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!