Outside shower lock key

I have a 26' 2004 model Wildcat. Problem is I have not used my outside shower for about two years. When I tried to open it yesterday I can't get the lock to release and open the plastic door. Key fits and tumblers are not frozen but it won't open. Squirted it full of WD40 last night, today still not working. Am I using the wrong key? Is it the same key that fits all the other exterior storage compartment doors? Before I drill it out, any ideas????? Thanks in advance.

On my '06, its the same key as all the other doors.

Is the key turning at all?

If the key does turn, try looking from inside the basement, there should be room to look and maybe see if the latch is turning. Also, maybe room to get a screw driver in to help.

No, the key acts like it is not the right except for the fact that it goes in and out easily but is not hitting the tumblers correctly. I have tried every key I own thinking it was some other key other than the std hatch key, but no luck. I will wait a day or two and see if anyone else has an idea, then it will be drill it out and replace it. Thanks for you comments.

On my Wildcat it's the Old Famous CH751 key. You might try some Graphite powder along with the WD40. Lots of luck Jim

Hatch keys are the same for all hatches and usually the same for all trailers. Yes, my hatch key will probably open all the hatches on your trailer!

Ken, that is exactly the answer I was afraid I would get. grrrrr. I knew all the hatch keys were the same for basically all trailers. I like to open them at the sales lots when the sales folks are not around just to prowl and check stuff out. Shower doors were another matter, never use that thing. Oh well, guess I will drill it out tomorrow. Thanks for the assistance and fast response.

I'm sure someone on this forum has a spare lock set just waiting for your address.

I have a few thumb turn latches of anyone needs some.

Dieselguy,

Is it possible that the key is in upside down. Some of the 751 keys will fit the lock both ways, but of course only unlock in the rightside up mode. On the 751 locks there is a tiny arrow engraved on the face of lock which indicates which way the key goes in.

I changed all my 751 locks out for a new lockset. Ain't no one gettin' in my hatches without breakin em.

No, sorry I am inserting it the correct way. BUTTTTTT I do like your idea. Thanks for sharing that, may follow your lead.. Thanks.

dieselguy,i think your problem is that the nut that holds the whole mechinism in place came loose, the same thing happened to me on one of my side doors, i had to crawl through from the other side and tighten it back up, after getting out i tried the key and it worked fine, i then proceeded to open all the doors and tighten all the locks the easy way. If possible i would try this first before drilling it out. Not sure where your outside shower is but mine is accessible from the basement storage compartment, if yours is to, it's an easy fix if not sorry, Good Luck.

Thanks Mark, I will try that this morning.

I changed out all my OEM locks. Let me know if you need one.

I don't know what Scruffy did with all our old locks. He bought new locks and had them all keyed the same. Now our basement doors have two locks each.

Tater

OK, I have tried all the ideas, can\'t get to the back of the latch from inside without cutting into the interior wall, have tried graphite (nasty stuff) and the lock seems tight in the housing it is just like the key is not the correct key for the latch. more grrrrrr.

Scottz, if you still have one of those old locks I have a home for it. Send me a p.m. to neilb972-clubs@yahoo.com

Will be drilling tomorrow to see if that will get the thing open. Plastic access door and a carbide drill, not a good combination, this may be a costly problem before I am finished. Think duct tape will fix it once I get finished drilling??????

Thanks guys for all the comments and advice but sounds like major surgery is the only solution.

Yes forgive me, I will fill in my personal model data as soon as I post this, thanks for reminding me.

You could just leave it closed and not worry about it. We've had our CAT for 3 years now, and we've never used the outside shower.


PS, please update you signature with you model info.
Thanks...

dieselguy wrote:OK, I have tried all the ideas, can\'t get to the back of the latch from inside without cutting into the interior wall, have tried graphite (nasty stuff) and the lock seems tight in the housing it is just like the key is not the correct key for the latch. more grrrrrr.

Scottz, if you still have one of those old locks I have a home for it. Send me a p.m. to neilb972-clubs@yahoo.com

Will be drilling tomorrow to see if that will get the thing open. Plastic access door and a carbide drill, not a good combination, this may be a costly problem before I am finished. Think duct tape will fix it once I get finished drilling??????

Thanks guys for all the comments and advice but sounds like major surgery is the only solution.

Yes forgive me, I will fill in my personal model data as soon as I post this, thanks for reminding me.

I'll drop you a PM. If you mess the door up, I'd call FR and ask for a new door.

Since you are going to drill it anyway try turning it as hard as possible, maybe even some channel locks on it. I have a hatch lock that this summer gave the same symptoms. It does still turn. Just takes a lot of force. I tore it apart and clean it thuroughly. There is a tiny spring loaded ball bearing in there that like to rust.
Good luck.

Tried that extra pressure thing with a large slot screwdriver after I gave up on the key, no luck. Perhaps after I drill out the tumblers it will get easier. I am on uncharted ground here, wish me luck, going in tomorrow if the dang rain will just stop for a little while....

We are on pins and needles here to see how it went!!!!!

It has been raining here almost non stop and a few other things popped up. Sorry for the delay, maybe late today or tomorrow if it will STOP raining!!! Tired of the rain, need sun, and thanks for staying on me, gotta get this fixed before the freezing weather gets here.

OK guys it is done. Drilled it out this morning, got the line drained and winterized now all I need is a new lock. It drilled out really easily, no damage to the plastic door and all the hardware and latch was salvaged. All I had to destroy was the lock tumbler mechanism. Turned out to be the little 3/4 inch by 3/4 inch model lock and measures 5/8 inch across the flats of the threaded part. All I need now is to get a new lock and perhaps that will be taken care of by Scottz. Thanks guys for all your help with this simple but frustrating problem. Maybe next time I will have a real problem that will take us all to solve.

Glad it was that easy to fix.

dieselguy wrote:OK guys it is done. Drilled it out this morning, got the line drained and winterized now all I need is a new lock. It drilled out really easily, no damage to the plastic door and all the hardware and latch was salvaged. All I had to destroy was the lock tumbler mechanism. Turned out to be the little 3/4 inch by 3/4 inch model lock and measures 5/8 inch across the flats of the threaded part. All I need now is to get a new lock and perhaps that will be taken care of by Scottz. Thanks guys for all your help with this simple but frustrating problem. Maybe next time I will have a real problem that will take us all to solve.

I sent you an e-mail. I only have 1" locks because I did not change out the shower plumbing door lock which is the only 3/4" long lock on the cat. I'll be glad to send a 1" lock to you if it will work, but I doubt it will.

Perhaps someone else on the forum has a 3/4" lock available?

Thanks Scott, but I think you are right the 1" lock will not work. I will just pick you up next time I am in town.