Two Doors and Different Keys?????

[SteveC7010]

My '99 T-2453 is one of the models that has two entry doors. The doors are identical in all respects EXCEPT that the door locks are keyed differently.

It's more than a bit frustrating to have to carry two keys instead of one, and then have to try both of them to get a door locked or unlocked.

The keys are marked "Tri/Mark" and have the lock numbers stamped on them.

Anybody got any suggestions about how to fix this without spending the full shot for a new door latch and lock mechanism?

 

[JohnGB]

Steve

I share your frustration....

I added one of those colored rubber key head liners on the main entry door and left the bedroom door the standard black.

After doing the key shuffle a few times, something had to change....

If you can't figure out what I mean, I'll pop a pic for you and post.


Good luck

John

 

[Sunline Fan]

Hi Steve,

It is true, most Sunline's had different keys for the doors. My 2363 had different, yet the 2653 (bought new) had the same key. I really wanted to get a dealer key so that I could use the same key for both doors, but I don't think they are available anywhere. That would have been especially helpful when I had both '94's at the same time.

The one simple solution I have is to memorize the key numbers (TM###). My 2363 had the TM158 for the front door and the TM153 for the rear (bedroom) door. I also carried a small keychain flashlight on my keys to see the numbers at night.

Jon

 

[ROC-REQS]

Hi Steve,

I did the same thing that John did. That is I put a rubber key head cover on one of them. It at least helps me tell them apart. But it doesn't always keep me from using the wrong key in the door.

Hutch

 

[MACK C-85]

Last Friday I spent the whole day removing the door lock (after gaining entry through the bunks emergency hatch), finding a locksmith to replace a bent tumbler, and remounting the latch. Why? Our T-276 keys are so close that the back door key will actually operate the deadbolt latch on the front door, but only in one direction!!!!!! The only way to open the door was to remove the inside cover and use a pair of pliers to forceably turn the deadbolt because once the key is turned it won't come out and it couldn't be turned back. The only way to remove the tumbler is through the key slot. The good news was the locksmith only charged me $15 to repair it. You can bet I will never forget what key numbers go where, and as soon as I can find a color coded cover to fit...........Oh did I mention we were leaving that night for a trip and mdfiregal wanted my head on a plate!!!!

 

[SteveC7010]

Hi Steve,

It is true, most Sunline's had different keys for the doors. My 2363 had different, yet the 2653 (bought new) had the same key. I really wanted to get a dealer key so that I could use the same key for both doors, but I don't think they are available anywhere. That would have been especially helpful when I had both '94's at the same time.

Yeah, I remember the dealer saying something about a "dealer key", but can't remember the details.

Anybody know about that?

 

[nasa42a1]

Steve.....

My Sunline dealer has always told me not to bother leaving the door key with him, BUT NOT TO LOCK THE DOOR DEADBOLT LOCK. His dealer key will open the upper lock...but not the deadbolt.

Frank

 

[Sunline Fan]

Frank,

Thanks for noting that. The dealer key will work only the top lock, not the deadbolt. I just forgot to mention it.

Jon

 

[rich250]

our 267 has two doors,entrance door and garage door ,I put a notch on the edge of the entrance door key that way even in the dark I know the correct key.

 

[emam]

Cindy painted one with Red nail polish and we both know that one is for the bedroom door. You can see it in the dark, but I think I'm going to put the notch in it like Rich did so I can just feel it with my hand and not even have to worry about looking at it.

 

[MACK C-85]

Just pulled the razor knife out of the desk drawer and notched the main door key. Great Idea.....beats the out of having to crawl through the bunk hatch!!!!!

 

[Sunline Fan]

The keys that Steve would have on his '99 are probably the old metal square type, not the round plastic type. They can still be notched, but not as easily. The only other Sunline I've had with two doors (the 2653 had matching keys) is the 2363, and the keys were different but already notched. I just figured the factory did this. Now I know it must have been the previous owner.

Jon

 

[SteveC7010]

The keys that Steve would have on his '99 are probably the old metal square type, not the round plastic type. They can still be notched, but not as easily. The only other Sunline I've had with two doors (the 2653 had matching keys) is the 2363, and the keys were different but already notched. I just figured the factory did this. Now I know it must have been the previous owner.

Jon,

My '99 has the brass keys with the round rubber or plastic housings. I think '99 was the first year of the rounded windows and doors, and when Sunline went to that supplier of doors, they came with the new style locks, latches, and keys.

To my knowledge, that door is still pretty much the industry standard, virtually unchanged from '99. Last winter, we went to the huge RV show at the New York State Fairgrounds. There were probably 2,000 RV's on display there, and most of the TT's and 5'ers have that same door assembly. I looked several of them over very closely, and they are the identical door and latch assembly as on my '99.

Guess the industry found a good thing and is sticking with it.

 

[Sunline Fan]

Steve,

You are correct, '99 was the first year of the radius entry doors. I didn't realize the keys changed with that style change. I don't think it was a matter of the door manufacturers changing, I think the same manufacturer just changed the door model. I know the lockset has been made by Tri-Mark all along, so they just happened to change their keys at the same time.

Jon

 

[poppyandnana]

So how hard would it be to change the lock so they are both keyed the same?

Right now - we don't even use the bedroom door as an entrance way! Can't even think of when camping, we ever had it open!

 

[Sunline Fan]

Kathy,

Changing out the lockset is not hard at all. Here's some pic of the door to my room (complete with '96-'99 striping and screen door). It may not be exact to what Sunline used on the TT's, but the lockset is the same. Basically, six screws remove the whole thing. The hardest part of the whole job would be to find two matched key locksets.

Jon

P.S If anyone is interested in how to install an RV door inside a house, let me know.

 

[SteveC7010]

So how hard would it be to change the lock so they are both keyed the same?!

The lock portions of the door latch (there are two of them; a dead bolt and a latch lock) are press fit and riveted in place so they are an integral part of the assembly. Changing the locks is a bear (if possible at all), but swapping out the entire lock/latch assembly is quite easy.

The problem is finding one that is keyed the same as one of the ones I already have.

I've thought about just ordering one from the dealer to match one of the two locksets that are on my trailer, but haven't quite justified that expense to myself yet.

 

[MACK C-85]

You may want to check with a local locksmith about changing out the tumbler set. When I bent the tumbler in mine the locksmith was able to pop the whole tumbler set out of the lock very easily, so they may be able to change them out to give you like keyed ones. Don't know if it's possible, but it did seem like he removed it very easily, so it shouldn't be hard to swap them.

 

[poppyandnana]

Unfortunately a "local locksmith" to us would be an hour away in the big city (Utica, NY)....like I said prior, we have not used the door and we'll see how often we do before we swap out the door locks.....thank everyone for the info.

 

[Makers Mark]

Jon you are too much having an RV door to you room. You are the "Ultimate Sunline Fan".

I wish you had posted this before the auction. We could have bid on a big lot of doors and traveled around the country installing them in RV'ers homes. We could have made big bucks. :!:

On second thought, I think the DW would prepare the rubber room for me if I told her this idea.

MM