A camper door key has been a source of frustration for decades. The more you use it, the less likely it is to find it. So, how can you unlock a camper door without a key? We are here to help!
Camper doors are permanent fixtures on a motorhome. This means once you lock the door, there’s no way you can get back inside without the key. For most people, the only way to get back inside is to locate a locksmith. A locksmith can actually help you get that door opened if you are lucky enough to be around one.
But picture this, you are miles away from home and camping and then you slam the door shut! No, where to go, your phone is probably locked inside the camper what do you do? This happened to me once and I must say, it was the longest day of my entire life. After the experience, I had to learn how to unlock a camper door without a key.
No one hopes for back luck, however, learning these tricks would be you just “playing safe” because as a camper, you never can tell what the future holds.
Table of Contents
Stay Calm
If you are locked out of your camper, do not panic, stay calm. Things happen. You are not the first person to lock yourself out and you certainly won’t be the last.
While the thought of being locked outside in a van without a key can fill you with a momentary sense of panic, it is important to realize that there are some options for dealing with this situation.
Panicking will do you less harm than good. Trust me, after reading this article, you will definitely find a way to get into your camper.
Are Camper Entry Door Keys The Same?
It’s very possible they could be. Usually, there’s a high tendency that your neighbor is going to have the same entrance key to your camper or RV as you do.
This could be an advantage and disadvantage when you can’t find your keys, you can always try your neighbor’s entry door key on your camper and it opens, however, this could create a security risk by giving someone who is looking for an opportunity easy access to your home on wheels.
6 Steps To Unlock A Camper
There are many scenarios where you may find yourself in need of getting into your camper without a key. Unfortunately, the necessity for a spare key is not always thought of.
Do not fret, though! There are other options to get you inside your camper.
Step 1: Check For Other Openings
Are you eager to break down your RV door? Just hold on a bit!
Checking for other openings in your RV would be a great way to get in and open the door from the inside, or better still, get the keys stuck inside. I remember when my cousin had to pass his little brother through the emergency window of the camper truck.
If you are locked out of your camper when camping, there is a way to get in the camper if there are any openings on the vehicle. It is essential that you find latch holes and access panels that you can use to get back inside the RV.
These openings could potentially give you entrance to the camper without needing an expensive locksmith or replacement door. Once you locate places like these, try prying them open with tools like a screwdriver, pliers, or small chisel. Doing this might cause damage to your camper while trying.
I would suggest trying out this option if you do not have a better option.
Step 2: The Back Door?
If you are at home and the front door is locked, you can still get into the house through the back door. Right? The same logic applies to some camper versions. If your camper has a back door, you might want to check it. You just might be lucky.
Your RV doesn’t have a back door? That’s fine, there are a couple of other options to try out. Check out the next possible solution below.
Step 3: Pick The Lock
Locksmiths are expensive and will charge you high for unlocking your camper door. But guess what? You can unlock the lock yourself without having to hire anyone. However, picking locks is an art that takes years of practice to get right.
Here’s what you will need;
- 2 bobby pins
Understand The Lock
The first step to picking a lock is understanding the pattern of the lock. Doing this will help significantly reduce the amount of time spent trying to pick the lock. For this tutorial, we would be looking at a deadbolt lock with a double cylinder.
For this deadbolt lock, the main idea is to use two bobby pins, one would have to be put inside the lock to push the pins inside the deadbolt lock, while the other would serve as the wrench for opening the lock. There’s no specific order to push the pins, you’ll just have to keep trying till it eventually opens.
Construct The Bobby Pins
As said earlier, you will need two bobby pins. The first pin would be the pick, you’ll have to straighten or flatten the end of the pin using a hammer. The pin has to be a bit straight with some little bends. It should look like the picture below.
The other pin you’ll need will serve as a wrench. Get a new bobby pin, open it up and bend the end of the bobby pin. The second pin should look like the image below.
Inserting The Pins
As I said, the second pin is what you would use to turn open the lock. Make sure it is in place and ready to turn to the position you would normally turn to if you had the key with you. After putting the second pin in place, it should look like the image below.
The first bobby pin is what would help loosen up the pins inside the lock, thus enabling you to open the lock by turning the wrench.
Insert the first bobby pin inside the lock pushing the pins up in no specific order with your other hand on the wrench trying to turn it open as you would with a key.
You might not get it right at first but keep trying. Below are some do’s and don’ts while performing this lock picking.
- Do not apply too much pressure on the lock.
- Be patient.
Step 4: Try Another Campers Key
If you can’t seem to unlock your camper door using step 4 above, you can try this step. Now I know what you ARE thinking, How on earth can a camper key from another make or model be used to unlock my camper door?
The truth is most camper keys are alike, and you might be lucky enough to find your perfect match. I mean, there’s no harm in trying.
Step 5: Consult Camp Staff
You can try this step if you are in a campground with a couple of staff on duty. The lock on your camper door can be opened with a universal camper key from the staff. They use these keys all the time to help people who have been locked out of their motorhome, and they could help you too in the event of an emergency.
Step 6: Contact A Locksmith
If you've tried the emergency window option, your house keys, a coat hanger-- anything and everything you can imagine to open your camper door and the door still won't budge, calling a locksmith is your final option.
A locksmith would likely charge you high for his or her services, however, they are licensed to pick locks and have unimaginable tools that help them do their work. With a locksmith on your side, your RV door wouldn’t stand a chance.
Other Tips For Next Time
Have A Spare Key: You should consider having a spare key, a locksmith can create one for you. Be sure to hide it outside your camper for emergencies.
Install A Keyless Lock: If you are like my father who would always misplace his keys, having a keyless lock can help. With this type of lock, you would simply need to enter a code to unlock the entry door to the RV.
Final Words
We have come to the end of this article on how to unlock a camper door without a key. This may seem like just a few lines of text but it took hours and days to put together. Now it is your turn to decide if it was worth the time, or not. Hopefully, you’ve found this information interesting and useful. If you thought it was beneficial, please share it with your friends and family. Remember, knowledge is only power if it is shared.
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