| Outside accessible storage space is a boon to the | | | | market deadbolt lock. |
| modern RVer. | | | | I also have a key that will fit 90% of all the |
| Why clutter up your interior storage cabinets? Now | | | | compartments on most RVs built since 1965. Most of |
| you have outside accessible storage capacity that will | | | | the time, these older compartment locks could be |
| eliminate the hassles and bothers of stowing all your | | | | opened with an ordinary screwdriver or a dime or any |
| necessary gear inside. This compartment is just the | | | | object small enough to insert into the keyway. |
| right size for that, and that compartment is just made | | | | Now, if I was a thief, any possession that you have |
| for this. You can put your new golf clubs and bags in | | | | stored in those compartments could be mine in a |
| here... | | | | matter of seconds. Also, consider that once I have |
| So says the sales brochure...but... | | | | access to the inside of that compartment, it is an easy |
| Out side accessible storage space is also a boon to | | | | matter to lift out the dinette cover, or tip up the sofa, or |
| the many various "low-lifes" and rip-off artists of our | | | | kick in a panel to gain access to the inside of the unit. |
| society. While thefts from your RV may not be an | | | | Take a good look at your trailer or motorhome and |
| issue while parked in a crowded RV park, what about | | | | view it as if you had locked your keys inside |
| the times you are parked in a crowded Walmart | | | | somehow. How many ways can you see of gaining |
| parking lot? Who would question someone rooting | | | | access to the interior? Now think of how many ways |
| around in a motorhome or trailer storage compartment | | | | you could break into that RV if you were not |
| in some supermarket parking lot? Would you? | | | | concerned with destruction of any kind. How about |
| Think about what you have stored in those | | | | that roof vent? It consists of a plastic lid that can easily |
| compartments; that $300 fly rod that is too long to fit in | | | | be ripped off, a nylon screen that you could poke your |
| the inside closet; that video camera with all the | | | | finger through, and a 14" x 14" opening to shinny |
| accessories, bags and batteries; your 35mm camera, | | | | through. And, you know, there is a convenient ladder |
| tripod, and flash; the new tool set you just bought; the | | | | right on the back of that trailer for a thief to use! |
| new portable barbecue with the auto-igniter, spare | | | | The compartment door is usually made of an |
| tanks, and on and on... | | | | aluminum frame with a skin of sheet aluminum on the |
| Did you know that I have the keys to your storage | | | | exterior and possibly some kind of insulation |
| compartments in my pocket? Take out your key ring, | | | | sandwiched between an inner skin of aluminum. A |
| right now, and examine your compartment key. does it | | | | good swift kick to any part of the door would be |
| have a number stamped on it? And would that | | | | sufficient to cave in these defenses. The locking |
| number be, say,CH751 or ES201? You know, with | | | | mechanism consists of a tab that slides into a |
| those keys, you could probably open your neighbors | | | | corresponding groove on the frame when the key is |
| compartments, the compartments in the trailer next in | | | | turned. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out |
| line, and so on, to the end of the row. | | | | that a flat bar inserted between the frame and the |
| And, speaking about keys, does your entry door have | | | | door can pop this lock in seconds. Not exactly Fort |
| a locking mechanism with two places to lock the door | | | | Knox, is it? |
| (one to lock the handle and one to throw the dead | | | | You simply have to take an active part in your own |
| bolt)? The one that locks the handle will be marked | | | | security. Make sure your valuables are inside and out |
| with a C or an E and is a universal type of lock. In | | | | of sight, preferably in some sort of safe. They make |
| other words, my C or E passkey will unlock your trailer | | | | those to put in the floors, you know. And you might |
| if you use only this lock. Every RV salesman, | | | | start thinking about installing alarms at any points of |
| technician or manufacturer has a passkey for this one | | | | entry, i.e.; outside compartment doors, windows, etc. If |
| lock. Any crook could obtain this key with very little or | | | | you do, make sure they are L-O-U-D! Think about |
| no difficulty. | | | | outside lighting, too. Motion sensors are good. Those |
| Not that I'm not saying that RV salespeople, | | | | crooks don't like light and they sure don't like noise. |
| technicians, or manufacturers are crooks, but the keys | | | | Make it tough on them and they'll go elsewhere. |
| are out there and therefore are susceptible. Use your | | | | Now...don't you feel better? |
| deadbolt lock, or better yet, install a quality after | | | | |