Locked Out!

Lloyd
Lloyd Member Posts: 34
edited August 2020 in Camping & Travel
In the midst of a carefree adventure to Montana, North Dakota, and the Black Hills a momentary mishap occurred. After opening our camper I exited and somehow the door locked behind me. To my total chagrin, the keys for our locked TV and camper were inside our Tab. The KOA campsite in Miles City, Montana had the number of a local locksmith who was up for the challenge and gained access. On site he was able to fabricate a replacement key for us from a motorcycle key blank. With some experimentation I was able to determine that somehow the lock lever had been displaced upward before exiting. When the door shut and locked behind me I immediately realized our predicament. The cost of an education is expensive no matter what school you attend. In the case, $55!
2020 T@B 400 w/ factory solar
2015 Nissan Frontier SV, 4WD Crew Cab
Manson, IA

Comments

  • DougH
    DougH Member Posts: 1,110
    @Lloyd Are you going to duct tape the key to the camper in some out of the way hidden spot where it cannot fall to the ground?
    2021 Jeep Gladiator, 2021 tiny toy hauler, Austin TX
    Former steward of a 2017 T@B S Max

  • Lloyd
    Lloyd Member Posts: 34
    Still considering my options ... just glad we weren’t boondocking in a remote BLM site!
    2020 T@B 400 w/ factory solar
    2015 Nissan Frontier SV, 4WD Crew Cab
    Manson, IA
  • Verna
    Verna Member Posts: 6,876
    It may be awkward, but I carry a set of house/barn keys with a camper key in my pocket all the time.  It has saved me a couple of times at home and the camper key is actually the one camper key I use the most. I rarely use the camper key on the ring with my truck keys. But it’s there. 
    Verna, Columbus, IN
    2021 T@B 320S  Boondock “The T@B”
    Towed by a white 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercab, 3.5L V6 Ecoboost “The Truck”
  • DougH
    DougH Member Posts: 1,110
    Why is RVLock taking so long to put out the next version with built-in voice recognition?
    2021 Jeep Gladiator, 2021 tiny toy hauler, Austin TX
    Former steward of a 2017 T@B S Max

  • Verna
    Verna Member Posts: 6,876
    @DougH, send them an email. I’ve been asking for over two years. 
    Verna, Columbus, IN
    2021 T@B 320S  Boondock “The T@B”
    Towed by a white 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercab, 3.5L V6 Ecoboost “The Truck”
  • Lloyd
    Lloyd Member Posts: 34
    Perhaps they don’t recognize your voice. 🙂
    2020 T@B 400 w/ factory solar
    2015 Nissan Frontier SV, 4WD Crew Cab
    Manson, IA
  • N7SHG_Ham
    N7SHG_Ham Member Posts: 1,261
    $55 is cheap! We always carry two sets of keys, one in use and the other stashed in the tow vehicle. I also have a hide a key on the tow vehicle. each set for the tab also has hitch lock, wheel locks, outside storage, etc. in case you misplace one set, you can still unlock the hitch and wheel and go home.
    2019 T@B 400 Boondock Lite
  • MASH
    MASH Member Posts: 3
    I keep a spare set of keys in my glovebox in my tow vehicle for this exact reason.  
  • Lloyd
    Lloyd Member Posts: 34
    That all sounds great but both sets of keys to the TV were in the Tab. While the locksmith was working I had visions of having to drill-out the lock mechanism and overnight shipping a new lock.
    2020 T@B 400 w/ factory solar
    2015 Nissan Frontier SV, 4WD Crew Cab
    Manson, IA
  • N7SHG_Ham
    N7SHG_Ham Member Posts: 1,261
    Lloyd said:
    That all sounds great but both sets of keys to the TV were in the Tab.
    Oops, tactical error. I bet that won't happen again :)
    2019 T@B 400 Boondock Lite
  • jgram2
    jgram2 Member Posts: 1,522
    Do I recall someone slithering through the storage hatch on the 400?
    John, Judi, Guinness & OD in PDX
    T@Bit@t 2015 S Max Outback, ‘18 V6 4Runner 


  • N7SHG_Ham
    N7SHG_Ham Member Posts: 1,261
    @jgram2 you do, maybe a skinny kid, I know I won't fit. I am not sure on the 21's that would be an option with the compartmentalized storage and I believe a much smaller outside access door.
    2019 T@B 400 Boondock Lite
  • Marceline
    Marceline Member Posts: 1,779
    I'm really happy to have the RVLock, but there are ways to hide a spare key on the frame of a T@B. 

    San Francisco Bay Area | 2013 CS-S us@gi | 2015 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner Double Cab

  • lkc001
    lkc001 Member Posts: 881
    I do hide a key box with keys for TV & trailer stuck on the propane bottle in the tub covered with hoses!
    2018 Tab 400
    2016 Nissan Frontier SV 4x4 Crew Cab
  • Denny16
    Denny16 Member Posts: 5,430
    Noe you need to find a new hiding spot... 
    2018 TaB400 Custom Boondock,  Jeep Gladiator truck, Northern California Coast.
  • Pjknoble
    Pjknoble Member Posts: 14
    I think it is something with the kind of handle/lock they use. I have a new 2021 T@B 400 and if the door slams, it will automatically lock shut. There must be enough give/jiggling that it pushes it into a locked position. It happened to me the first day when I was putting things in and out. Luckily, I had the other key in the house.  I immediately went to get a Hide-a-key and installed it.  It now contains all other keys that I need. (This has happened another 4 times). Drives me crazy.  Not a good “feature”.
    2021 T@B 400 Boondock • Acura MDX
    PacNW
  • Dutch061
    Dutch061 Member Posts: 765
    Pjknoble said:
    I think it is something with the kind of handle/lock they use. I have a new 2021 T@B 400 and if the door slams, it will automatically lock shut. There must be enough give/jiggling that it pushes it into a locked position. It happened to me the first day when I was putting things in and out. Luckily, I had the other key in the house.  I immediately went to get a Hide-a-key and installed it.  It now contains all other keys that I need. (This has happened another 4 times). Drives me crazy.  Not a good “feature”.

