Ford did it before I could!

[JazzZen]

I'm pretty sure I read a thread somewhere (can't find it for the life of me!) on irv2 regarding deadbolts in motorhomes getting bound up on moving days and locking folks in. It concerned me enough that I stopped locking the deadbolt on moving days and was pursuing another way to lock securely while moving. Welllll, I took my Newmar in to a Ford dealer for a 30,000 mile service and they got locked in while road testing! I'm SO glad it happened to them and not me! I'm dealing with the repair, but I just had to tell you all about it - and thank you for keeping me informed. I would have been quite frustrated with Ford if I hadn't had advanced warning that this could happen. As it was, all I could do was laugh! And I still smile about it every time I think about it! Some things are just too priceless!

[deadeye916]

I don't understand. Is this a Newmar thing? I've never heard of this before, and I'm trying to figure out how I could get locked in my coach by the deadbolt lock.

[JazzZen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by deadeye916 I don't understand. Is this a Newmar thing? I've never heard of this before, and I'm trying to figure out how I could get locked in my coach by the deadbolt lock.

There is a thread somewhere - and I've looked again, but I can't find it. Apparently, if you use the deadbolt while traveling, it can become bound and not turn when you stop. I had no idea until I read the thread, but it made sense once I thought about it - all the torquing and twisting that a motor home goes through on the road. It reminded me of how the pins on my tow bar sometimes bind up and I have to kind of release the pressure before the pin will come out. At any rate, many folks reported having it happen and having to remove the whole door lock assembly to get out. I'm pretty sure it's not exclusive to any manufacturer - maybe less likely with some. I really have no idea. I suspect it's not all that common, but it does happen - as the technicians at the Ford dealer can attest to!
Anybody else more informed about this than I am?

[FlyGuys]

had the same thing happen to us but not from the same cause. apparently something broke internally (maybe the pins you refer to?) and, while we could turn the deadbolt knob, nothing moved internally.

thankfully, we have the driver's door option.

[DSouthw524]

If you are talking about the normal enterance door on a class A then the manufacturer supplies it. The chasis manufacturer usually does not provide access doors except for Class C/B units.

[Clifftall]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSouthw524 If you are talking about the normal enterance door on a class A then the manufacturer supplies it. The chasis manufacturer usually does not provide access doors except for Class C/B units.

I agree. Leave Ford out of this.

Clif

[MuckSavage]

Yep, nothing to do with Ford...... I've had that problem happen in my Class C. I had to climp out the passenger side cab door. I kept a liberal slather of vaseline on the deadbolt & it remained fine.