Storage compartment locks

[Mikeeg]

Well we are back from NJ to Birmingham to North Fla.down to Crystal River then back to Jax Fla. then home. We had a blowout in Old Town Fla. then changed 9 yr. old Goodyears with Simutomo in Jax. they where over due.Trip home Sat. and Sun. was a blowen 35-45 mph winds all the way.I had to hang on to keep it in the lines a bit scary,the bridges where over the top Key Bridge in Baltimore restricted,no empty tractor trailers or house trailers GREAT FUN!!. Well we are home now and very cold.
While emptying and winterizing rear electric and water compartment door lock made a snap and the lock is not opening, I tried to pop it open from the bottom but no luck as there is a steel plate over locking rod. SO HOW DO I BREAK INTO MY OWN COMPARTMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HELP HELP!!!

[GaryKD]

Hi Mike,
The lock assemblies change over time. Consider disassembling a lock from another door. My guess is they are all the same. This will tell you how the components work. From there you might be able to determine how to move the latch on a door that is closed.

[Baby Bear]

Hate to be the beholder of bad news, but, having been through this problem SEVERAL times I can say the only way to get the door open is to grind off the bottom of the bolts holding the closing latch. Getting by the shield plate is fun and the replacement bolt clips can be bought at a good hardware store.
Once you get the door open you can disassemble the latch, you will find there is a small lever that is moved with the handle. Look close at the pivot pin hole. It was drilled too close to the edge and this is where they were breaking on mine. Go to local hardware store and get a piece of aluminum flatstock and make up several using the old one as a template. Make the bottom area a little wider around the pivot point and problem is resolved.

Side story here: We were still under warranty and this is one problem that was getting to me as I had 3 broke. Stopped by Newmar and let Phil see the problem first hand. He gave me 3 latches, which when I went to put into the storage compartment the latch on this door broke. (#4) Newmar replaced that one. This was a manufacturing defect inhearent to this year.

[Mikeeg]

After talking to Newmar Tech and parts guys who said there should be a hole in the curved trim on the bottom of door to reach the bolt on the lock, no hole in my door trim so not possible to pop the bolt up.I did go back out in the cold with a few different types of screwdivers to try again, good luck prying the trim back far enough to pop the bolt out DOOR OPEN a miracle. The temp. and wind is to cold to remove lock to see the damaged part but is open waiting for a warmer day. I did find out from tech. guy that all locks from 2000 thru 2006 have all the same Keys #315 that makes those locks a real high security item**********

[Mikeeg]

I was able to get the compartment open by drilling a 1/2" hole in the backing plate at the bolt then a screwdiver did the job.Called Newmars parts dept. and they are sending me a few of the throw latch that break inside that lock at no cost no question asked.I guess they where a problem from the start. The latch has very little metal where the bolt goes thru which has to give at some point. If it happens to you the drill trick is the way to go, less then 5 min. and I had it open with no damage.

[Mikeeg]

Got parts from Newmar no charge warr.still on that part for 2001. Job took 5 min: and all is well and working. Newmar sent two throw latches so I have and extra for next time. Drill steel plate at bolt and pop it open EZ. NOW I NO!!!