Compartment cam locks

[Al & Sandy]

I have a 2021 294RL that I am looking at replacing the cam locks on, on the compartment doors. The current locks are the CH751 which is probably the most generic key cut in the U.S. Some of the compartments, such as the propane compartments, have no locks at all.

When I measure the locks from the back of the key entry shoulder to the back of the cylinder it sure appears to be 1", but almost all cam locks are either 7/8 inch or 1 1/8 inch. I understand that this may be affected by the outside spacer or the bend in the lock tongue.

Has anybody had any recent experience with changing these out? If you are happy with the locks you installed, can you tell me what brand your purchased, where you purchased them and what length cam lock you purchased? I am really not interested in replacing these with electronic locks.

I found a couple of threads about these locks, but they did not answer my questions!

Thanks, Al

[richfaa]

It is against fire dept code to have locks on the propane compartment. True the 751 key is generic but the compartment doors can be pried open with a cheap flat head screw driver

[CADman_KS]

Originally Posted by Al S.

I have a 2021 294RL that I am looking at replacing the cam locks on, on the compartment doors. The current locks are the CH751 which is probably the most generic key cut in the U.S. Some of the compartments, such as the propane compartments, have no locks at all.

When I measure the locks from the back of the key entry shoulder to the back of the cylinder it sure appears to be 1", but almost all cam locks are either 7/8 inch or 1 1/8 inch. I understand that this may be affected by the outside spacer or the bend in the lock tongue.

...

I'm assuming that you had them off to take this measurement. You are correct, though, that it appears that there are only 5/8, 7/8, 1 1/8, and 1 1/2. Keystone is using one of these. They don't have something non-standard in this case, I wouldn't think.

Here is a link to a guide that shows all of the different options, if you haven't seen this already:

https://shoprvlocks.com/wp-content/u...GUIDE-2020.pdf

Good luck!!

[Keith Schweizer]

I purchased cam locks at ch751.com. They have all the different lengths you will need along with the tabs for the backside of the lock. Amazon and some other places have them as well.

[Mike639]

Originally Posted by richfaa

It is against fire dept code to have locks on the propane compartment. True the 751 key is generic but the compartment doors can be pried open with a cheap flat head screw driver

I'm pretty sure it would be more of a DOT issue with propane compartments locked than the fire department. Fire Departments don't have authority over what's bouncing down the road.

On that note lock the propane doors when not traveling down the road.

[AZ Traveler]

I rarely lock any of my doors. It would cost more to replace or repair the broken doors than what I would lose.

[richfaa]

Originally Posted by Mike639

I'm pretty sure it would be more of a DOT issue with propane compartments locked than the fire department. Fire Departments don't have authority over what's bouncing down the road.

On that note lock the propane doors when not traveling down the road.

You may well be right on the propane doors but it is still not legal to lock them. We keep our compartment doors locked when in travel as something can bounce against the door and cause it to open. We have seen that on the road a couple of times over the years.

[Carl n Susan]

I too rarely lock my compartment doors. But when I do I know that anyone intent of getting in them can do so easily with a screwdriver or any other type of pry bar tool. To spend more money to upgrade the locks which do nothing to stop someone with a screw driver is a waste of $$ to me.

As for the propane compartment, put a padlock on the tank strap in the provided hole and leave the door unchanged. That way bad actors can't steal the tank but emergency workers can turn them off if required.

[Mike639]

Originally Posted by richfaa

You may well be right on the propane doors but it is still not legal to lock them. We keep our compartment doors locked when in travel as something can bounce against the door and cause it to open. We have seen that on the road a couple of times over the years.

If you’re saying having propane doors locked is illegal can you please provide specific code and/or statute which you are referring to? Preferably federal code as California laws are not enforceable in Iowa.

