Do you know what CH751 means? It’s a number stamped on your RV storage door lock key. And it’s the same number stamped on almost every RV storage door lock key. Go ahead. Take a look right now. From the factory, most RVs use the same key and lock combination for all the external storage doors. This means you can wait until your camping neighbor leaves the campground for the day and then you can go check out his “stuff” with your key. All kidding aside, to improve your RV security, you should change out those locks or have them re-keyed. This goes for your RV entrance doors as well. RV dealers have a master key that fits these locks too!Who knows why RV manufacturers use the same key/lock combo. Probably because it’s cheaper and less of a hassle to keep track of unique keys. Maybe they think that the general trust and helpfulness among fellow RVers means no happy camper would ever steal another’s stuff. But it’s not the happy camper who rips off a camper’s things. It’s the thief who thinks he likes your stuff better than you. But you can help deter most thieves by ensuring your locks are unique. And replacing the storage and entrance door locks is very easy to do.
For the storage doors, you have a few options. You can have the lock re-keyed or you can opt for a combi-lock. The combi-lock is a cam type lock just like the factory storage locks except it uses a combination instead of a key. The combination can be set to something unique to you, making it easy to remember but difficult for a thief to guess. And you don’t have to carry extra keys around with you.
For your RVs entrance doors, your options are to have the locks re-keyed, or replace the entire latch/lock assembly with a new one. There are several different types and styles to choose from as well. Removing the latch assembly from the door is straightforward. Just remove 2 screws from the striker and 4 screws from the inside portion of the latch. Some latch assemblies will vary but this is the general approach. The latch will practically fall out so hold on to it when removing the last screw.
Take the latch assembly to a locksmith and have him rekey BOTH locks, the deadbolt and the “normal” lock. This will ensure your locks are totally unique and no one but you has the keys to your baby. Other areas to address are the windows and tongue latch (if you have a towable). There are products available to assist in these areas as well.
You might not be able to stop the most tenacious of thieves, but hopefully not having the CH751 locks will slow down the culprit enough that he will move on.
Have you done this mod? Please let us know what you did and how you did it. And for more information and pictures of replacing your RV storage and entrance door locks, wander on over to ModMyRV.com and have a look at this article:
Happy modding!
RayInAZ
CH751 is the “common lock system” shipped with many (actually most) RVs of all types for years. These locks help RV dealers enter/exit storage areas. The idea is that the RV dealer will replace the common locks when the RV is sold, few do. So if you have a key stamped CH751 – I and a few thousand other RVs can open your storage area; if you are cool with that fine – I wasn’t and installed new locks. As stated the locks are easy to by-pass and in someone really wants to get into your storage area and they have a big enough tool; they will get in. On the other hand a 12 year old with his parents keys isn’t going to open my doors.
Francis Schilling
Thanks for the reply, Mark. I searched before posting my comment and it certainly appears that cheap (I use the word both literally and figuratively) locks are all that are available for RV windows (at least the ones on my Dutchmen). I thought maybe you had some “secret sauce” in mind when you made the admonishment regarding the windows. Thanks!
Mark Corgan
@Francis: A quick search came up with this:
http://www.technologylk.com/catalog/1906/CRL-RV-Sliding-Window-Latch/
Hope that helps!
Mark Corgan
Sorry Larry. As much as I like to tell stories around the campfire, what I wrote is indeed true. Please read what I wrote:
“And it’s the same number stamped on almost every RV storage door lock key.”
Notice I said “almost” and “storage”. That doesn’t mean all RVs and it most certainly doesn’t mean that I said the same key is used for your storage, engine, and gas doors. It means storage doors.
I too have 3 keys for my TT: one for my main entrance door, one for my bunkhouse door, and one for my storage door locks. This article refers to the very common CH751 storage door lock/key combination.
Last year, before I did this mod, I forgot my TT keys and when we arrived at the campground, I couldn’t open any of my storage doors. I went over to a random camping neighbor with a 5th wheel, explained my situation, and asked to borrow his CH751 key. He didn’t realize they were the same keys used on many RVs. Suffice to say, I was able to open my storage doors with his key.
And I really do enjoy telling THAT story around the campfire!
Larry
I believe the author used campfire information. As this blog often does. That being that almost all RV’s are keyed alike. This is not true. There are several different keys used on RV’s. But not many. Less than 10 last time I checked.
I checked this winter and the key to my storage doors would not open the storage doors on the RV’s parked next to me. My RV has three different keys. Storage doors, engine compartment, gas door. All the same blank.
The problem with re-keying is that the new lock is just as easy to get into as the old one.
The only cheap upgrade would be to locks with a combination. Even a three combination lock has 999 combinations.
Larry
Francis Schilling
As a newbie, it certainly does help to have this info – especially since I carry my $1K Honda 200i in my main storage compartment. Also, you mentioned windows … My rig has those little wing-type flip latches on the side sliding windows and one is extremely loose and ineffective. Do you know of any commercial upgrade/replacements for those? Thanks again for the great article!
FX
GlenO
I changed all my storage locks out and got the camlock security type from Industrial Lock & Hardware. Well worth the thought of having some sense of security.
Website: http://www.iss4locks.com/camtub.htm
Nancy Sleeper
Confused about something……when I am plugged into shore power, the converter in my unit is charging my chassis battery………right??
Now, how can I tell if it is “over-charging”??
If I am plugged in for a few days, should I turn off the “main battery” for the entire unit??
Thank you.