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Are All RV Keys the Same? Don’t Get Ripped Off!

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For those unfamiliar with RVs, travel trailers, and campers, there are a lot of things that may surprise you about how similar one vehicle is to another. One question many people ask is: Are all RV keys the same? People that are not familiar with RVs and trailers will be surprised to learn that factory RV door locks are all keyed the same.

Since RV door locks are all keyed the same, there are security issues that you can run into with your camper. It is much easier to break into your mobile home and rob you. As a result, there are security measures that you need to take after you purchase your RV, travel trailer, or camper. Without taking these security measures you are putting yourself at risk.

If you do not know what it means for all RV door locks to be keyed alike, it means that there is a universal key for all the RV door locks that were keyed the same. Manufacturers do this so salespeople can unlock several RVs and show them to interested buyers without carrying around dozens of RV keys.

Are RV Storage Compartment Locks the Same?

So, you know that camper door locks are usually universal but is that the case for the RV storage compartment locks as well? Unfortunately, the key that opens that storage compartment is the same for 90% of RVs. As a result, you will need to take safety precautions for this portion of your camper as well. Otherwise, you will be risking your RV gear getting stolen.

Thieves know that RVs and trailers are easy targets for theft. They know that many new RV owners do not know to get new locks placed on their RVs. As a result, they can easily find many targets to steal from. You need to avoid being one of those people by taking the proper precautions and getting your locks changed.

Are Entry RV Door Locks the Same?

Unfortunately, as we mentioned briefly above, entry RV door locks are the same in most cases. This will not be true for 100 percent of RVs, campers, and travel trailers. However, in most situations, the key you have will be the same as your neighbor. As a result, you are at a heightened risk of theft.

Almost anyone who has access to a camper key could get into your camper if they wanted to. As a result, you need to take the proper precautions to make sure that your camper cannot be so easily entered.

Can I Replace My RV Keys and RV Locks?

Fortunately, it is possible to change your RV locks and RV keys, and it’s not very difficult.

With your storage compartment locks, you need to remove the screw that holds the cam in the lock cylinder. Then you should use a 7/8 wrench to unscrew the nut that is holding the cam lock to the storage bin door. You can then slide the lock out of the mounting hole with ease. Once this is removed you can install new storage compartment locks.

When you are looking for new locks for your camper, you need to know what to look for. There are several locks out there that are not ideal and not as secure as you will not for your RV. As a result, you need to do a little research so that you know what to get. Ideally, you will get a tubular cam lock or a 3-digit combination cam lock. Both are secure and will protect against home invaders.

What Are the Best RV Lock and RV Keys Replacement Options?

Here we will look at five of the best replacement locks you can purchase for your RV or camper. You should note that although this is a numbered list, we did not rank the products. The locks are listed in no particular order.

1. RV Tubular Cam Lock for Storage Compartments

Since 90% of all RVs have the same RV keys for the RV storage locks I recommend using these tubular cam locks for your storage compartment . They come in a set of 4 locks with 2 RV keys.

First of all, they are a great deterrent because most thieves just use a standard key to unlock storage departments so as soon as they see your lock – like in the picture above on the right they will walk away because there is NO WAY a regular key will fit in these locks.

Just be aware ounce you unlock them you have to turn them back to the locked position to remove the key. Not a big deal in my opinion.

2. RV Travel Trailer Entry Door Lock

This RV trailer lock from Leisure Locks is the first of five good options for you. The lock has a built-in deadbolt. A deadbolt will provide you with an extra sense of security. Additionally, the model is built for travel trailers but can also work for cargo haulers, horse trailers, and custom utility trailers.

This lock comes with inside and outside latches with four double edge RV keys. The lock should fit most RV doors, but you should still check the measurements to be safe. This Leisure Lock trailer lock fits hole cut-outs from 2.5” x 3.5” to 3” x 4” and door thickness from 1.25” to 1.5.”

3. Exterior Camper Door Handle

This camper door lock from TRIMARK is another great option for you. It has interior and exterior assembly and comes with two sets of keys. It is coated with black powder so that it matches most RVs and campers.

The lock should fit home entrance doors with a thickness of 1.39” to 1.6.” This should be a size that fits most trailers.

