Help on door upgrade!!!!!

[mprincesr]

I'm thinking of doing a upgrade to my enclosed trailer door right now it has the bar lock on it witch is OK but if I where in town staying in the trailer I would like to have a RV style door handle like the one I see on Bob's and many others out there. I have had this trailer since 2000 and it was used for storing work tools for all those years an had no need to change the locking setup but now that I'm retired I think the RV style door lock would be more stealthy say like in a Walmart lot or some other places where you really don't want to have the bar lock open would be a dead give away. So has anyone ever done one of these installs on a blank door and if so how hard is it to get the holes lined up. I have done many locks on regular house door but never on a RV type door lock. Any thoughts will be deeply appreciated.  Thanks.

 

[highdesertranger]

you could just get a whole rv door frame and screen door. this is one piece like a pre hung door and jamb. install that in place of the of the cargo door. then you get a small window and a screen door to let air in when you want. my 2 cents. highdesertranger

 

[masterplumber]

I added an RV lock to mine, mostly for convenience. I still have the bar lock as it's more secure when the trailer is parked somewhere and I'm not around. I added another clasp to the side of the trailer to lock the bar lock open so no one can lock me in. It wasn't to tough to install, but they don't come with instructions as they are made to be replacements. Just look at how it supposed to operate for a while and as always, measure 4 or 5 times before drilling and cutting. BTW, I didn't replace my door as it is larger than any standard RV door and would have cost a fortune to special order. I added an RV lock, a window, and paneled the inside for well under $100. I would like a screen door however so if your door is closer to standard - maybe check RV Salvage yards.

 

[mprincesr]

you could just get a whole rv door frame and screen door.  this is one piece like a pre hung door and jamb.  install that in place of the of the cargo door.  then you get a small window and a screen door to let air in when you want.  my 2 cents.  highdesertranger

Thanks for the reply but replacing the door would cost more then the upgrade would be worth. The door is wider and shorter then an Rv door so would have to be a custom door. But thanks for you thoughts.

 

[mprincesr]

I added an RV lock to mine, mostly for convenience. I still have the bar lock as it's more secure when the trailer is parked somewhere and I'm not around. I added another clasp to the side of the trailer to lock the bar lock open so no one can lock me in. It wasn't to tough to install, but they don't come with instructions as they are made to be replacements. Just look at how it supposed to operate for a while and as always, measure 4 or 5 times before drilling and cutting. BTW, I didn't replace my door as it is larger than any standard RV door and would have cost a fortune to special order. I added an RV lock, a window, and paneled the inside for well under $100. I would like a screen door however so if your door is closer to standard - maybe check RV Salvage yards.

Thanks Masterplumber I was thinking of doing the same with mine. I have the lock on order and will spend some time measuring several times. Will post the install in photo's.

 

[highdesertranger]

I bet you could pick a used one up pretty cheap at a junk yard. the thing about the bar locks is if you are sleeping inside it's pretty easy for someone to lock you in. highdesertranger

 

[mprincesr]

I bet you could pick a used one up pretty cheap at a junk yard.  the thing about the bar locks is if you are sleeping inside it's pretty easy for someone to lock you in.  highdesertranger

I thought the same thing highdesertranger and have decided to do like masterplummer did and put another bar lock on the side of the trailer and that way I can keep the bar locked in the open possession when one is sleeping inside I found one on Ebay for $5.00 just a matter of mounting it on the side.