Community Forums

PartyBoyWA · 04-25-2010, 12:45 PM

My cat likes to stand on the door armrests and unlock my rv while we're eating dinner, sleeping and away taking bike rides and hikes. Maybe he's lonely or figures my wife and I are boring company. But I do have serious concerns about the security of my rv and the safety of my rascally cat.

I have a 2004 Triple E Regency on a Ford E-450 chassis. I imagine that anyone with power locks and a companion with 4 legs has also encountered this issue.

For solutions, I know I could pull the fuse or install a cutout switch for the power locks. But I fear electrical gremlins and don't want to toy with the perfect electrical balance my rv currently has. I'm also not too keen on duct taping over the switches while camping.

So I'm soliciting ideas from all of you. Thanks!
p.s.-Photo of culprit (Manny) attached.

wa8yxm · 04-25-2010, 01:56 PM

Well. if you pull the lock fuse (Which may also affect power windows and/or the cigarette lighter depending on the car believe it or not) you may or may not have a problem.. I will tell you how to figure out if it will cause a problem

With the windows OPEN. or with someone inside the car.. Pull the fuse.

Now attempt to unlock the door with a key.

USUALLY... (I Stress USUALLY) the key first hits an electrical contact to power unlock either one, or all, doors.. Then... If the power lock does not work, it forces the lock to unlock mechanically

I've been very glad of this on several dead battery occassions.

PartyBoyWA · 04-26-2010, 12:54 AM

wa8yxm,

Thanks for the reply, but please remember that the thread is looking for a solution other than pulling the fuse.

CD · 04-26-2010, 07:37 AM

PartyBoyWa
I don't know what your armrests look like but is there something that you could lay on the armrests that would prevent the cat from operating the lock? Maybe even hold on with velcro. That way it could be easily put on and removed.

Route 66 · 04-26-2010, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CD

PartyBoyWa
I don't know what your armrests look like but is there something that you could lay on the armrests that would prevent the cat from operating the lock? Maybe even hold on with velcro. That way it could be easily put on and removed.

That seems like the best option. I like the Velcro idea. Second best, which is not a very a good one is to secure the cat in a cage.

Barbara S. · 04-26-2010, 11:30 AM

My situation was opposite from yours - my dog locked me out of my motorhome! I got out to fill it up with gas and my dog just wanted to watch.

He stepped on the door lock (not power) that was unlocked. The keys were in the ignition and all other doors were locked.

Fortunately a young man at the gas station helped me. We found an unlocked window by the dining table. I pulled the dog out and the young man climbed in and unlocked my door for me. I now always take my keys with me and also have a spare key hidden outside so that can never happen again.