. Same goes for locking the door with the keys inside or lossing the keys. Very easy to do.
We have used the locker many times and think it is handy enough to be a consideration for all our fellow RV'ers.
Pine Tree
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A possible location for such a locker would be inside the door to the propane tank. By law, that cannot be lockable anyway, so perhaps it could be mounted there to be more inconspicuous?
BTW, I have a similar type of item inside the garage to my brick and mortar house (like the ones the real estate agents put on houses that are for sale). Won't believe how many times I have used this to get back in when I lock myself out of the house by accident.
__________________
Jaime & Dave (and our 3 cocker spaniels)
2005 Alpine Coach 36FDTS w/ 2009 Honda CR-V, Doran TPMS, Roadmaster Towbar, US Gear Braking
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04-23-2011, 08:31 AM
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#5
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,665
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Pine Tree,
Been there, done that! One evening taking the puppy outside I was in my Jammys and when I tried to get back in the door was locked. On the '08 winnie, the door handle latch is a push down to latch, up to unlatch. It is real close to the door handle, and my big fingers accidentally pushed it down. I was very fortunate in the fact that DW was inside. I knocked, she opened, and she asked, "Why did you lock the door?" Women!
From that time on I make sure she is in the coach, or that I have keys in my pocket. However, I already had a "Lock Box" and I had a set of keys made. My lock box is in my propane compartment which cannot be locked. I now have piece of mind.
Thanks for the post.
Hee hee! I post about the same time Jaime and Dave did.
__________________
Wayne MSGT USMC (Ret) & Earlene (CinCHouse)
2015 Winnebago Tour 42QD - 2020 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve (TOAD)
(RVM-14) It is what it is, and then it is what you make of it.
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04-23-2011, 09:18 AM
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#6
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Litchfield Park, Arizona
Posts: 656
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Looks like a great idea Pine Tree. After locking ourselves out and having to push... er, help our 4 year old grandson through a small open window I got a hide a key thing and stashed a spare key to the entry door. Can't start the engine with it but if I'm locked out it gets me back inside.... now if I can just remember where I hid that darned thing.
Thanks for sharing the tip.
Rick
__________________
Rick, Nancy, Peanut & Lola our Westie Dogs & Bailey the Sheltie.
2007 Itasca Ellipse 40FD
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04-23-2011, 12:18 PM
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#7
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Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 296
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Quote:
Originally Posted by codgerbill
Just wondering where you bought the "Key Locker" at?
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I got one at Lowes. It's weatherproof and located in the propane compartment.
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ernieh
2019 Phaeton 37BH
2003 Journey DL
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04-23-2011, 02:46 PM
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#8
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: On Wheels
Posts: 24
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We got one of those hide-a-key thingies and have hidden it in a good spot. It's saved us once already when our niece was over and she accidently locked the RV with everyone outside.
__________________
12 paws, 40 feet and the open road
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04-23-2011, 02:57 PM
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#9
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Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sonoma County, CA
Posts: 429
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I bought my combination lock hide-a-key at a local lock and key shop. Here is a link to the one I bought: » Keyless Lock Box (Hide A Key)
__________________
Wayne & Roberta and Maggie the Miracle Dog
08 Winnebago Destination 39W Gas UFO Workhorse Chassis
Making the Journey in our Destination
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04-23-2011, 03:42 PM
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#10
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 851
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I have a key locker, also called a Realtor's box, installed in my rig,, I won't say where.
If the problem is idiot me left keys inside, it's great,, All I have to do is recall which of several combinations I used on it.
Of course,, when it happened.... it was a broken striker bolt and that was a horse of another shade as they say.
__________________
Home is where I park it!
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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04-23-2011, 04:37 PM
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#11
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: St. Augustine, FL
Posts: 587
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The hidden key or key lock box is a great idea and I have one too. But, when the door won't open because of a latch/lock mechanism failure that key won't help. You just have to go in a window. If you have tinted windows it's very difficult without very close inspection (or trying the window) to determine that the window has been left unlocked. For those of you that have to store in a remote storage yard leaving a window unlocked could be a problem. When the door opening mechanism fails you will wish you had left a window unlocked. We've been leaving one unlocked for about 6 years with no problems.....but, we may just be lucky.
__________________
KIX
'02 Ultimate Advantage 40J Spartan MM - Cummins ISC
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04-23-2011, 07:17 PM
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 13
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When we had the TT and truck we stopped on the way out of a camp ground to dump the last garbage. I left the truck running in park and the wife got out to dump the garbage and I got out to do a finale check of the hitch and THE IDIOT YORKIE LOCKED THE TRUCK DOORS. Panic time, then I remebered I had read on another forum to keep a spare set of truck keys in the TT and a spare set of TT keys in the truck and a set for both in my pocket. I was so glad I followed that advice. I used the TT keys in my pocket to unlock the TT and get the spare truck keys and unlocked the truck. I now carry a spare set of MH keys in the toad and a spare set of toad keys in the MH and a set for both in my pocket.
