I am locked in my T@B

luv2travel

hi- I arrived late in dense fog and now rain to an almost empty State Park in Michigan- I closed the door and the lock lever moved and is now just loose. I cannot open the door at all.  I will crawl out the window later when the rain stops, but I would love any ideas!  Thanks!  At least my "beverages" are inside here with me

Tabster

I've had that happen but there's no way i can crawl out the window. I opened the window and reached out. Used a large screwdriver as a prybar and forced the outside handle open. Good luck!!!

luv2travel

Thanks- just tried the leaning out with key method- no luck, but I will try with tools- I have some in here, too- yay.
The handle opens, but not the door.  The key will turn the red knob, but there must be disconnection with the deadbolt. 

Nomad

Got a screwdriver? The screws for the lock / doorhandle are on the inside, you could take it apart, get at whatever's jammed I'd think. Worth a shot, what do you have to lose :-)

luv2travel

I am free!  I decided to take the mechanism apart ( what were my chances that the only screwdrivers I had inside were a medium Philips and a perfect square head ? The only things I needed:). Now I have a door I may have to duct tape tomorrow- this is day 1 of trip.  when I put the cover back on, the same problem happens.  There seems to be no easy way to keep the deadbolt from engaging when the door shuts.  It has to be slid out of the way each time I want to open door.  Where does one get this fixed? Is this a standard part? I cannot get out to Ohio.  

Nomad

There's got to be something out of wack in there that's fixable I'd think internal screw loose/missing or something. I had mine get jammed shortly after getting my T@B but goofing around with it and realigning solved it.
If nothing works and you're still under warranty, call Ed Kaufman the warranty guy and he can send you a new mechanism I'd think. If not under warranty call Elsie in parts - contact numbers over there to the right.

luv2travel

Thanks so much for your help- In the  morning I will try to put it back together- I think there is a rod connecting the latch to deadbolt, as I think that is what I just found on the floor- duct tape for the rainy night. Time to have a drink:)

Nomad

Bottoms Up :-)
Keep us posted in the morning.

jkjenn

I have always been paranoid this could happen to me...while I am boondocking. I guess Good Sam could rescue me.

Nomad

Just have to keep a screwdriver handy Jenn :-)

luv2travel

Well, that was a fun activity in the rain this morning.  It was not very technical, but the sporty part was trying to gently hold everything in place without dropping screws in the mud, and having to let all the pieces go in order to go hunt in the mud for the latest dropped screw. 
End story = good as new......for now.  Thanks T@bster and PXLated for your advice.  I was lucky to have a signal up here- nice to have this handy forum to check

luv2travel

Jenn- just saw your note- make sure you have the square and Philips screwdrivers inside:)

ericnliz

luv2travel, Wow, first of all, good jail break! Second, glad 'ya got it fixed, and kept your sense of humor in the process! Plus side is, now you have a great story to share, no harm,[slight foul]. Here's hoping the rest of your trip is enjoyable, and un-eventful!

Nomad

Cool - Glad you got it back together.

luv2travel

Thanks- there was the added incentive of escaping, as my T@B does not have the bathroom

Nomad

Ahhhh - That would definetly make escaping a priority :-)

luv2travel

Yes, that was motivation!  I do have the fold up toilet packed deep in the back - for emergencies and this dilemma was still only an emergency in progress

ScottG

With proper beverages and a good screwdriver, you can solve most any dilemma. Nicely done!

jkjenn

luv2travel said:

Jenn- just saw your note- make sure you have the square and Philips screwdrivers inside:)

I actually usually don't have the tools inside, so worth noting. I might take it apart and give the guts a good cleaning in the "off season."

Michigan_Mike

luv2travel said:

 I was lucky to have a signal up here- nice to have this handy forum to check

Which state park were you camped/trapped inside at?  

luv2travel

I was at Strait? Straits SP?  

Michigan_Mike

Have you ever stayed at Wilderness SP?  It's about 4-5 miles outside Mackinaw City.  We like the park and have stayed up there a couple f trips this year.  Darrow's restaurant has great food and are known for their fish dinners too.  They make a good breakfast there but stop serving breakfast by 11 AM.  

If you are still up that way there is a big log building on the right side of the main drag when you are driving in from the west to the east.  Lots of great bargains on sweatshirts ($10 for a Mackinaw Island hoodie) and there is a small mall area back in there and a wine shop.  Fun place to shop, some great wine and good deals!  

Are you still in the north country?

luv2travel

Sounds good for a future trip-thanks!  I moved south and stayed w/friends on their land west of Grand Rapids. I am now in a friends' driveway in Fort Wayne....because, really- who doesn't think of Ft. Wayne driveways when it comes to adventure camping? .   Soon to South Bend, then back home to WI.  It has been a nice fall color loop around Lake Michigan.  

Michigan_Mike

luv2travel said:

Sounds good for a future trip-thanks!  I moved south and stayed w/friends on their land west of Grand Rapids. I am now in a friends' driveway in Fort Wayne....because, really- who doesn't think of Ft. Wayne driveways when it comes to adventure camping? .   Soon to South Bend, then back home to WI.  It has been a nice fall color loop around Lake Michigan.  

Wow, you are in Hoosier land!   If you are going to be staying down around South Bend you should stay a night or two down at Potato Creek State Park....  Beautiful park, quiet and there are trails to walk and bike on.   Well worth the effort and about 10-15 minutes south of South Bend.  

luv2travel

I ran out of time for the park, but your pics are great.  Next time this way I will check it out- thanks.  

Ratkity

Mike, awesome picts!!!!

Photomom

We are planning a trip to Michigan next year and were thinking we'd have to overnight somewhere near Flint, but Potato Creek sounds like a great spot, isn't too far out of the way, and will earn another state on our T@Bbing map! Thanks, never heard of it before! Will try to fit in 3 nights there so we can explore.