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01-13-2024, 11:40 AM
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#1
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Anderson Creek, NC
Posts: 247
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Hot Tip... Put a spare key outside!
I cranked my Meridian this morning and stepped out to disconnect the shore power while the airbags filled up, the wind blew the door shut and it self-locked... ALL the keys were inside.
I was able to slip the lock on the driver's window, reach in, and push the door lock switch.
When we first looked at the coach at the dealer's there was a key under the front hood hanging on the air valve. They apparently took it off and put it with the collection. There is now a spare key in my shop AND in a magnetic box hidden in the generator compartment.
Aaron
__________________
2014 Itasca Meridian 34B
2016 Coachmen Concord 300DS
2015 Focus Hybrid following along
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01-13-2024, 12:25 PM
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#2
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: North America somewhere
Posts: 2,115
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I keep one window unlocked, JIC the electric lock fails again. When it fails in the closed position, a key will not work.
__________________
2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA 1SG, retired;PPA,Good Sam Life member,FMCA. "We the people are the rightful masters of both the Congress and the Courts - not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow men who pervert the Constitution." Abraham Lincoln
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01-13-2024, 01:22 PM
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#3
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Just Trying to Help
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 526
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ray,IN
I keep one window unlocked, JIC the electric lock fails again. When it fails in the closed position, a key will not work.
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Yup. My coach's mechanical door lock failed (internally), such that I could not open the door. All the windows were closed and locked. After that, I always left at least one window (large enough to climb through) unlocked.
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Mark
2008 Holiday Rambler Admiral 30PDD (Ford F-53 chassis)
2009 Honda Fit Sport
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01-13-2024, 01:45 PM
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#4
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Anderson Creek, NC
Posts: 247
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Quote:
Originally Posted by l1v3fr33ord1
Yup. My coach's mechanical door lock failed (internally), such that I could not open the door. All the windows were closed and locked. After that, I always left at least one window (large enough to climb through) unlocked.
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There is a way to drill into the lock behind the handle to get to the linkage. I only have one window that locks on my unit, the driver's window and it isn't large enough for me to get through. The rest are crank open and even smaller. And I won't fit through a 14" vent opening either. I recall seeing that done at a campground one time, I don't recall the why at the time, but they had to take a vent off and stuff a kid through the 14"x14" opening to open the door.
Aaron
__________________
2014 Itasca Meridian 34B
2016 Coachmen Concord 300DS
2015 Focus Hybrid following along
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01-13-2024, 02:22 PM
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#5
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Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 356
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We locked ourselves out on Labor Day weekend. We found a small kid in the campground that could fit through the small window in the bed slide that was open. I have now put a set of keys in a lockbox where the propane tank is.
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2022 Forza 36H
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01-17-2024, 04:58 PM
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#6
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Surrey, B.C.
Posts: 50
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My main door locked one time when I closed the door firmly. The main door has two locks one has a red cover on the inside mechanism and the other is a dead bolt type. The red knob rod is what fell down, locking the main door. My 35' Itasca Sunrise has a driver's door as an alternate to the main door so I now always carry a set of keys on the outside in a lock box. They have come in very handy over the last 17 years!
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Knightly
2007 Itasca Sunrise 35A, W24 Chassis, Blue Ox, Toad-HHR. Retired
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01-17-2024, 05:29 PM
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#7
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Adventurer 30T
Join Date: Nov 2023
Location: SW Michigan
Posts: 4
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For years we always carry a spare set of MH keys in the dingy. Having third set of keys made is cheap insurance
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01-17-2024, 07:58 PM
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#8
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: May 2020
Location: South Guf Cove Port Charlotte, Florida
Posts: 164
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Yup we keep a spare set of keys all the time in our toad. We had the door lock when shutting it one nite when walking our dog. Luckily, though she was asleep my DW was still inside since then the set of keys in the toad and as backup when in the old magnetic case of yesteryear. I keep meaning to leave a window cracked as I had to help a guy get into his that way one year but I'm not in the habit of doing that but I have to as mentioned the linkage breaks your keys won't help then but if you get inside you can take it apart. Had that happen on our old winnebago years ago. But we were inside so that was easy.
__________________
Dana & my DW Terri, Shadow our 6 y/o Cocker Spaniel
2016 Tiffin Phaeton 44OH
Our Toad:2017 (FWD) Lincoln MKX
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01-17-2024, 08:10 PM
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#9
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Deming, NM
Posts: 585
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I might be said I'm a bit paranoid about being locked out of our RV. Our main keyset stays in the cockpit unless we leave the rig, then it goes in my pocket. When we're away from home on a trip I keep a 2nd set clipped on my belt. It's particularly useful when I'm outside the rig and need to access a locked compartment while the main set is in the ignition. In fact, even when we're home, I generally leave that 2nd set clipped on my belt in case I get a wild hare and need to get into the rig or a compartment. And there is a 3rd set in a magnetic box kept in a "secret" location outside the rig "just in case".
So, yes, I could be accused of overdoing it, but I'm pretty much assured of never being locked out.
__________________
2016 Minnie Winnie 27Q on a 2015 Ford E450 chassis. Retired U.S. Air Force. Lived in Anchorage, Alaska for 30+ years. Now Living in Deming, NM.
