Thinking about changing door locks

[Bremer Speck]

Hello All! I have been lurking on this board for some time, ever since I became the proud new owner of a 2006 Newmar Ventana 3936 this past January.
This board is choke full of great information and I enjoy reading it. I found it particularly funny to read about people replacing their TV's with Flat screens, as I have done the very same thing, too, almost as soon as I bought the coach. I replaced the 2 interior TV with a 32" Samsung upfront and a 26" in the rear. Both do have Internet apps and work great. It is a good thing that I enjoy woodworking since I had to rebuilt the cabinet in the back (see photos here https://picasaweb.google.com/ronald....eat=directlink and fight with the overhead console upfront. I was not smart enough to figure out that the frame of the overhead console was secured by the screws on each side and fought with it for quite some time, trying to pry the TV out of its cavity.
However, this post is about a different project. Namely, changing the door lock.
I am used to using remote lock and unlocking and keyless ignition and am wondering how I could get this for my Ventana.
My inquiry to Newmar was not very fruitful and my midnight googling has not brought force any valuable information, either.
Has anyone done this?
Any and all comments will be greatly appreciated!
Cheers,
Ronald
a/k/a Bremer Speck

[jfran304]

Is this what you are looking for??

RV Lock Keyless Remote for Trailers, 5th Wheel and Campers. Great Christmas Xmas Present!!

Jon

[Bremer Speck]

Thanks, Jon! That is what I had in mind. Duh... RV locks, that is exactly what I Was NOT googling. Live and learn.

[Bremer Speck]

Well, my excitement was short lived. When I went out to the coach just now, I realized that the lock shown on the rv lock web site and which I had recognized straight away, is like the lock on my trailer. The lock assembly on my Newmar coach is probably twice as large. Back to the drawing board. ... :-(

[bcbounders]

Bremer,

You should be able to check, but I think the door on your Ventana is probably like mine - by PTL Engineering. I had contacted them some years back and they were able to give me information about how to determine if my door was upgradable to the keyless entry system. It involved a kit (their part #027-101) that has the actuator to lock/unlock the slide-lock mechanism that is part of the door handle. It would not include locking/unlocking the deadbolt.

I didn't end up going ahead with the project, so I can't give you any guidance past that. But attached are two photos that PTL Engineering had sent that showed the inside edge of a door that can be upgraded (it shows the two metal contact points that provide power in to the mechanism when the door is closed) and one of what an installed power lock mechanism looks like. Hope they help!

Oh... and great job on your LCD TV install!

["007"]

Welcome Ronald to the Newmar forum & irv2.
Nice job on your LCD installation and good luck with the locks.
Some times we make out better with our own designs of all the Mods we may like.
We have a few in the Quick Tips link by members of forum.
Enjoy the forums and do post often with your Mods.

[svdreamer]

There's this style, too. The guy I used to go rving with had this on his 5th wheel. It comes with a remote, too. Keyless Door Lock - Uses Combination for Entry Security - PPL Motor Homes