4. Valterra Stainless Steel RV Entrance Lock

This lock from Valterra is a universal, 4-way entrance door lock . The locks feature a stainless-steel finish that matches most RV color schemes. The lock also has a panic-proof inside knob, as well as a solid steel interior. The locks work in standard and drive-in configurations.

The locks should 1-3/8 inch to 1-3/4 inch doors. They can fit 2-3/8 inch or 2-3/4 inch backsets.

5. Creative Products Group Black RV Door Lock

The final RV door lock on our list is from Creative Products Group. This lock is extremely durable and trustworthy, so you do not need to worry about anyone breaking in while it is on. Unfortunately, it is keyed to any global pro series lock. This means that anyone with that type of lock will have a key that matches yours. However, this is still an improvement from the lock that comes with the RV. Finally, the lock has a black powder coat finish, so it should look good on your RV.

Stay Safe After Finding the Best RV Lock Replacement for You

After reading, we hope you have all the information you need on locks and the problems that come with them in RVs and campers. The locks that come with your newly purchased RV or camper are solid locks. The big problem is that they are universal locks, so most people that have an RV will have a key that can unlock your RV. This is a problem for most people.

As a result, you need to take the proper precautions and get a replacement lock for your RV or camper. Installing a lock is not very difficult. However, before you install the lock, you need to make sure that you purchase a lock that is reliable. You do not want to buy a lock that is easy to break into. So, take your time, do your research, and get a lock that will work well and for a long time.

Are you a new or experienced RV owner? Have you bought a replacement door lock before? Are you interested in any of the products listed above? Let us know in the comments!

RELATED READING

Check out some of our other articles related to RV Campers: – 8 Best Places to Buy RV Accessories and Supplies – Is RV Repair Club Worth Joining? – 10 Most Googled Travel Trailer Camping Questions – 7 Tips for Saving Money on Mobile RV Repairs – 9 Tips for Choosing the Best RV Repair Shop

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RV – Motorhome, Camper & Travel Trailer Lock & Keys Local Service

• Posted: April 4th, 2019
• By: Locksmith Monkey Team

Traveling in RV motorhomes is adventurous and beyond fun. However, all the fun vanishes when you lose the keys. Of course, you may be wondering, now that I’ve lost the keys to my RV, what am I supposed to do? Well, you’ve come to the right place. In fact, we have a number of solutions for camper and RV lockouts. Read on to find out motorhome key replacement solutions.

Lost the keys to my RV – What to do?

In the first place, RV motorhomes are your home and your vehicle all in one. “ I lost the keys to my RV” is the equivalent of losing all of your belongings. Of course loosing your key is a great loss and it also causes a lot of stress too. Sometimes, camper and RV lockouts are a result of lock jams instead of lost keys. Thereupon, for jammed locks, you’ll have no other option but to hire a professional to deal with the matter. However, for the case of lost keys, we’ll be able to help you today.

There are only three ways to solve RV and camper lockouts.  You’ll need to find a motorhome key replacement, open the lock yourself or break into the RV. Both of these are possible options. However, you will need a certified locksmith or a master key from the RV dealer. The majority of RV owners change their RV locks after purchasing. Likewise, most dealers throw away keys when they sell RVs. If this happens, you’ll have no choice but to hire a locksmith. Our experts are ready to assist. In no time, our locksmith will make you a brand new key. Furthermore, this service is available almost everywhere. But suppose, for whatever reason, you have bad luck and you can’t find a locksmith nearby. There is also the possibility that a locksmith is unavailable. As a result, you must manually break in your RV.  

RV lock mechanisms

Moreover, to make the break-in successful, you’ll first need to understand the mechanism of a general RV door. In essence, you’ll notice that on the inside, RV doors are designed to look like a regular door that you’ll find in any home. Hence, it will have an averagely sized handle along with a lock that doesn’t require a key. Furthermore, there won’t be any keyhole on the inside. The purpose is to allow anyone on the inside to be able to get out even if they don’t have the keys. This is a precautionary mechanism for emergency situations such as fires.

On the other hand, the outer part of the door looks is very different. It has a big and strong handle. Keep in mind that RVs are literally on the road. Anyone can access them. For safety measures, the outside is designed very differently. There is a keyhole in which you have to insert the right key in order to open the RV.