[R.S.O'Donnell]

NFPA 1192, Para 5.1.6.3

https://www.nfpa.org/assets/files/Ab...-F2001-rop.pdf

[Mike639]

Originally Posted by R.S.O'Donnell

NFPA 1192, Para 5.1.6.3

https://www.nfpa.org/assets/files/Ab...-F2001-rop.pdf

Very nice. Not sure how’s that written on a citation or enforced but it’s there

[R.S.O'Donnell]

Originally Posted by Mike639

Very nice. Not sure how’s that written on a citation or enforced but it’s there

Probably never. I suspect it only comes into play if your rig catches fire and someone needs to shut the LP off quickly.

[Sam3790RD]

A 5th wheel next to ours had a gas leak inside the unit. They were not at home. We heard the propane alarm and evacuated our unit. I was able to shut off the propane (NO LOCKS ON PROPANE DOORS) and was able to open the basement doors to ventilate. If doors had been locked we may have lost his unit and mine. PLEASE DO NOT LOCK THOSE DOORS. Secure the tanks with locks on straps

[jwengermt]

We replaced all the 751 locks on our Montana with the Tubular cam locks from Industrial Lock and hardware. We used their guide that you can download to order the correct sizes. Nice thing about them is you can get them all keyed alike. Here is the link to the website: https://shoprvlocks.com/product/tubu...1-replacement/. The nice thing about ordering from them is they will key a later order to the same as the first. We tried them out on some of the doors and liked them, so we replaced them all. Wasn't aware of fire codes so i put them on the propane doors.
If necessary i can leave them unlocked when parked.

[Scootsk]

Originally Posted by Al S.

I have a 2021 294RL that I am looking at replacing the cam locks on, on the compartment doors. The current locks are the CH751 which is probably the most generic key cut in the U.S. Some of the compartments, such as the propane compartments, have no locks at all.

When I measure the locks from the back of the key entry shoulder to the back of the cylinder it sure appears to be 1", but almost all cam locks are either 7/8 inch or 1 1/8 inch. I understand that this may be affected by the outside spacer or the bend in the lock tongue.

Has anybody had any recent experience with changing these out? If you are happy with the locks you installed, can you tell me what brand your purchased, where you purchased them and what length cam lock you purchased? I am really not interested in replacing these with electronic locks.

I found a couple of threads about these locks, but they did not answer my questions!

Thanks, Al

I changed all my locks so they are keyed alike to the door key. All except the autoleveling door. The locks are too long.
I used https://www.rvlocksandmore.com/. Make sure to rent the rekey tool. Made the process super simple. Took about ten minutes to change 12 cylinders.

[laverdur]

I have CH751 locks on my battery/generator bay, the keypad for leveling and the fresh water fill door. The only one of these I am at all worried about is the fresh water fill in case someone would be inclined to contaminate my fresh water. It would take a pretty malicious person to do that. I'd save my money.

[Sam3790RD]

One good thing about the CH751 is you will never be locked out of your compartments. Your neighbors will have a key if you lose yours. Happy travels!

[Mark7]

I changed out all of my 751's knowing full well the doors can be broken into very easily.

I always tell people who ask why... I'm just keeping the honest people honest. All you are accomplishing is keeping your neighbor who also has the 751 key and is aware they all do coming out of the factory... from coming by and seeing what you have that he might like to borrow!

[Dam Worker]

I have been told that cam locks will not work good do to the amount of dirt etc that they will be exposed too. Don’t know for sure as I was willing to test that theory out. For everyone that says the compartments can easily be broken into, I agree. I have a glass front door and lots of windows in my stick and brick home. Very easy to break into but guess what I still lock the doors and make sure the windows are latched. I am not trying to keep out the real thief’s, I am just trying to keep out the opportunist thief’s. They are the same ones that don’t break into your locked car but will steal everything from an unlocked car.
Try out the cam locks and let us know how they work.
Happy and safe roads to you.

Tom Marty

[ntxnewbies]

Originally Posted by Mike639

If you’re saying having propane doors locked is illegal can you please provide specific code and/or statute which you are referring to? Preferably federal code as California laws are not enforceable in Iowa.

I believe it is the NTSB that governs that and the RVIA standards comply..
What a tank started leaking behind a locked door and the key was not handy? Well you could pry it open with a screwdriver and cause a spark ! Just saying.