Community Forums

Pogo · 01-19-2011, 06:27 PM

I was talking to an RV tech, who said he has over 30 years experience, about storing some tools and parts in a basement compartment. He said, "Just don't think that they will be secure in the basement compartment." I asked him why he said that. He said that most all RV manufacturers buy the locks from the same source, and that there are only about 8 or 10 different keys for all of those locks out there in the country. So, if you are at an RV campground, there is a good chance that you and a neighbor will have the same basement key.
I sure didn't know that. Have you ever heard of that? I find that very surprising, if it is true.

dajudge · 01-19-2011, 06:38 PM

Yes, Pogo, it it true. I have a friend that has a national rv and I have a Allegro Bay. Guess what? His compartment key opens mine and mine opens his. Y ou would think someone would do something about that.

Mac99 · 01-19-2011, 06:42 PM

Tis true, but most of us are in the same boat, so to speak, and
would not likely steal from each other. In 150+ nights on the road,
never had a problem. A determined thief can open any lock !

Gary RVRoamer · 01-19-2011, 08:06 PM

Most bay doors could be popped open with a can opener anyway. The locks are just to encourage honest people to stay that way.

Thefts from storage bays in campgrounds are rare. Even when somebody steals stuff left outside, they don't seem to bother the bays. I seldom even lock mine when in a campground, but when in storage or a parking lot it's a whole different story.

Wayne M · 01-21-2011, 09:57 AM

Keys are not the problem. Large screw driver, or small crow bar will get you into any storage compartment on any vehicle. It will also get you into any door. Burglars don't discriminate regarding damage or no damage. They just want to get in and get out.

So think of an alarm system and bright lights. It discourages most of them.

mikron · 01-21-2011, 10:45 AM

We have over 14 years of camping and have loss O. Not to say it can't happen even at the best of CG's. We don't have anything in the basement that we would care about if stolen. I would be mad to think someone took MY junk.

bldrbob · 01-21-2011, 10:46 AM

When I can walk into any rv dealership and buy an off the shelf key to fit my compartments I only lock them to keep honest people honest.
BOB

Parkerrs · 01-21-2011, 01:22 PM

I very seldom lock my storage compartments anyway. As stated above, if they want it they will get it. I'd rather just be out my stuff than out my stuff with a torn up compartment door. A crowbar can do nasty things to one of those doors.

Never had anything stolen, but I have left a few pressure regulators behind getting in a hurry, LOL.

Pghwizard · 01-21-2011, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

Most bay doors could be popped open with a can opener anyway. The locks are just to encourage honest people to stay that way.

Thefts from storage bays in campgrounds are rare. Even when somebody steals stuff left outside, they don't seem to bother the bays. I seldom even lock mine when in a campground, but when in storage or a parking lot it's a whole different story.

I agree, they are child's play to open...... Some of the best folks in the world are fellow campers...

Always-RVing · 01-21-2011, 01:49 PM

My front door bottom lock key fits the basement locks. The front door bottom lock is the same that all dealers have a master key.

Triker56 · 01-21-2011, 05:44 PM

In over 11 years of full time. Mine have only been locked one time.
MH was at a body shop for 10 days that time and I was at a Motel.

I only carry one key with me. And that is for the entrance door dead lock.
It would be a pain to have to go inside and find a key every time I want something out of a compartment.

I see that all the time at campgrounds. Someone goes to open a compartment and then realizes he has to go and get a key.

Vegasdan · 01-21-2011, 06:36 PM

I usually sleep in my storage bay with my 1911 .45.

Just kidding..maybe.

Dadeaux · 01-21-2011, 07:10 PM

Many bottom-lock bays can be opened when locked by reaching underneath and pushing the latch up with your finger.

As they say only for the honest.

Pogo · 01-22-2011, 01:13 PM

I agree with all of you that RV people are some of the best people on earth. And, the locks are not all that good, anyway. And, I noticed that some of the A/C service trucks have the same locks for their service bin doors. I certainly won't lose any sleep about the locks. I am always learning more and more from this forum, because my wife and I are kinda new to the RV lifestyle. She said she relies on me for this kind of stuff.