Don’t panic – camper and RV lockouts

Overall, before you start looking for motorhome key replacements , take a deep breath. Look around yourself. Check your pockets and bags thoroughly. Walk back on the path that you came from to ensure that the keys didn’t fall somewhere. After there is no luck there, go to the office. They may have a master key that can open your lock. Also, in case you dropped your keys and someone found them, you’ll get them back from the office.

If you’re far away from the office, your first step should be to look for help.   You can try to DIY things around you if you cannot contact a locksmith.   See if you can get assistance from others nearby. You never know, you may get in touch with a locksmith on vacation! That’s unlikely but what’s easily possible is that someone around you would have tools that will be needed to break the lock. Therefore, if you have the slightest idea of how to break a lock or open it using wires and bobby pins, this solution will prove successful.

If none of the aforementioned tips are applicable, there is only more thing you can try. You can either break the door or a window. This isn’t as easy and safe as you may think. A broken door or window means that you’ll be offering open access to animals and people until you can get it fixed. Moreover, you can also hurt yourself while breaking a window. You’ll find a big rock nearby easily. Wrap a shirt or any available protective material around your hand before breaking the window. Make sure to shut your eyes closed and look the other way to prevent any glass particles from hurting you. As for breaking the door, you’ll definitely need heavy tools, physical help, and a lot of energy to accomplish it. Breaking a window is easier and quicker. However, getting in from a window with sharp, broken glass edges all around is very dangerous. Be extremely careful.

The next steps – Call us!

If you’ve broken the door or window, you should immediately start driving without causing any delay. Head over to a populated and safe place. First of all, find a locksmith to make you new keys. Next, get the RV fixed. Clean the mess and then think of continuing your adventures.

To prevent any such mishaps from happening in the future, take a lot of precautionary steps. One very easy solution is to switch to a code lock. You won’t ever have to worry about carrying keys in this case. Moreover, you can install two doors in your RV. There are lesser chances that you’ll lose two pairs of keys. Lastly, you can get a lockbox. Hide it somewhere in the outside of the RV and put a spare key in it!

If you’re ever in such a situation, contact us to avail the best locksmith services. We offer our expertise around the clock in every area possible. As long as you can contact us, we’re at your doorstep!

Why do so many chosen us?

Wes was awesome, same day service and rekeyed my locks perfectly for a fair price. Also provided great advice on double sided deadbolt placements! Michael K. On Google rekeyed my locks June 20, 2019

I was very impressed with the efficiency and ease of getting two new keys made for my car.(I had called another place in town and they never even returned my call!) I spoke with a gentleman last evening, made appointment and Ilan was at my house this morning. He was polite, knowledgeable and has a good sence of humor! He even took a few moments and chatted with myself and elderly mother when he was done. Highly recommend this company, would not hesitate to use them again!! Thanks again!! Lori C. Oregon City, OR Car Key Copy June 20, 2019

Excellent service. Locksmith was running late and called twice to let me know. He was friendly, quick and efficient. Had 3 residential locks re-keyed and repaired within 45 minutes. Definitely recommend and would use again. Felicia M. On Google Locks re-keyed June 12, 2019

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Key Bridge collapse: A tugboat escort could…

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Key bridge collapse: a tugboat escort could have prevented tragedy, some believe.

As the Dali slid out of its berth at the Port of Baltimore in the early hours of March 26, it wasn’t alone.

A pair of 5,000-horsepower tugboats guided the massive container ship into the deep channel in the Patapsco River, pointing it toward the Chesapeake Bay as it began its voyage to Sri Lanka. Then, off they went, according to maritime tracking data.

If they’d still been with the ship or close by, the tugs may have averted the ensuing disaster, as the Dali apparently lost power and drifted into a bridge support, toppling the Francis Scott Key Bridge, killing six road workers, two of whom have yet to be found.

There is no policy requiring tugboats to escort ships like the Dali beneath the Key Bridge, the largest obstacle for a ship navigating the Patapsco outbound into the bay, a bit more than 2 nautical miles from the terminal.

The typical practice for tugboat escorts at the Port of Baltimore, as at many other U.S. ports, is governed by agreements between key stakeholders, rather than formal policy. According to the Maryland Port Administration, decisions are made by ship’s captains and the Maryland pilots who board cargo vessels to guide them into and out of port.

