Locking your door while traveling.

[BGMAC]

In another thread someone mentioned using the deadbolt on their door during travel. My question is how many people do this and why? This is just a general question.

I personally don’t use a deadbolt while traveling. The reasons are: 1. In case of an emergency, emergency crews would have easy entry into the motor home. 2. If we needed to get out quick we would not have to fumble with several latch’s to get out.

what are your thoughts?

 

[Buly]

It was me. We had instances where the door popped up (not all the way) and was causing annoying wind noise at high speeds.
So, by engaging the dead bolt, was making sure it stays fully closed. Also no one can walk up to the coach in city traffic and pull the door open.
I lock the toad doors too while towing for the same reason.
But it is up to every owner to decide how to run his coach. I'm sure some will disagree with me and hurt my feelings ?

 

[NWIP]

On a previous older coach we would always use the deadbolt for the same reason as @Buly. With the PTL door with the double latch we only use the auto lock that occurs when in drive

 

[Kevin D Pem]

It was me. We had instances where the door popped up (not all the way) and was causing annoying wind noise at high speeds.
So, by engaging the dead bolt, was making sure it stays fully closed. Also no one can walk up to the coach in city traffic and pull the door open.
I lock the toad doors too while towing for the same reason.
But it is up to every owner to decide how to run his coach. I'm sure some will disagree with me and hurt my feelings ?

OK @Buly I guess I will hurt your feelings what do I need to do to lock the door, let alone use the deadbolt.

 

[Buly]

Kevin, the Newmar has a two step latch like a car door, plus a separate dead bolt. I have no idea what kind of a larch there is on your RV?

 

[Joe Dutchstar]

FWIW, we are travelling in a Class A RV and always lock the door with deadbolt when traveling as well as verify all basement doors are secure and locked. The house portion of most RVs, Class A and C, are made as light as possible, are flexible by design to avoid cracking during travel and consequently flex (alot) during travel. Simple 'push to close' latches can easily come open during the flexing of the house during travel.
I have seen and experienced latches opening during travel.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

FWIW, we are travelling in a Class A RV and always lock the door with deadbolt when traveling as well as verify all basement doors are secure and locked. The house portion of most RVs, Class A and C, are made as light as possible, are flexible by design to avoid cracking during travel and consequently flex (alot) during travel. Simple 'push to close' latches can easily come open during the flexing of the house during travel.
I have seen and experienced latches opening during travel.

Did a post on the build out of my 95 Winny. I mentioned the flex problem that needed attention if you were going to modify anything or take the chance you would have problems in the future.

 

[AbdRahim]

I always lock all locks at all times, even in my driveway. No sense in taking chance. The only time I left it unlocked for a short time was when I thought I might have to call an ambulance. Fortunately, I did not and subsequently re-locked the door. The world is too dangerous a place these days. I even lock the deadbolt while gassing up.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

I always lock all locks at all times, even in my driveway. No sense in taking chance. The only time I left it unlocked for a short time was when I thought I might have to call an ambulance. Fortunately, I did not and subsequently re-locked the door. The world is too dangerous a place these days. I even lock the deadbolt while gassing up.

Wow. I am just not attached to things.

 

[AbdRahim]

Experienced a break in when I was 17, with my little sister in the house. Every dollar I earned was too painful to let someone walk away with it. In my mind locks are there to dissuade all but the most determined, so if I don’t use them and suffer loss, it is my own fault. I do admire your loose grip, though Kevin.

 

[BGMAC]

Sorry to here about your break in. We have been pretty fortunate over the years. Most of our locations were in areas of low crime like AF Bases and surrounding areas. Other times we lived in not so populated areas and neighbors are always keeping a close eye out for each other. We live so far back in the woods of our property many do not travel because there is only one escape route. The only thing we lock is the house which has a safe for important stuff, The rest is open including the motorhome with the keys in it.

As far as the door on the motorhome, we never had an issue of doors opening during travel, but even if it did it would not be an issue as the door is several feet behind us. We don't have doors up front so that is why we want a quick egress if we need it. Plus our lock is not so fancy. We have a handle and 2 latches that go in different directions and we have been through the process of turning one then the other then the first one you turned is now locked so you have to go back to it. Better for us to leave it unlocked during travel.

 

[RKins]

We lock our deadbolt while traveling for the same reason as @Buly. I also lock the bay doors - was driving one day and saw something in the mirror out of the corner of my eye. One of my gull-wing doors rose up the side (opened). Since that day I always lock them on drive day. Unfortunately I forget to unlock them when we arrive at the destination and have to go back in the coach to unlock them.

 

[FL-JOE]

I keep my coach door locked during travel along with my lower storage bays. To be honest, after seeing a couple videos that circulated earlier this year (peaceful protesters climbing on top of RVs stuck in traffic) I was investigating modifications to make my rear roof ladder removable.

But like someone said, everyone should do what makes them comfortable in these changing times.

 

[skychs]

This is a tough one. We keep our door unlocked when the coach is moving. Being a former Paramedic I tore a lot of doors/windows up trying to get inside to assist. Minutes often effect the outcome of an emergency. If I'm in a questionable area of town I may lock the door but I don't do it very often.

In our Ventana LE the steps can be raised so the floor is flat all the way to the door. It would take an intruder a couple extra seconds to figure out how to get in. Hopefully that would give me extra time to pull out the S&W.

 

[malexander]

I lock the deadbolt when traveling, had my door pop open a couple times when I didn't. Not so much when parked though, mostly leave everything unlocked.