Should You Upgrade Your RV Door Locks?
Most people would be surprised to learn that factory RV door locks are keyed the same. The universal lock can be opened with a CH751 key. This means your keys might be able to open someone else’s RV and vice versa.
Storage areas are the same. This could be great if you get locked out or lose your keys, but also could cause issues with security.
Supposedly, the locks were made this way to help salesmen. They could carry one master key for a number of different RVs. True or not, it does affect how you view the locks on your own RV door.
So, the answer to the question is a definite yes. You can upgrade your RV door locks. Should you do the upgrade? I would voice a yes on that too. We upgraded just a few months ago and the keyless entry seemed the best way for us. We can head to the beach, go for a bike ride or a walk, and not worry about having anything to carry other than ourselves, our dog and maybe a poop bag in each pocket.
How you choose your new door lock has a lot to do with the specifications of your door for your type of rig. Make sure you do some research before you order.
Types of RV door locks
Certainly, the easiest answer to securing your RV is to just rekey the lock. If you just want an upgraded RV door lock with keys, a traditional door lock, much like the one you are replacing, it is relatively inexpensive and easy to install.
An electric combination lock is likely the most popular choice of RV lock upgrades and the one that my husband and I chose for our RV. These locks provide advanced security and most of them use AA batteries. They are easy to install and are operated by a touchscreen or buttons. Many also have a light-up system that is extremely useful after dark.
They are also very easy to install. I think it took my husband a half-hour with little frustration in getting it to work. Our electric lock also comes with a key, so if the battery dies you can still open the door.
“What could be better than when you come back to your trailer and it is pouring rain, to just push the key fob and be able to run right into your tailer. It is so nice to be able to walk out of my trailer, lock it, and have the keypad to enter not having to worry where your keys are or if at the pool or river not have to even carry any keys. Install was simple enough and took less than 30 minutes. Programming a new code took a bit. I punched it in but never got the confirmation code beep, but come to find out the code was accepted. So my advice is to check once you put the code in to check it instead of re-programming it again, Now I just have to save up so I can buy the cargo lock. This is a must-have for me and I love this lock.” – Amazon reviewer Peter
RV door lock brands
RV door lock brands can run the gamut in price. My suggestion is to make sure you have the best lock to secure your home and valuables. RV door locks can be purchased from Lowes, Home Depot, RV dealers, Amazon, and many other places. Brands include:
How do I open my camper door if I get locked out of my RV?
- Call a locksmith. They can usually get your door open in a matter of minutes, depending on the complexity of the lock.
- Contact the maker of your lock. If getting the door open isn’t an emergency, your lock manufacturer can ship a spare key or provide an unlock code.
- Visit your RV dealer. Most have master keys and can help you get the door open.
How to install an RV door lock
Installing your new lock should be easy, depending on what you purchase. You can always have a reputable RV dealer do the installation.
- Remove the current lock.
- Set the door in an open position.
- Double-check that the cutout space on your door matches the size of the lock to be installed.
- Insert the front assembly of the lock, making sure the deadbolt and levers fit properly on the side of the door cutout.
- Attach the connections of the back assembly.
- Place the back assembly and screw it in.
- Program the lock per the instructions.
Youtube channel RV Project shared how to install a keyless RV lock in this video:
As with any RV upgrades, it’s always a good idea to do your own research to find what type and brand are best for you. To learn more about RV door locks, check out our previous article here.
Terri and her husband, Todd, are full time RVers and work campers. They have been living full time in their RV for nearly two years with their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Newton, and currently reside in South Texas on the Gulf Coast. They hope to head west for the summer season. Writing is Terri’s passion but she also loves hiking, kayaking and anything she can do outside.
So are you saying the key I use in my deadbolt lock is very common and the same as most other deadbolt locks?
These combination locks are not only insecure from being so alike, they are horribly flimsy. I had a lock like this on my old teardrop trailer… probably keyed alike a lot and the deadbolt is laughable. This lock is not robust, like the lock on a vehicle door and most people won’t spend money on this.
