Key In On This
Think back for a moment to all the Western movies you have seen depicting some drunken horse-thieving cowboy being arrested and locked up by the town sheriff. Do you remember the ring of 2 or 3 jail sell keys he used? Well, it is likely that the same 2 to 3 keys fit every jail cell in the West because locks were too complicated back then. So why didn’t the bad guys ever steal the key ring when they busted someone out?
Keys back then were not all that complicated, and neither are those used in today’s RVs.
If I told a new car buyer that there were only 14-36 different key combinations for a new vehicle they were looking at, wouldn’t they be appalled with fears of auto theft?
Today’s RVs, whether a $49,000 travel trailer or a $500,000 luxury motorcoach, have keys in their possession that either match every other RV or maybe 1 in 30 or 1 in 1000. Only a handful of key variations are used by each manufacturer and made by just a few lock/key suppliers.
Recently, I worked at Gerzeny’s RV World in Florida, where each salesman had a set of keys to unlock any RV on the lot and show them to customers. The travel trailer and fifth wheel inventory spanned at least 10-12 brands. Ironically, I could open all of the inventory with three master keys from the different manufacturers. Oddly, as loosey-goosey as the RV industry is, I do not imagine it would be hard to acquire a master key or a full set of all key variations over the Internet.
My favorite key story pertains to outside bay/storage doors, which nearly all use a standard metal one-sided key. The exact same type also opens the Macerator door locks, outside shower door locks, TV cabinets, and storage areas. The famous CH751 key is the focal point here, and it has applications far outside the RV industry.
The CH751 key is found on:
RV compartments, camper hatch doors, and RV door hatches
Storage cabinets and storage lockers
Trailers: CH751 keys can be used for trailers and pop-ups
Controller covers and sprinkler controller covers
Housekeeping carts
Shed doors
Trash and laundry chutes
Tool cribs in Ford cargo vans
Pickup shells/Bed covers
Side boxes for pickup trucks
Display cases
T-handles
Scissor lifts in replacement panel keys for some scissor lifts
This CH751 is accompanied by my CH507 key, which secures my outdoor flat-screen TV.
Anyone can order these on Amazon by the key number in quantity! Travel trailer and fifth wheel door locks are significantly insecure and should be replaced as soon as possible after purchase with a keypad lock with remotes to avoid keys.
The outside cabinet door locks should be switched to barrel locks, which have round keys and are unmarked. These locks are much harder to pick and significantly more secure.
Here are some options:
- ONNAIS RV Door Lock Replacement with Password and Remote Control, RV Keyless Entry: https://amzn.to/3zdLD5N
- RVLock V4 Key Fob and Keyless Entry Keypad: https://amzn.to/3zbgC2y
- RV Designer T507 Motorhome Entrance Door Lock with Built-in Deadbolt: https://amzn.to/3AX3Vsx
- RV Locks for Storage Door 1 1/8 INCH: https://amzn.to/3TpjoYH
- Cam Lock RV Storage Locks Keyed Alike, 1-1/8″ Fits on 7/8″: https://amzn.to/4efFyor
I truly do not understand the mentality of this lock decision when RVs are built unless it just comes down to the all-mighty dollar. The base locks installed are $26 each, versus a combo lock with remotes between $130 and $180.
As I have mentioned before on social media, crime within RV parks is ON THE RISE because there are more folks living there as a primary residence, and times are tight. The “Have Nots” are looking to Have!
Related to entry doors on Class B vans, those do not deviate from the same standard as automotive keys, and duplicates are much more difficult to come across. However, Class C RVs have a combination of both standard automotive locks on the cab and cheap travel trailer locks on the house. This presents the same security risk.
The exceptions are found in some Class A RV models. Low-end gas RVs have the same travel trailer/Class C entry door locks; however, the Class A diesel pushers have a more rigid locking system typically made by TriMark. TriMark also produces electronic keypads to unlock the service lock. That is the good news, but don’t get too happy yet.
TriMark manufactures many of these high-end motorcoach locks, and they claim to have about 1,000 unique key cut combinations available. Let us remember the word “available” here. TriMark is one of the most common key manufacturers, and their locks have a code stamped on the inside front of their lock mechanisms for locating replacement keys. As the owner of a diesel pusher RV with TriMark locks, I have already proven that within 13 motorcoaches parked together, a duplicate was found among them. It’s not so good, but all you can do is lock both the deadbolt and service latch to force an intruder to have both keys to get in.
It is said that there are many different types of RV keys available, including Global Link Keys, FIC Keys, Bauer RV Keys, Kencon Baggage Door keys, and Southco Baggage/Compartment door keys. But the best security is keeping “eyes on” your RV at all times so that someone does not inadvertently begin checking their keys on it.
You usually keep a large amount of personal gear inside your RV that may not fully be covered with weekend camping insurance. So, I suggest being safe rather than sorry and beefing up your security. An on-board safe for critical items is highly recommended.
Look to a local locksmith for a customized lock approach before someone else acquires a replacement key that fits your RV or baggage compartment and ruins your day.
Jacks Up!…. see you down the road.