    Our 2020 did this, it was caused by the bolt being dry. I simply lubricated it and was fine. Never was locked out, but I always keep the spare set of keys in my truck. FMC, so I can unlock the truck either with the fob, the keypad, or my phone (if I have service). Not sure why other MFG's haven't been smart enough to put a keypad on the door like FMC.

    Brad
    2020 400 BDL aka "Boonie"
    2022 Black Series HQ19 aka "Cricket"
    2021 F-250 Tremor with PSD aka "Big Blue"
    Concord, NC 
  • Finchy
    Finchy Member Posts: 41
    @Lloyd. has anyone mentioned something like this? I installed it on my 2014 T@B and it was the best mod I've made. Has a FOB, too.

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N58KQMQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
    2019 Tacoma Off Road
    2014 T@B S Wet Bath Max Plus

    Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to reform (or pause and reflect).
    -Mark Twain
  • Verna
    Verna Member Posts: 6,876
    @Finchy, your 2014 T@B SMax has an entirely different door than the 320’s from 2018 on and the 2018 to present 400’s. RVLock has known about the new nüCamp doors since the 2018 400’s came out and they gave not developed a lock that will work with the thicker doors.

    I had an RV lock on my 2014 T@B and the RVLock worked wonderfully.   
    Verna, Columbus, IN
    2021 T@B 320S  Boondock “The T@B”
    Towed by a white 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercab, 3.5L V6 Ecoboost “The Truck”
  • ChanW
    ChanW Member Posts: 3,171
    I have a spare key, for both my truck and the Tab, with the 'unimportant parts' ground off, so it fits in my wallet. I 'always' have my wallet.... (knock on wood)

    Chan - near Buffalo NY
    2014 S Maxx (ie: "320")
    2011 Tacoma 4cyl ... edit: 2022 Tacoma 6cyl - oh yeah!
    ll9normvqdmg.jpeg


    A_Little_T@b'll_Do_Ya

  • Finchy
    Finchy Member Posts: 41
    @Verna That's a real bummer. I wonder why they have not produced one.
    2019 Tacoma Off Road
    2014 T@B S Wet Bath Max Plus

    Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to reform (or pause and reflect).
    -Mark Twain
  • VictoriaP
    VictoriaP Member Posts: 1,496
    edited September 2020
    Finchy said:
    @Verna That's a real bummer. I wonder why they have not produced one.
    Not enough demand, most likely. No other US RV manufacturer uses these new doors.
    2019 320s BD Lite, white with blue (“Haven”)
    2015 Subaru Outback 3.6r (unsafe 200lb tongue weight limit until 2020 models)
    2020 Subaru Outback XT
    Pacific NW
  • Denny16
    Denny16 Member Posts: 5,430
    I have seen them used on Europe caravans, recognized the door right off.  The current doors are imported by nüCamp from Europe.
    cheere
    2018 TaB400 Custom Boondock,  Jeep Gladiator truck, Northern California Coast.
  • Mouseketab
    Mouseketab Member Posts: 1,262
    edited September 2020
    ChanW said:
    I have a spare key, for both my truck and the Tab, with the 'unimportant parts' ground off, so it fits in my wallet. I 'always' have my wallet.... (knock on wood)
    I have opposite problem. I tend to leave the wallet in the T@B when I'm hanging in the campground for a weekend. Arrive on Friday, and put the wallet away when getting ready for bed. Hanging in the recliner all day Saturday (contemplating the wind blowing through the leaves) Leave on Sunday, and forget to bring the wallet into the truck. Ooops going through a drive-through on the way home. Funny sight getting out of the truck in the drive through, going around to the T@B to get the wallet :)

    Carol
    MOUSE-KE-T@B
    2007 Dutchmen T@B Clamshell #2741
    2022 nuCamp T@B 320 CS-S
    2021 F-150 502A Lariat SuperCrew, 3.5 EcoBoost 4x2
    Harvest, AL
  • Mouseketab
    Mouseketab Member Posts: 1,262
    Denny16 said:
    I have seen them used on Europe caravans, recognized the door right off.  The current doors are imported by nüCamp from Europe.
    cheere
    I think they are Italian. When looking for parts for my Dutchmen handle, found the new door parts in an Italian catalogue

    Carol
    MOUSE-KE-T@B
    2007 Dutchmen T@B Clamshell #2741
    2022 nuCamp T@B 320 CS-S
    2021 F-150 502A Lariat SuperCrew, 3.5 EcoBoost 4x2
    Harvest, AL
  • Tampakayaker
    Tampakayaker Member Posts: 558
    Mouseketab said:
    ChanW said:
    I have a spare key, for both my truck and the Tab, with the 'unimportant parts' ground off, so it fits in my wallet. I 'always' have my wallet.... (knock on wood)
    I have opposite problem. I tend to leave the wallet in the T@B when I'm hanging in the campground for a weekend. Arrive on Friday, and put the wallet away when getting ready for bed. Hanging in the recliner all day Saturday (contemplating the wind blowing through the leaves) Leave on Sunday, and forget to bring the wallet into the truck. Ooops going through a drive-through on the way home. Funny sight getting out of the truck in the drive through, going around to the T@B to get the wallet :)

    Well at least you didn't leave it on a picnic table, or have a squirrel steal it...
    2006 RAM 1500 4 door, 2016 T@B 320 MAX S 
    Tampa FL

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