The lock on a car door is much more secure.
Does the electronic lock lock the door lock and the dead bolt?
it locks the deadbolt only
The down side to a combination door lock is that eventually the numbers button gets worn or discolored. I use the combination lock and had to change the lock because of worn buttons.
One aspect to consider aside from replacing door lock, would be to install a stainless plate on the exterior of entry door, this would reinforce the door and lock mechanism. You would need about a eight inch square with cutout for lock to pass thru, and you would glue stainless plate to door using construction adhesive!
Having been an RV’r for many years and a factory dealer for several brands, I know for a fact that the door locks on all RVs are not able to be opened with the same key.
Yes there are master keys for dealers and sales people. They have those because the locks are different.
The fact is that it really does not matter the make or the style of lock that you have on your entry door. The doors and door frames on 90% of travel trailers and midrange motorhomes are so flimsy that it takes barely a split second with a very thin prybar to pop the door open.
The old adage that “locks only keep your friends out” is so true in this case.
Yes, the 751 key does open “compartment” doors on 95% of all manufacturers units.
In all my years of camping (seasonal and over the winter down south), I cannot remember one case where someone has complained that a fellow RV’r has gone into their storage compartments and removed anything.
Your comments only serve to confuse non, new or low experienced RVrs that are out there.
Marcel Goulet
Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Only one key on the door lock is the same for sales man the deadbolt lock is different on every rv the 751 key is for the compartment doors so dont be mislead about you security just lock the dead bolt and dont worry no one has a key for that lock
Ch751 is not used for the entry door. But yes most RVs use that key for storage. For entry doors you still don’t have great options. For almost every replacement door latch, there is only about 100 different key combinations… And there is still a Master key that can be used.
When I bought my 2017 adventure truck camper, the first thing I did was change out all the compartment and door locks. This happened because the salesman mentioned ( as you mentioned as well) they have a master key to all the doors. Worth the money and was easy to do.
RV Lock IS THE BEST!!! We have had it on our 5th wheel for 5 years and it is great. We tried another brand and we were disappointed. RV Lock is the best going in my opinion.
yes – we have had a good experience also – i like the fact that you can use the lock keypad, use the fob and also also have a key for backup. the fob is great when its raining!
We purchased the Global Link Ultra E Pro lock with keypad for our 5th wheel, and selected it because it was constructed of heavy duty metal instead of plastic like most of the others. Our offshore-manufactured OEM lock handle just ‘fell apart’ after 6 years of light duty use. The Global Link lock is a widely available and well-respected option…I am surprised that this was not included in your reviews.
The FOB that other solutions provide did not make sense for us, as we hate carrying keys at all. And, most of them seem to be made out of plastic or cheap metal. So, with our opted to go with Global Link. Once installed (which was easy) we selected a 4 digit combination and we have access to our RV anytime, without needing to carry anything (FOB, key, etc). And, we still have the second “dealership” non-deadbolt handle lock if we ever want to leave it semi-locked while undergoing servicing.
I did have to deal with Global Link regarding an installation issue, and they were so accommodating and helpful, that I would recommend this to anyone looking to move to an electric lock.
Before you rush out to buy a new lock, try a CH751 key in your current lock. The keys are normally clearly marked. My factory door lock does not open with a CH751. Maybe it is a standard key, but it isn’t a CH751. BTW, the only CH751 lock on my home is the outdoor shower.
Very rare that our doors or compartments are ever locked. Would rather have something stolen than a door forced and broken. By the way have never had anything taken at a RV park or storage lot.
Newmar does not use the CH751/751CH locks and keys on any doors, at least not on mine. BTW, I discovered that the lock on many home irrigation control boxes are also CH751/751CH.
What is the brand and model of the lock that is at the start of this article. My older RV has a square format lock and the new arrowhead designs won’t match up with it new paint job.