Toggles and Locks

I don't know about your trailer, but my Bigfoot 21.5' has SIX exterior keylocks, not counting the front door. That's two for the storage hatch, one each for the exterior shower, shore power electrical door, water filler door, and potable water hook-up door. Seems like I spend all my time unlocking and locking stuff. Add to that is the fact that my key is just like yours. As a testament to the power of RV dealers across the land, virtually every travel trailer made today uses the same CH751 key for their exterior hatch access. It reduces the number of those pesky keys, I guess.  Can you imagine what would happen if the auto industry tried the same thing with your car trunk?

To improve the security at the rear storage hatch, I opted to replace the CH751's locks with Ace type keylocks. And to ease the key fumbling at the remaining non-essential locations, I converted to keyless thumb latches. Since these locations typically have flimsy plastic doors anyway, not having a keylock doesn't seem to lessen security much.





The infamous CH751 key . That's some security! In any park, lose your hatch keys and everybody can help you !

  


 

I ordered these from Campers Choice, though I expect there's a number of equivalent sources around the country.

The new storage hatch locks are a pair of 7/8” Ace Key Cam Locks. These are those cylindrical keys that are somewhat harder to pick than standard pin locks.

When you order more than one keylock at the same time, they are keyed the same, unless you want them different.

This shows the old latch and the new one ready to be installed. These are easy to change with little or no modification.


 



The latch tangs may be bent down slightly to improve the latching tension. Do this with two pairs of pliers before installing it on the cylinder otherwise you might damage the door. This applies to both the keylocks and thumb latches.

 


 



These particular Ace Keylocks have a protrusion that captures the key when in the unlocked position. So that you can remove the key when unlocked, you need to file this little thingy off, as has been done on the right hand key. This doesn't affect the operation of the lock at all and makes it somewhat easier to work.

These locks are quite a bit nicer to operate than the old pin tumbler ones they replace.



 


 


 


 

This is the potable water hook up door. The thumb lock cylinders come in 5/8” or 7/8” long. On my 2002, all were 5/8”. (The cylinder length for the storage hatch is 7/8”)

 

This is the outside shower door. Note the ears had to be filed off in order to clear the indentation.



In some cases, it may be easier to salvage the old tang and use it instead of one of those supplied. Where I found this to be the case, the supplied tang was too long and I didn't want to cut it off leaving unplated metal.

 


 


 


 


 

A better view of the finished products.