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01-17-2024, 08:18 PM
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#10
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: North America somewhere
Posts: 2,115
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Quote:
Originally Posted by akeagle
I might be said I'm a bit paranoid about being locked out of our RV. Our main keyset stays in the cockpit unless we leave the rig, then it goes in my pocket. When we're away from home on a trip I keep a 2nd set clipped on my belt. It's particularly useful when I'm outside the rig and need to access a locked compartment while the main set is in the ignition. In fact, even when we're home, I generally leave that 2nd set clipped on my belt in case I get a wild hare and need to get into the rig or a compartment. And there is a 3rd set in a magnetic box kept in a "secret" location outside the rig "just in case".
So, yes, I could be accused of overdoing it, but I'm pretty much assured of never being locked out.
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Never say never; fate is fickle, especially if you have a keyless entry system.
__________________
2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA 1SG, retired;PPA,Good Sam Life member,FMCA. "We the people are the rightful masters of both the Congress and the Courts - not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow men who pervert the Constitution." Abraham Lincoln
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01-18-2024, 08:42 AM
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#11
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Apache Junction, AZ
Posts: 1,244
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pjkid
For years we always carry a spare set of MH keys in the dingy. Having third set of keys made is cheap insurance
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I do the same, but always worry that my car keys might also be locked in the RV.
While I have thought about keeping a spare RV door key hidden somewhere I also know that potential thieves are smart enough to check for a hidden key in all of the external cabinets that are not locked. There are only two of those, the propane and the water, and there is no good place to hide a key there.
__________________
2020 Regency Ultra Brougham, IB model
2022 Jeep Wrangler Sport S toad
Roadmaster baseplate and tow bar
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01-18-2024, 08:59 AM
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#12
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Cedar Park, TX
Posts: 224
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Yeah we had a similar experience and now have a spare key hidden. I am risking the chance a thief finds it vs. getting locked out and screwed. I evaluated electronic locks but they were very pricey for the lock we have on our Minnie.
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01-18-2024, 09:15 PM
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#13
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Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 347
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Quote:
There are only two of those, the propane and the water, and there is no good place to hide a key there.
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I screwed a lockbox to the inside of the propane door and keep a set of door keys in it. I also keep an ignition key hidden inside the RV. Being locked out is a bigger concern for me than someone getting the door keys, if that happens it becomes State Farm's problem.
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2015 Vista 27N
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01-18-2024, 10:15 PM
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#14
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,666
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AJMike
[...]There are only two of those, the propane and the water, and there is no good place to hide a key there.
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Realtor's lock/lock box! Big enough to put keys in and the shackle will fit around a solid propane pipe. I did that with my last RV.
This RV I keep a spare set in the TOAD. TOAD has keyless entry/push button entry on the door. I don't worry about loking the keys in the car.
__________________
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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01-19-2024, 07:09 AM
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#15
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Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 356
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wayne M
Realtor's lock/lock box! Big enough to put keys in and the shackle will fit around a solid propane pipe. I did that with my last RV.
This RV I keep a spare set in the TOAD. TOAD has keyless entry/push button entry on the door. I don't worry about loking the keys in the car.
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Unless your TOAD battery dies for some reason :(
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01-19-2024, 03:44 PM
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#16
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Sartell, MN
Posts: 59
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We bought one of these and mounted it in a nice out of the way space.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
We are also lucky as our Adventurer has a drivers door.
__________________
Shawn & Debbie.....FMCA#F528777
2005 Winnebago Adventurer 38R
Workhorse 8.1/Allison Transmission
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01-19-2024, 09:54 PM
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#17
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: On the Road Westward
Posts: 711
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We always have one window unlocked, also a magnetic key box located in the propane tank compartment. Have not had to use either yet, Knock On Wood.
__________________
Dan & Sharon & Kasey (Our Yorkie Puppy (12 Yrs Old) On the Road (2012 Journey 36M, 2006 Jeep Liberty)
USN-Ret ('65-'93) Fulltimers, Class of 2012
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01-20-2024, 11:55 AM
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#18
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,666
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BirchyBoy
Unless your TOAD battery dies for some reason :(
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Then I pull the key out of the FOB and use it. Now hopefully my keys are not in the TOAD, but if they are I can get the other set from DW.
Funny you should mention that. On my previous 2013 the battery was notoriously dead when we stopped but the door access code always worked. Must not have been totally dead?
The newer 2020 I don't lock the doors when towing.
__________________
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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01-21-2024, 08:54 PM
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#19
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Proud “No Intent” Owner
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Belmont, CA
Posts: 1,774
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Quote:
Originally Posted by akeagle
I might be said I'm a bit paranoid about being locked out of our RV. Our main keyset stays in the cockpit unless we leave the rig, then it goes in my pocket. When we're away from home on a trip I keep a 2nd set clipped on my belt. It's particularly useful when I'm outside the rig and need to access a locked compartment while the main set is in the ignition. In fact, even when we're home, I generally leave that 2nd set clipped on my belt in case I get a wild hare and need to get into the rig or a compartment. And there is a 3rd set in a magnetic box kept in a "secret" location outside the rig "just in case".
So, yes, I could be accused of overdoing it, but I'm pretty much assured of never being locked out.
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I always have a key on a carabiner clipped to my pants loop. Same reason as you, handy when locking outside storage compartments.
I never leave a window unlocked. Seems to defeat the purpose of locking things in the first place…
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01-24-2024, 02:13 PM
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#20
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Full time RV'er
Posts: 1,178
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Under the drop down hood on my Journey would be a great place too. Hmm.
Now I just leave the small side window next to the door unlocked 24/7, 365 so I can reach in and unlock the door but obviously, that's not the greatest method.
Thanks for posting! Given me a better idea than what I'm doing.
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