Entry Door Lock Frozen

[2StrokeDiesel]

Went to unlock entry door on the coach and couldn't get in. locks on door was frozen. Key would only go into lock about 90%.

In a way im not shocked since we've had freezing rain and snow last week as well as up and down temps.

Just wondering is there any trick that I should know about to prevent this from happening again? Never had to deal with it before!

[folivier]

Not sure if this applies or not but when the sun is directly on the door the aluminum skin expands and makes the door stick and the lock is hard to turn. The quick fix is to pour cool water on the door to cause it to shrink.

[JustDustin]

Forest is right on target with this one. :thumbsup:

[folivier]

My wife got locked inside in Moab ;)

[cdat]

It can also be caused by water getting in the keyhole then freezing. When I was stationed back east quite a few years ago they sold small cans that basically were alcohol you could spray into the keyhole to melt the ice, I don't know if they are still sold. Might try spraying wd-40 in the keyhole, see if that works. I used to put a small piece of duct tape over the keyhole if I knew we were getting freezing rain, seemed to help.

John

[NewellCrazy]

get some alcohol or lock deicer they will free right up.Put a piece of electrical tape or duct tape like John mentioned so water won't get into them.

[GORDON HUMMEL]

Forest,
You neglected to mention that the water goes on the outside:thumbsup:

[2StrokeDiesel]

Ill grab some de-icer and then cover them up with electricl tape.

Thanks for the replies!

[GringoPhil]

Once they are thawed use some silicone spray to lube and shed water. Don't use WD40 as it is a solvent and will remove any lubricant in the lock assemble.

[ccjohnson]

But Gordon, how do you get water on the outside if you're on the inside?? LOL

[cdat]

GringoPhil is correct, much better idea.
There are times I'd like to lock my wife inside, or outside, usually she locks me out!
John

[The Newell]

I found out an few years ago that WD-40 would mess up the padlocks to the fence gates at home so I started using a silicon spray and have had no problems since.

[MrE]

I used to have locking ski racks that did that up on the mountain. I would heat the key up and stick it in, worked like a champ.

[peneumbra]

I sit here in our '87 Newell (#139) waiting for the locksmith to put a new deadbolt in our entry door. It is about 9 p.m., and we are in the KOA campground in Tucson, AZ.

We've had no previous issues with the door locks (although we did have one on our other Newell, years ago). Today was neither hot nor cold, no frozen rain, just a normal day. When we returned from recreating, the key would NOT operate the dead bolt. Made entry through an unlocked and unscreened window.

Now then. If the problem is the dead bolt itself, well, we should have that fixed in, oh, say, an hour or so. But if the problem is the door...

[wooflee90]

We got locked in our '87 Newell last time out. Deadbolt evidently wore out and would not engage bar. Had to disassemble lock to turn deadbolt with screwdriver after first sending teenager out the window to get tools.

Trying to replace both deadlocks now. Does anyone have a source for these deadbolts? Local camping store can't find replacement that fits. Would a mobile home manufacturer be a possible source or does Newell still carry these?

---------------
Greg and Kim Lee (Newell novices)
Valdosta, GA
1987 Newell Classic
38 ft. 6 inch

[MrE]

I found a source for deadbolts online.

https://www.doorhardwarecenter.com/baldwin-8031-estate-traditional-single-cylinder-deadbolt-for-1-5-8-inch-bore-hole

https://www.doorhardwarecenter.com/baldwin-8021-estate-traditional-double-cylinder-deabolt-for-1-5-8-inch-bore-hole

Hope this helps.