Traveling in an RV and having a good time on the road with your family can be an exhilarating experience. You get to camp under the stars, enjoy countless barbeque meals, and witness nature in all its glory.
But even during fun activities, you should never forget about your family’s safety and security. That is why you need to invest in a good door lock for your RV, preferably one that shuts the door tight from the inside.
A lock that can secure the door from the inside prevents an intruder from messing with your stuff. Perhaps, it won’t be too effective, if someone is determined. But the lock would hold the intruder long enough to discourage them.
Today we will talk about RV locks and how you can improve your RV’s security. So, without further ado, let’s start immediately.
Why Do You Need RV Locks?
An RV lock secures the doors of the vehicle to prevent any intruders from breaking in into the RV. But it also keeps children from opening the door and going out in the open without supervision. You need the locks to be positioned in a place where young children can’t reach them. But you also want the locks to be made of high-quality material so that any intruder isn’t able to enter the RV with ease.
Sometimes, the wind can also play a part as most RV locks aren’t very solid. A gust of heavy wind can break the latch and swing the door open. Therefore, you must ensure every access door in the RV has a good quality lock.
Types of RV Locks
There are two main types of locks you can find in modern RVs. The conventional type is the most common, but we have recently seen an increase in digital locks.
Which one is better for you? Read on and find out which one suits you best.
Moreover, mechanical RV door locks open and close with the help of a key. What happens when you lose the key? There is no easy way to enter the RV after that! You either have to break in or call the locksmith. Both options are inconvenient. Plus, you can’t even lock from the inside with a mechanical lock.
So, what do you do? You invest in technology and see your life become easier.
Moreover, these locks come with fob keys, so you can also remotely lock and unlock the RV as you would with a car. This is a great feature, considering you want to lock the RV from the inside. Any other system doesn’t allow you to do that!
Advanced RV Security
Some companies also offer a comprehensive RV security system that comes with locks, cameras, and motion detectors. If any person tries to enter or leave the RV, you get notified on your phone via an alert. As a result, you can sound the alarm or remotely lock the doors from your location.
These features are helpful if you want to keep intruders outside the RV and the kids inside.
How to Lock RV Door from the Inside?
So, after learning about why you need locks and the types of locks available in the market, we can better answer this question.
The best way to lock your RV from the inside is by using a keyless RV door lock. You can operate it using a key fob and lock/unlock the door with the press of a button. It is highly convenient and a bit on the pricey side. However, it is better to spend some extra money for added security.
The standard door is usually flimsy and not good at trapping heat. You need a good quality RV door that has enough space for you to install a good keyless lock and one that acts as a good insulator.
Once that is sorted, you need to look at the door lock. Is it made of plastic or metal? The plastic material is prone to breaking, and it can give you trouble in cold climates. So, it is your best bet to give with a metal keyless lock.
Nowadays, many aftermarket RV doors come with a pre-installed keyless entry lock. That’s even better since you don’t have to jerry-rig the new lock onto the door frame.
How to Unlock Your Camper Door without a Key
The door on your RV is locked, you don’t have the key because you lost it, and now you don’t know what to do. There is no point in worrying, especially if you have a CH751 key for your RV. Many RVs have the same lock and key so you can ask someone around you with an RV to open the lock for you.
However, if you have a keyless lock, then there could be a problem. In that case, you use other options.
However, you can improve your chances by opting for roadside assistance. Some insurance companies offer mobile locksmith services along with roadside assistance for RVs. They understand how important assistance is for RVs, which is why you can call them anytime and anywhere.
Well, the first thing you should do in such a situation is to take a deep breath and calm yourself. You can’t solve the issue if you are angry at an inanimate object. Once you are composed, you can try again, and maybe that would work.
If you have a Global lock, then there is a trick to open it easily. These locks have a flawed design, which jams the door and stops it from opening. What you have to do is slide a small lip-like lever on the left of the door. When you press on the left side, the lock opens and you can turn the handle to go inside your RV.
As a precaution, you should also spray a little bit of WD-40 to get rid of any corrosion or friction.
You will need some oil and WD-40. Use them abundantly in all the nooks & crannies, and you will never have an issue.
Moreover, if you have a digitized lock, then you must have a separate key in case of emergencies. When the digital system fails, you can use the emergency key to unlock the bolt and get yourself inside the RV. The best keyless entry lock that has such a feature would cost a couple of hundred dollars or perhaps more. But at the end of the day, the price you pay is nothing as you get full-proof security in return. That’s about all the advice you need to keep the door locked from the inside and open it when it gets jammed. All that’s left for you is to enjoy your summer holidays with your family in your RV.
FAQ
How to Child Proof Your RV Door?
If you have young children, it is important to childproof your RV door to prevent them from accidentally getting outside. One way to do this is to install a door knob cover. This will make it difficult for small children to turn the knob and open the door. Another option is to get a door guard that fits over the outside of the handle. This will prevent children from reaching the handle and opening the door.
It is also a good idea to keep your RV keys out of reach of children. If they are able to get ahold of your keys, they may be able to unlock the door and wander off. A good place to keep your keys is in a lock box that is mounted out of reach.
Citations
https://www.rvforum.net/threads/inside-lock.135183/
https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/29137136/print/true.cfm
https://www.irv2.com/forums/f101/must-slam-entry-door-closed-to-lock-476200.html
Ever since I was a kid, I've been fascinated by travel. I inherited this passion from my parents. Since my college years and to this day, I have had a passion for traveling in a motorhome. I am here to share my experiences with you.
