In my post on securing our propane tanks, I mentioned I needed to improve our exterior storage compartment door security. There were two problems that needed to be addressed.
The CH751 Idiocy — the First Problem
Our 1992 Starcraft Meteorite had an exterior door with CH751 key and lock.
Likewise, our 2006 Fleetwood Niagara had two exterior storage doors that came with CH751 keys and locks.
Lastly, our 2014 Eclipse Milan also came with the same key and lock.
About 70% of RVs come with CH751 locks for their outside storage doors. They are also used on many camper shells, toolboxes and file cabinets. You can even buy a half dozen of them on Amazon for $7.50.
This is great news if you lose your key. You can order a new key(s). If you are at a campground and lose your key, you can borrow someone else’s key. Obviously it isn’t a good idea to have such a common lock on your RV!
I had been procrastinating for far too long to replace our locks.
The 2nd Problem — One Lock on Each Door
In the picture above you can see the single lock in the center of the door. Very easy to insert a large screwdriver or pry bar in the gap on the side of the door and simply pry it open.
I decided to replace the center lock and add another lock on each side of the door.
Remember These Rules
Rule #1 — You cannot stop a determined thief.
Rule #2 — If you think you can stop a determined thief, see Rule #1.
Most exterior storage doors are not sturdy!! Some are just a thin piece of metal. Nowadays many are just foam-filled cores with a thin and weak covering. Most use cam locks with locking arms that rotate behind a thin soft metal lip. They do not use any kind of a dead-bolt.
My strategy was to use three locks to make it more difficult to break in. That is, it will slow down the criminal and perhaps encourage the thief to move on to an easier target. Even with three locks, I know I could break into the storage compartment in a minute or two with some tools.
What Kind of Lock?
Unless you are willing to spend a lot of time and money to change from the typical cam lock on these exterior RV doors to something more secure, you are stuck with a cam lock, which are the weakest kind of lock one can buy.
Even if you are willing to invest in something more complicated, the door that came with your RV is ridiculously insecure. So most people just replace the original equipment lock with one of better quality.
A step up from the CH751 is a disc tumbler lock like the one below.
A better option is a tubular lock like the one below:
Where to Buy New Locks?
Most people probably go to Amazon. The LATCH.IT brand RV storage locks are popular and get good reviews. However you need to buy a lock with the exact same dimensions of what you already have, and their size options are very limited. I don’t know where these locks are made. They are a US based company, but they don’t say where the locks are made. Draw your own conclusions.
This website may be compensated for linking to other sites for sales of products. As an Amazon Associate I earn a small fee from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to the purchaser.
LATCH.IT 7/8” RV Storage Locks | 5-Pack RV Compartment Locks | Utility Cam Lock | 100% Metal RV Locks for Storage Door on Camper | 10-Key RV Cam Lock | Check Fitment Image Before Purchasing
$53.97 (as of October 16, 2024 09:28 GMT -07:00 – More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Another option is to buy something with some universal parts and try to get them to work, like this one. Also has a majority of good reviews. Where it is made, I don’t know — they don’t say.
Naissian RV Locks for Storage Door 1 1/8 INCH, Camper Storage Locks for Travel Trailer Compartment Cabinet Drawer with Keys 1 1/8″, Pack of 2 Locks with 4 Keyed Alike with Manual
$14.99 ($7.50 / Count) (as of October 16, 2024 09:28 GMT -07:00 – More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
. . . or you could buy a quality made US product with fantastic service and support . . .
which is what I did. They cost more. But doesn’t good quality always cost more?
I bought six locks from Industrial Lock & Hardware in Palmdale, California. They make their locks. And they make just about any size a person might need.
Industrial Lock & Hardware, Inc.
First: the disclosure. I posted a couple Amazon items earlier in this post. If you buy one of them I get an itty bitty commission (which helps pay to keep popupbackpacker.com online).
I paid full retail for my Industrial Lock & Hardware (ILH) locks. I have no relationship with them. If you buy something from them because of this post, I get zero. Nada. Nothing.
My website is about things that work for me, not monetizing the site.
Okay, onward —
Ordering is easy. Just print out their guide, match up your components by laying your lock cylinder and cam lever on the paper and order what you need. The print out is to actual scale. Here’s a link to their website. I got my locks in three days. Also included are instructions.
When Problems Happen
I ordered the wrong size locks. My fault.
I have cataracts and am waiting for surgery next month. I can’t see street signs. I have to hold books close to my face to read. I need a 27″ computer monitor to view the web. My optometrist told me I shouldn’t drive and I would miserably fail a DMV eyesight test. My eyeglasses have become worthless.
My locks were not a common size. They were 1/8″ in between the standard sizes, which is why I mis-measured using the guide. So I called ILH.
The person answering the phone was courteous and helpful. He reviewed the measurements I provided (I had to use a ruler, take a picture, and view it on my 27″ monitor to confirm the measurement), told me to return the locks and he would process a custom order. They charged me $5 shipping for the new locks via USPS priority mail. No restocking fees, no other fees at all.
The new locks were ready in two days. Another two days for the Postal Service get the package to my mailbox. Try that with Amazon!
Installation
Replacing the two existing locks was easy and quick. The other four locks took more work.
First of all, the locks, like all cam locks, are oval shaped. The RV manufacturers use a special Oval Die to cut the holes in exterior doors. I don’t have one, and they cost a lot more than a set of locks.
What I did was drill a 3/4 inch hole for each lock. Without a special pronged washer, the lock body would turn easily without a key. So I bought special 4 prong washers from ILH; one for each lock. When the locks are assembled these pronged washers (on the inside of the door) are secured to the back of the door by pressing the prongs into the door material when tightening the nut that secures the lock to the door.
The 4 prong washers match the lock cylinder. That is, they are oval shaped.
We Now Have 3 Locks on Each Door
One key opens all 6 locks, being the locks are keyed alike. The locks came with 4 keys, so we have 3 spares.