Still, the fact that the Dali didn’t have a tugboat escort until it passed the bridge came as a surprise to some maritime experts.

“It makes no sense that that tug escort would be abandoned before she exited the critical area of the port, which is the bridge,” said maritime attorney Hugh “Skip” Lambert, of New Orleans.

But industry representatives said preventing crashes like the Dali’s cannot be solved simply by throwing extra tugboats at ships moving through ports across the nation, a solution that would be onerous, unnecessary and could drive container traffic away from more restrictive ports.

“It’s not like: ‘Oh, man, maybe we need two more tugs, three more tugs, four more tugs. Well, now nobody’s going to come to your port,” said Jennifer Carpenter, president and CEO of the American Waterways Operators, a trade organization representing the tugboat, towboat and barge industry.

The cost of tug escorts is part of the calculus, said Jeffrey Slesinger, a longtime tug captain who now trains mariners through his company Delphi Maritime, based in Edmonds, Washington.

“The analogy is this: Why don’t we have pedestrian lights at every street crossing in the U.S.? Why isn’t there a walk-don’t walk sign at every intersection we have?” Slesinger said.

The cost should be weighed against the risk — and the potential price of catastrophe, he said.

“The technology is there,” he said. “It’s a political and environmental balance, between using that technology and the expense that’s incurred by it, and the risk of whatever that vessel is either carrying or the risk of where it’s traveling.”

Ports would do well to conduct comprehensive safety assessments, and hopefully the Key Bridge disaster sparks those evaluations, Carpenter said. Tugboats are not the silver bullet, but rather one potential improvement, alongside beefing up protection for bridges and other infrastructure , she said.

These sorts of evaluations must be updated periodically, as changes in vessel traffic and vessel size alter the threat level. Any changes should happen port by port, Carpenter said, rather than through a blanket policy, given geographic, tidal and traffic differences between harbors. Often, organizations such as “harbor safety committees” discuss a port’s tug practices, but pilots play a leading role, she said.

The Maryland Association of Pilots did not respond to requests for comment for this article. McAllister Towing, the owner of the two tugboats that escorted the Dali from the pier to the channel, declined to comment.

Following the Key Bridge collapse, those conversations have begun already, said former merchant mariner Sal Mercogliano.

“It changed things that day, I can tell you that much,” he said. “There were discussions going on in ports that day.”

When the Key Bridge is rebuilt, it’s possible the policy in Baltimore changes. For the time being, large, deep-draft vessels like container ships must use two tugboat escorts as they pass through the temporary channel beside the wreckage, which opened for a few days starting Thursday , per an order from the Coast Guard’s Captain of the Port .

Any permanent change also likely would come from the Coast Guard, said Richard Scher, spokesman for the Maryland Port Administration. Baltimore has a harbor safety committee, which includes representatives from the Association of Maryland Pilots, the Coast Guard, police, the Army Corps of Engineers and others. But Scher said he is not aware of the committee discussing tugboat best practices for the Port of Baltimore.

The efficacy of tugboats was on full display less than two weeks after the Key Bridge collapsed, when another massive container ship, the APL Qingdao, lost propulsion in the Kill Van Kull Channel, which separates New York and New Jersey, on its way to the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. When emergency struck, the vessel already had tugs attached, a “routine safety measure” that is common practice for the waterway approaching the bridge, according to the Coast Guard.

To be sure, the situation aboard the Qingdao wasn’t as dire as the circumstances aboard the Dali on March 26, when the ship apparently lost power, affecting not only its propulsion systems, but others as well. The Qingdao also was farther from the Verrazano-Narrows, which connects the New York boroughs of Staten Island and Brooklyn, when its propulsion systems failed.

For the crew of the Dali, power loss came at precisely the wrong moment, said retired Navy Capt. Lawrence Brennan, an attorney who teaches maritime law at Fordham Law School. The pilot on board the Dali issued a last-ditch request for tugboats as the ship drifted toward the Key Bridge, but it was too late.

“They were just too close,” he said. “I don’t know if assisting tugs would have been able to make a difference. They certainly wouldn’t have harmed the situation, if they were able to assist. But it’s geography and speed, time, distance — and fortuity.”