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04-23-2011, 07:38 PM
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#13
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Nashua, NH
Posts: 28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KIX
The hidden key or key lock box is a great idea and I have one too. But, when the door won't open because of a latch/lock mechanism failure that key won't help. You just have to go in a window. If you have tinted windows it's very difficult without very close inspection (or trying the window) to determine that the window has been left unlocked. For those of you that have to store in a remote storage yard leaving a window unlocked could be a problem. When the door opening mechanism fails you will wish you had left a window unlocked. We've been leaving one unlocked for about 6 years with no problems.....but, we may just be lucky.
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Kix funny you wrote that, I now leave a window unlocked too.
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f54/locked-inside-80777.html
__________________
2006 Damon Daybreak 3274 35' Ford F53 V-10
2006 Ion Retired Navy, FAA and PASS Union VP
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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04-23-2011, 07:51 PM
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#14
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: GA
Posts: 6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pine tree
Have you or the DW ever been locked out of your RV?
Pine Tree
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I travel solo, but found a great place to hide a key outside the trailer. I also keep extra sets in the truck and a set around my neck with a whistle. If you knew me, you would know that this doesn't mean I will never lock myself out.
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04-24-2011, 07:16 AM
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#15
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: McKinney, TX...For Now
Posts: 14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wayne M
Pine Tree,
Been there, done that! One evening taking the puppy outside I was in my Jammys and when I tried to get back in the door was locked. On the '08 winnie, the door handle latch is a push down to latch, up to unlatch. It is real close to the door handle, and my big fingers accidentally pushed it down. I was very fortunate in the fact that DW was inside. I knocked, she opened, and she asked, "Why did you lock the door?" Women!
From that time on I make sure she is in the coach, or that I have keys in my pocket. However, I already had a "Lock Box" and I had a set of keys made. My lock box is in my propane compartment which cannot be locked. I now have piece of mind.
Thanks for the post.
Hee hee! I post about the same time Jaime and Dave did.
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You post some of the funniest stuff!! I just love your sense of humor!! It's a welcome relief in the midst of trolls and naysayers!! Thanks for the smile!!
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04-24-2011, 08:18 AM
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#16
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 97
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A funny story about a friend who locked himself out of his running RV while he was setting up. Of course he did not have a spare set of keys to get back in so we got out tools to try to pry the door open or as a last resort break a window to get in. None of that worked so before we broke a window I thought to try the key to my rig in his door. He had an Itasca and I had a Coachmen so there was little hope but lo and behold with a little jiggling and finesse the key worked! Guess most RV manufacturers use the same vendor for lock sets and there are just so many key patterns!
__________________
Ron, Joan
2005 Itasca Sunova 34A
2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland
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04-24-2011, 03:40 PM
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#17
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 31
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I know of someone who has a small nail behind the refrigerator grill with a copy of the key hanging from it. I couldn't say who that is...
__________________
Mark & Christine-
04 Winnebago Itasca Suncruiser - 35U
02 Mustang GT & 11 Escape Limited 2WD
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04-24-2011, 04:08 PM
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#18
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 26
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Good discussion. This has been a concern as I have been doing my best to make our teardrop as theft resistant as possible. Youtube is an education in how to break into and steal just about anything and a good example is coupler locks. The vast majority can be broken using a bolt cutter or hammer and chisel or just taking the bolts that hold the coupler on the trailer off and putting on a new on. I settled on a Trailer Cop (fits up inside of the coupler pocket nothing projecting) coming from New Zealand and with use theft resistant bolts.
BUT where to put the keys for your very theft resistant...
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04-24-2011, 05:09 PM
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#19
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: GA
Posts: 6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bandirector
I know of someone who has a small nail behind the refrigerator grill with a copy of the key hanging from it. I couldn't say who that is...
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How did you know that???!!!! I thought it was my best kept secret! I also have a set of my truck keys IN the TRAILER and a set of the trailer keys IN the TRUCK.
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04-24-2011, 05:32 PM
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#20
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: GA
Posts: 6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Shadowcatche
Good discussion. This has been a concern as I have been doing my best to make our teardrop as theft resistant as possible. Youtube is an education in how to break into and steal just about anything and a good example is coupler locks. The vast majority can be broken using a bolt cutter or hammer and chisel or just taking the bolts that hold the coupler on the trailer off and putting on a new on. I settled on a Trailer Cop (fits up inside of the coupler pocket nothing projecting) coming from New Zealand and with use theft resistant bolts.
BUT where to put the keys for your very theft resistant...
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Personally, I think if someone wants to get in your recreational vehicle badly enough, they will get in. I have my cameras, grab and go bag, and most importantly, my pup with me when I leave. Everything else is covered by insurance. Plus, I think I have an advantage with a 21 foot trailer. Who's going to try to rob me when there are all the beautiful, big, fancy RVs around me?
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