Entry door will not open. Can't get inside

Pogo · 01-10-2011, 01:31 PM

I sure hope someone has a solution. On our '04 HR Neptune 36PDQ, the entry door won't open. It had worked fine until this happened. I had just gotten out and closed the door less than a minute earlier, and I did not lock it. The windows are all locked and I cannot get in. It's lucky that we are home in central Florida, instead of at a fuel island, etc. I have not told my wife yet, because she would be upset.
Apparently, something broke inside the door. I have tried using 2 flat bars, (at side and bottom), to apply pressure as I pulled the latch, but the door won't move. I worked both locks back and forth, but that did not help. Does anyone have an idea on how I could get inside or get the door open? What would you do? (break a window?) Can an RV repair company do anything to get the door open? Can the entire door assembly be removed from the outside?

38 Special · 01-10-2011, 01:51 PM

I have not tried this, I saved it off another forum.

Locked Coach Access

Here is a way you can take some proactive action so that you can easily get into the coach in case the keys are lost or the door latch fails.

1. Drill a hole in the front passenger side window aluminum frame. The hole lines up with the inside latch. I drilled a hole just large enough to allow a small ice pick to go through the hole. There are two layers of aluminum to drill through. I drilled from the inside at a slight downward angle to get the location right. Be very careful to just miss the glass.

2. The ice pick or other tool will go through the hole and contact the latch. A slight tap on the tool will release the latch so the window and screen can be raised from the outside. Keep the ice pick in an outside compartment.

3. The next action is to climb through the window. Not sure everyone could get their body through this window, but surely there would be a slightly smaller person around to help if necessary. In some cases you might be able to just reach through the window and release the dead bolt latch if that is all that is needed.

4. When all this is done, put a little black sealer on the outside hole to prevent leakage and to somewhat camouflage the hole.

5. This same method could also be used on a larger sliding window should you wish.

6. I am sure some will say that any thief could get in this same way but I will take my chances that they are not that smart and they will just break a window or pry a window open breaking the latch.

38 Special · 01-10-2011, 02:00 PM

I had the latch fail on my 2002 Diplomat. I could get to all holes to remove the access panel except two that were blocked by the clear sliding cover. I drilled two small holes in the cover so I could unscrew the cover and remove it. Once inside the door, I could draw back the dead bolt and open the door. Now it was easier to work on.

I called Good Sam ERS and told them I was not locked IN the motorhome. they said that was not covered. I asked them, "What to I need to do, climb out the window and call you back and tell you I am locked OUT." They were not amused.

Pogo · 01-10-2011, 03:51 PM

Thanks, 38Special. I plan to drill the hole in the window frame tomorrow and I am hoping that this will work to get a window open, since apparently someone else has done it. (I hope that I don't hit the glass.) I love this forum. It seems like there are so many smart, resourceful and kind people here. Y'all are great. I sure have learned a lot here. This is our first RV.

TXiceman · 01-10-2011, 04:59 PM

If you have GS ERS, call them and they will send a locksmith to get you in.

ken

Jim Stewart · 01-10-2011, 05:04 PM

Is it the deadbolt or other lock? It may be cheaper and safer to drill out the lock and then just replace it.

**RickO** · 01-10-2011, 05:21 PM

Locksmith gets my vote.

Rick

Pogo · 01-10-2011, 05:55 PM

It is NOT any lock problem. The door is NOT locked. I think that probably something inside the door such as the linkage between the black latch handle and the door latch has broken, etc. I don't see how any locksmith can do anything to get in. What could a locksmith possibly do?
The inside of the door is similar to an auto, not like a house.

Snowman 1 · 01-10-2011, 08:59 PM

I know this isn't going to help you now but thought I'd share our entry door issue with you. During our last annual pilgrimage to the Monaco center in Coburg we had the service techs adjust the internal linkage for the door latch. Ours gradually got to the point where it would only engage during the last 1/4'' of latch travel. I was afraid eventually we would not get the door to open at all. I'm betting this is your issue.

It's fairly involved to get at these mechanisms inside the door as you can imagine. The whole door had to be opened up to get at them. But now the latch engages smoothly and immediately, as they also lubed everything. We had them adjust all the compartment latches while it was there.

Once you figure out how to get into the coach, Monaco Tech Support can probably tell you how to adjust the latch mechanism. Good luck.

**JohnRR** · 01-11-2011, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pogo

It is NOT any lock problem. The door is NOT locked. I don't see how any locksmith can do anything to get in.

I've unlocked well over 1000 cars/trucks/RVs in the past 30 years each a little different than the others yet all basically the same. I can't tell you how without being there but tow truck/unlock services would be the first suggestion.

The inside of the door is similar to an auto, not like a house.

Exactly when car doors are unlocked they are done using the mechanical linkages inside the door very rare that a lock would be "picked".

Try it what do you have to lose?

hardy1000 · 01-11-2011, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickO

Locksmith gets my vote.

Rick

Ditto on the locksmith

Pogo · 01-11-2011, 11:10 AM

OK, I will call Good Sams, since I have ERS and ask for a locksmith. Thanks for the advise of several of you. I will let you know what happens.

38 Special · 01-11-2011, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pogo

OK, I will call Good Sams, since I have ERS and ask for a locksmith. Thanks for the advise of several of you. I will let you know what happens.

I would not try to diagnose it with them, or tell then you think the lock is broken. Just tell them you are locked out. Then talk to the locksmith upon arrival.