Make an extra set of keys

[Duane King]

I used to have two complete sets of keys to my teardrop trailer. One set was lost last summer while camping. I've been saying ever since the, "Boy, I really ought to replace that spare set of keys".

Two weeks ago I lost the other set. I have torn my house apart trying to find them and have run out of places to look. Now I own a trailer with 5 locks I can not open. I suppose I will have to drill out all of those locks and pay to replace all the locking handles. What a drag. . .

Don't be like me. . . make at least one extra set of keys!

[Ageless]

I carry a spare key for the trunk in my wallet. In the trunk is a spare set.

[Miriam C.]

Might be cheaper to have a locksmith make a key!

Mike has one, I have one and my daughter has one. Just in case.

[Gage]

Say Duane, just take the tear to a good lock smith and let him pick the lock and then make new keys and reset the lock to match the new keys. Maybe even set the locks so one key fits all. Might save a lot of grief.

[starleen2]

good advice Duane!

[Senior Ninja]

There are some videos on You Tube about picking locks.
Seems the best bet is to hire a local teenager and get out of their way.
Steve

[Ageless]

Don't know about where you live, but in many places, pocessing lock-picking tools without being a bonded. licensed locksmith is a felony.

[Senior Ninja]

Sometimes I live here. Most times at about a dozen other sites.
Jus' kiddin' couldn't pass up the chance.
Steve

[Dean in Eureka, CA]

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)

[asianflava]

I had a bunch of junk inside the tear when I was moving. Something slid across some boxes and locked the door from the inside. Key or no key, I couldn't get in that door. The other side was OK but it was covered with boxes that I had loaded from the other side. I managed to unlock it with a broom from the other side.

At Last Gasp, the same thing happened to someone else. I think they removed the window to unlock the door rom the inside.

[Aaron Coffee]

I think I have a spare set on my pickup keyring and I used the other set to mark my dutch oven. For the most part I don't lock the doors, I have found that the handles I used have enough play when locked that they will still open the door.

[Corwin C]

Hate to give away secrets but ...

I have a spare key to the current camp trailer hid in a void (that happens all too often) in the edge grain of plywood. Wrap with black electrical tape to make it thick enough to fit tightly and hide the metal color. Retrieve using length of wire or short stick. Invisible yet hid in plain sight.

... 'course none of us would be caught dead using cheap ply would we?

[Mightydog]

I have a spare key to the current camp trailer hid in a void (that happens all too often) in the edge grain of plywood. Wrap with black electrical tape to make it thick enough to fit tightly and hide the metal color. Retrieve using length of wire or short stick. Invisible yet hid in plain sight.

This guy:

would call that a slick.

[Duane King]

Well, thanks for all the input. I'm glad I posted my complaint for you all to see. Your replies kept me from getting out the power tools and destroying my trailer to get inside.

This afternoon I went to a locksmith. Just like you all suggested, he was able to pick the locks and then make keys. I also got key rings and those nifty plastic key covers that color code the keys so you can tell them apart. Four different locks, three complete sets of keys. The whole thing cost me $99.26. After all I imagined I might go through, that sounded like a real bargain.

I'm back in business. Thanks for your help.



Now I've just got to figure out a place to hide one set of keys so I never have to go through that again. . . I suppose I could get a safe to put the keys in. If I forget the combination to the safe, I could just drill my way in. . .

[Senior Ninja]

I keep a set of keys in the bottom of the little bag I keep all my toiletries in. I always take it camping and traveling. I always have a set of keys with me then.
Steve