Replace door lock on Coleman Pop-Up

[curryp]

So, I travel two hours to my sister's camp and park the PU and get ready to set it up. Ah #*%&!! I forgot the key at home! :mad: After wedging the top of the PU up enough so we could reach in and grab the crank we lift the top up. The local MacGyver, my husband and I decide it is best to cut the pin that goes into the door instead of cutting through the inside wall that is behind the locking mechanism. The thought was it is easier to replace the mechanism than repair a hole in the camper wall. My husband pryed the door open enough for MacGyver to use a cordless recriprocating saw and cut the pin and the door opened.

We were able to put a bungee over the top of the door and onto the bar of the step to keep the door closed while traveling. When I got home I used the key and unlocked the lock, removed the two screws and tried to remove the locking mechanism but could not.

Now to my question -  [COLOR="Red"]how do I replace the entire locking mechanism for the small door that closes up the camper, including the pin?[/COLOR] It seems there is no easy way to access the entire mechanism.

[wavery]

So, I travel two hours to my sister's camp and park the PU and get ready to set it up. Ah #*%&!! I forgot the key at home! :mad: After wedging the top of the PU up enough so we could reach in and grab the crank we lift the top up. The local MacGyver, my husband and I decide it is best to cut the pin that goes into the door instead of cutting through the inside wall that is behind the locking mechanism. The thought was it is easier to replace the mechanism than repair a hole in the camper wall. My husband pryed the door open enough for MacGyver to use a cordless recriprocating saw and cut the pin and the door opened.

We were able to put a bungee over the top of the door and onto the bar of the step to keep the door closed while traveling. When I got home I used the key and unlocked the lock, removed the two screws and tried to remove the locking mechanism but could not.

Now to my question -  [COLOR="Red"]how do I replace the entire locking mechanism for the small door that closes up the camper, including the pin?[/COLOR] It seems there is no easy way to access the entire mechanism.

Finding the part would be the 1st step....Once you find the part, I believe that the door is held together with aluminum pop-rivets. The rivets are easy to drill out. After replacing the mechanism, it's just a matter of pop-riveting the door back together using the same holes. It's really a lot easier than it sounds. You just need a drill, a pop-rivet gun ($20 at HomeDepot) and some 1/8" or 3/16" pop-rivets. Sometimes you get a selection with the new rivet gun. However, a box is only about $4. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=7356

The other alternative would be to just find a new locking mechanism that requires drilling or cutting a hole through the door. Here's some examples:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/RV-Camper-Motorhome-Black-Door-Lock_W0QQitemZ280364706299QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_RV_Trailer_Camper_Parts_Accessories?hash=item414709e9fb&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1171

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-Baggage-Door-Locks-for-RV-Camper-Trailer-7-8_W0QQitemZ370163692848QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_RV_Trailer_Camper_Parts_Accessories?hash=item562f79b530&_trksid=p4506.m20.l1116

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/truck-semi-cargo-trailer-DOOR-HANDLE-latch-lock-NEW-rv_W0QQitemZ270357136214QQcmdZViewItemQQptZOther_Vehicle_Parts?hash=item3ef28a8356&_trksid=p4506.m20.l1116

[dkutz]

So, I travel two hours to my sister's camp and park the PU and get ready to set it up. Ah #*%&!! I forgot the key at home! :mad: After wedging the top of the PU up enough so we could reach in and grab the crank we lift the top up. The local MacGyver, my husband and I decide it is best to cut the pin that goes into the door instead of cutting through the inside wall that is behind the locking mechanism. The thought was it is easier to replace the mechanism than repair a hole in the camper wall. My husband pryed the door open enough for MacGyver to use a cordless recriprocating saw and cut the pin and the door opened.

We were able to put a bungee over the top of the door and onto the bar of the step to keep the door closed while traveling. When I got home I used the key and unlocked the lock, removed the two screws and tried to remove the locking mechanism but could not.

Now to my question -  [COLOR="Red"]how do I replace the entire locking mechanism for the small door that closes up the camper, including the pin?[/COLOR] It seems there is no easy way to access the entire mechanism.

funny I just saw one a few weeks ago on Epay...

[hoppy]

Although this information may be a tad late and won't help you at all now.....
but did you know all the keys for all the locks are the same for the Coleman / Fleetwood / FTCA  PU's?
 You could have asked anyone at the campground with a Coleman (they are pretty common as you might have noticed) to borrow their key. Keep this in mind for the next time this may happen. My SIL and I both own Coleman's, and on several occasions they have needed to borrow my key for one reason or another..

Now on to the problem at hand. Simply go to your nearest dealer and purchase a new lock assembly and key and install it. The dealer can tell you the easiest / quickest method they use to access and install it. Most good dealers will be glad to give you this information.

[curryp]

Thanks Wavery for the tips. I did see the pop rivets on the frame of the door and do own a pop rivet gun and a drill, so will take the old one out. I wasn't sure before if that was the best way to get to the mechanism.  I appreciate the links to eBay for new locks. I think I'll try to contact a Coleman dealer to see if I can purchase an OEM lock and if not pursue other options.

Hoppy - Thanks for the tip, but I wasn't at a campground, I was at my sister's camp. I guess I could have called a local Coleman dealer to get a key, but the nearest one was probably 45 minutes away and the cordless saw was two minutes away.

[tlhdoc]

but did you know all the keys for all the locks are the same for the Coleman / Fleetwood / FTCA  PU's?

Not quite.  There are two different keys.  Older trailers (the exact date slips my mind) have a different key.  My 1985 had the old key and my 1999 has the new key.

[PattieAM]

My 06 Niagara has two keys, and my neighbor who just got a 1987 Coleman was able to use my keys which saved him lots of time/effort.

[tlhdoc]

My 06 Niagara has two keys, and my neighbor who just got a 1987 Coleman was able to use my keys which saved him lots of time/effort.

What are the numbers on your two keys?  What do the different keys open?  Stock from Coleman/Fleetwood/Coleman there are only 2 keys.