Make an extra set of keys

[Dale M.]

The key word here is "sets of keys".... Having 3-4-5-6 keys for one trailer is absolutely ludicrous..... If you need 4 keys to lock/unlock TD and have 4 sets, that 16 keys.... I have been over the years on a quest to reduce the number of keys I carry in my pocket, adding four (+/-) keys to my key ring is so dumb, it makes weight in pocket more, and the time searching through keys to find right one is ridiculous..... This whole thread is all a really good argument for having all locks keyed alike.....

Dale

[working on it]

The key word here is "sets of keys".... Having 3-4-5-6 keys for one trailer is absolutely ludicrous..... If you need 4 keys to lock/unlock TD and have 4 sets, that 16 keys.... I have been over the years on a quest to reduce the number of keys I carry in my pocket, adding four (+/-) keys to my key ring is so dumb, it makes weight in pocket more, and the time searching through keys to find right one is ridiculous..... This whole thread is all a really good argument for having all locks keyed alike.....

Dale

GUILTY as charged. My wife says I have a lock fetish; I say that my desire for security is driven by past experiences living in apartment complexes, long ago, and having many toolboxes pilfered from over the years, at work and at racetracks. I have a poster on my wall at work, and in my garage:

x-files

trust no one.jpg (26.26 KiB) Viewed 233 times

I have 13 locks on the little trailer: 4 on the doors, 2 on the hatch, 2 on the spare tire (two chains), 1 on the exhaust vent cover, 1 on the tongue box, 1 on the tongue box slider, 1 on the coupler latch (to be replaced by a hitch lock at camp, = 1 more lock). Total of seven keys, all on my key chain ( which is 17 keys and HHR key fob). Ludicrous, very. And I seem to have misplaced ALL my spares.... Update 8-3-14: added two more locks (right-angle draw latches on bottom of hatch) with one more key. Still have not made more spares for some keys/locks of stuff at home, but, I have found my spare keys for all my trailer locks! I had them on a keychain, inside a pouch, locked in the trailer, where they would do me no good if I had locked myself out. Found them while testing the A/C yesterday. I now have them on my "essentials 2" keychain with my house & gate lock keys (not on the "essentials 1" keychain with vehicle keys and primary trailer keys. I separated the key fob/key for my HHR from this chain because of recurrent ignition switch problems (replaced mine after it locked up). I carry both sets on me at all times, now, attached to my belt, with the keys nested in separate pockets.

keys to my world.jpg (101.38 KiB) Viewed 139 times

[rowerwet]

Duane,
The last time that happened to me, I stopped at a locksmith shop expecting him to pick the locks for me...
He tossed me a large hoop of keys and said one of them would work.
The third key I tried worked.
He made me two sets of keys and didn't even touch the locks.
(I was out of state too when I realized my plight)

we have a huge ring of keys at work, there aren't that many patterns out there in the airplane world, many times the owner leaves the plane for an inspection or work, and takes the key home... after a while we find the right key, then find the right one for the ignition. The RV industry uses mostly the same kind of keys and locks as aviation.
Go on youtube if you want to see how open all of those expensive fancy locks out there.

[CAPT KIDD]

I keep a spare set of keys in each vehicle and a spare set in the safe at home.

[pmowers]

FWIW, If you have any of the Fastec type locks, you can remove the inside paddle handle and the lock assembly will have the key number on a sticker. I suggest writing these down. Additionally, you can order replacement lock cylinders from them, so you can have the same key for all of them. Dual cylinders with keys are only about $4.50 a pair, and you can specify the keying.
http://www.fastecindustrial.com/faq/default.html

It is my understanding that many RV dealers keep extra keys, and having the key number can also help the locksmith cut new keys based on the number.

Pat

[d120]

Dean is right,I bought a used camper last summer,I asked the guy do you have a key for it? he says no.I show up the next day to pick up the camper,and there is a key in the door.I said "you found the Key",and he shows me a key ring with a zillion keys on it.he just went through his keys 'till he found one that would work.campers, in general dont use a lot of different keys.