Slesinger said he has no doubt that, if there had been a properly equipped escort tug still attached to the Dali when it lost power in the Patapsco, it most likely would have saved the Key Bridge.

Modern tugs are “purpose-built,” he said, as opposed to the multipurpose vessels that dominated in the 1970s and ’80s. They’re more powerful and agile, specially designed to escort cargo vessels many times their size.

From the “escort position,” tugboats tethered to the stern of cargo ships exert steering and braking forces on ships like the Dali, Slesinger said.

For the U.S. tugboat industry, the Key Bridge collapse could have ripple effects similar to the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989, Slesinger said.

“It has the potential to be that kind of a game-changer,” Slesinger said.

That incident, considered among the worst environmental disasters in U.S. history, saw 11 million gallons of oil spilled into Alaska’s Prince William Sound after an oil tanker ran aground. It spawned the Oil Pollution Prevention Act of 1990, and the requirement that two tugboats accompany oil tankers exiting the Sound.

But past U.S. bridge collapses caused by vessel crashes haven’t spurred that level of transformative change, Slesinger said.

In 2002, Oklahoma’s Interstate 40 bridge was struck by a barge and plunged into the Arkansas River, killing 14 people and injuring 11.

“It raised awareness, people were talking about bridge infrastructure: ‘We gotta fix this.’ The industry, American Waterways Operators, they did some best practice stuff,” Slesinger said. “But it never went much beyond that. It never really got into the big political arena.”

The difference very well could be the video footage, which shows the Key Bridge dropping span by span into the river, mere moments after it was struck: a proud highway one second and a mangled wreck the next.

“That bridge just immediately collapsed,” Slesinger said. “That will burn itself into many people’s minds. And then they’ll be like: ‘How did this happen?’”

Baltimore Sun reporter Alex Mann contributed to this article.

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The best RV tankless water heater in 2024

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Glamping in an RV can completely change a person's experience of the great outdoors. RVs provide plenty of creature comforts that you just can't get with a traditional tent setup, not the least of which is running water. While most RVs have water tanks, you'll likely have to do a bit more accessorizing if you want to heat that water up enough to do something like shower. An RV tankless water heater can do exactly that. There are plenty of options out there, so we've wrangled up some of the most popular and accessible heaters in this list below.

RecPro RV Tankless Water Heater - $429.95 (14% off)

Key features.

• Provides instant hot water with no wait
• Features a forced exhaust structure and dust net to keep the air clean as it moves through the tankless water heater
• Utilizes low water pressure startup
• Heated with propane
• "Flame Out Protection" automatically turns off the unit if the flame gets snuffed out
• "Water & Gas Linkage Control" turns off the heat if you run out of water, so you don't use up all your propane or damage the heater
• "Frost Protection" automatically heats the water if the temperature is 43°F or less
• Temperature range from 95°F - 123°F
• Applicable water pressure from 14.5 PSI - 116 PSI

The RecPro option has lots of great features such as a forced exhaust structure and dust net for keeping the air clean as it moves through the heater, low water pressure startup, "flame out protection" and more. It'll even automatically turn off the heat if you run out of water so you don't use up your propane or damage the heater. This unit can provide heat from 95°F - 123°F with water pressure from 14.5 PSI - 116 PSI.

Camplux Tankless Water Heater - $292.12

• 2.64 GPM (Gallons Per Minute) of instant hot water are produced
• Only heats the water when it's being used - no need for preheating
• 6-in-1 multiple protection includes flame-out protection, anti-freezing protection, over-heating protection, air flow pressure switch protection and more
• Utilizes an electronic ignition system and plugs into a standard 120V outlet
• Compact design made for saving space
• Features a digital temperature display
• Camplux offers 24 hour customer service

This Camplux heater provides 2.64 gallons per minute of hot water. Like all tankless water heaters, there's no need for the water to pre-heat, which means it provides instant hot water whenever you need. This one features six types of protection including flame-out protection, anti-freeze protection, over-heating protection and more. It even has a digital temperature display built right in!

FOGATTI RV Tankless Water Heater - $599.99 (28% off)

• Features a high altitude suitability mode, providing usability as high as 9,800 feet
• Staged combustion technology prevents water from getting too hot in the summer and saves on propane
• Produces 2.9 GPM (Gallons Per Minute) of hot water. The supply of hot water lasts over 20 minutes
• Includes a built-in pressure release valve
• Features a wired (2 meters) remote controller
• CSA certified with multiple protection features: built-in forced exhaust fan, stable combustion, automatic gas shut-off and anti-freeze

If you're looking for an RV water heater that'll stay consistent in high altitudes, this Fogatti option is worth a look. It provides usability as high as 9,800 feet. It also features staged combustion technology to prevent water from getting too hot in warm days and will also save you propane. It produces 2.9 gallons per minute of hot water, has a built-in pressure release valve and even features a (wired) remote controller.

Furrion 2.4GPM Tankless RV Gas Water Heater - $650.00

• 2.4 GPM (Gallons Per Minute) capacity
• Delivers hot water on demand "even when the ambient temperature drop to 32°F"
• Built-in sensors automatically turn the heater off if the water temp goes above a safe limit
• " Specially designed for retrofit applications and use(d) as a replacement door for Suburban 4/6 Gallon Water Heater models. This door fits the required dimension of 16.14-inches x 16.14-inches"
• Utilizes Furrion VibrationSmart technology to be able to withstand vibrations caused by rocky or uneven terrain
• Covered by Furrion's 2-year warranty

If you're planning an extra rugged trip, this Furrion tankless water heater is worth a look. It features VibrationSmart tech to help it withstand vibrations caused by rough terrain. It has a 2.4 gallon per minute capacity, can deliver hot water even when the ambient temperature reaches freezing (32°F), and it's specifically designed for retrofit applications and can be used as a replacement door for Suburban 4/6 gallon water heater models. The best part? It's covered by a 2 year manufacturer warranty.

Girard RV Tankless Hot Water Heater - $479.99

• Features an onboard microprocessor to control things like flow rate and outgoing hot water temperature to keep it consistent
• Consumes half the propane gas that a six-gallon tank water heater would 
• Includes a digital user control panel that allows the user to adjust the temperature from 95°F to 124°F and displays error codes
• This water heater "fits in any tank water heater cut-out opening and weights 32 lbs"

The Girard water heater could be a great choice if you're trying to save on propane. This model consumes only about half the propane than a six-gallon tank water heater would. The onboard microprocessor helps to control things like flow rate and outgoing hot water temp and it also has a digital control panel that allows the user to adjust the water temperature from 95°F to 124°F. It also displays error codes if there's ever an issue.

What is an RV tankless water heater?

An RV tankless water heater is just like it sounds. Rather than heating water in a tank, tankless water heaters heat the water instantly as it's moving through the system so no tank is needed. In theory, this system can offer an unlimited supply of hot water (or, at least, it can heat as much water as you have available in your RV).

Why do you need a tankless water heater?

While it's certainly not a necessity to have a hot water heater for an RV, it can definitely make your trips a lot more pleasant. Sure, it's possible to shower with cold water, but it's certainly not fun. As for what makes a tankless water heater more desirable than a traditional heater, the big benefit is that they're often smaller than traditional heaters, which is extremely helpful in a space as compact as an RV. Also, as mentioned above, they heat water instantly rather than requiring the user to wait for a tank of water to heat up.

How does a tankless water heater work?

Water is heated on its way through the pipes of the heater, rather than in a large tank like a traditional water heater.

How do you use a tankless water heater?

First, you'll need to get it installed. How do you install a tankless water heater? Well, unfortunately it can vary depending on the heater. If you're uncomfortable doing this yourself, we recommend speaking to a mechanic familiar with tankless water heating systems.

Pros and cons of using a tankless water heater?

Of course the biggest pro of using a tankless water heater is that you'll have hot water on your excursions! Going the tankless route ensures an "unlimited" and instant supply. However, tankless water heaters can be expensive and a pain to install, so you'll have to weigh the convenience against your budget and your comfort level with moderate-lift DIY projects. 

How much is a tankless water heater?

As you can probably tell from our selections, you'll be able to find water heaters available in a wide range of price options. In general, you can probably find one anywhere from $100 for a budget option to $1,200+ for something a bit more high-end.

See our other guides to the best RV products 

• Best RV covers
• Best RV battery options
• Best RV roof sealants 
• Best solar panels for an RV
• Best RV generator options
• Best RV mattress options

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