removing a broken key in RV flush lock

[cookiedough]

Well,  if I didn't have bad luck, I'd have NO luck at all. 

I picked up after 12 total hours of driving almost my new enclosed trailer.  Got home last night at 7:30 p.m. leaving at 5:30 a.m.. 

Anyways,  I wanted to go out in the dark to see the LED lighting inside to see if it was bright enough with 2 lights one in back and one in front.  I went to open the side door RV style flush lock and darn door would NOT open after moving they key one way, then the other.  Then, went the other way and tried again but somehow the darn key would NOT turn back upright NOR pull out.  I jiggled the key a tad with my flashlight on it (was dark out) and SNAP, the key broke off FLUSH INSIDE the RV style flush lock side door all the way in as well.

NOw what?  I tried going inside and there is a red plastic lock/unlock feature and that is NOT operable either being able to un-do the deadbolt lock from the inside which you should be able to do either maybe/maybe not due to the key being stuck in the mechanism on the outside.

I tried using a small/tiny screwdriver and pin clip, etc. and tried prying it out but NO luck is in there good as it was last night in the dark when getting home could NOT remove it then or turn it either. 

AND YES, it was the right key used before you ask.  NOW WHAT??

It does have a 3 year warranty basically bumper to bumper from any dealer, but that means driving over 1 hour to nearest dealer to probably get it covered under the mfgs. 3 year warranty brand new.

Is a basic RV style flush lock side door.    I wonder how much a  somewhat local locksmith would cost to remove the mechanism/tumbler inside (small key hole/round part of the RV flush lock part) and cut 2 new keys for me?

Maybe my fault, but it should have opened no problems, wonder what happened?  The key went in fine and did remove it 1-2 times and able to turn 2-3 times before the 3-4th time inserting it got stuck not able to turn or remove the darn key.   Pissed me off never before broke a key ever in my life and probably made in China key since I didn't flex the key much at all just jiggling it back and forth a tad is all.   

Either way, going to call the mfg./dealer where I bought it from since he did tell me anything goes wrong in 3 years under warranty, to give him a call.  I bet he won't expect me to call so soon same day I bought it the RV lock failed.    I now wish the fancier, not as secure, RV style deadbolt lock was a basic barn door that I could just flip up and move the bar on over and use my own master lock in the barn door hole clasp.

[six2go #152]

I suppose ya could get one of the ladies at work(the ones who do nothing but gossip and file their nails during the shift) to try to pick it out with her perfectly manicured nail. 

[cookiedough]

I suppose ya could get one of the ladies at work(the ones who do nothing but gossip and file their nails during the shift) to try to pick it out with her perfectly manicured nail. 

Heaven forbid they would break a nail.  Is very odd though the door would not open and I know either the 1st or 2nd time I had to turn the deadbolt the right way and door would still not open.  3rd or 4th time doing it the key got stuck inside all the way,  could not turn the key in the small round tumbler or pull the key out.   Then, jiggle a little, then SNAP.  Great way to end the 6 hour drive home.  Went to bed soon after, after I calmed down just a tad from snapping the key. 

Pretty sure the mfg. will stand behind it, but really don't want to drive yet another 130 miles total to nearest dealer of that mfg.  I thought when picking it up trying out the lock the door seemed somewhat hard to unlock the deadbolt key, but it did work at the mfg plant when I picked it up. 

I thought for sure the red plastic 'unlock deadbolt' lever from the inside would even work even if the key is snapped off on the outside, but no go either, won't budge at all. 

[czuch]

Maybe time for dental tools. H/F has em for just a couple of dollars.
Locksmith might be 100^.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I suppose ya could get one of the ladies at work(the ones who do nothing but gossip and file their nails during the shift) to try to pick it out with her perfectly manicured nail. 

[blackvalk]

Have you tried spraying it with a lubricant? If it was not smooth to begin with, possibly the tumblers are sticky.

You never know and the selling dealer might just tell you to take it to a local locksmith and they will reimburse you.

[BnB Tom]

If you weren't able to return the key to the "insert/removal" position...  you're NOT going to get the broken piece out!
  I'd get the dealer to handle it.  Probably have to replace it after a locksmith tears it up.  Not many options.

  From your resident locksmith.

[Pappy!]

Climb in through the window?
Neighbors would just think you had been watching "Christmas Vacation"......

[six2go #152]

I suppose ya could get one of the ladies at work(the ones who do nothing but gossip and file their nails during the shift) to try to pick it out with her perfectly manicured nail. 

Heh,heh! Somebody gets it. 

[The emperor has no clothes]

I suppose ya could get one of the ladies at work(the ones who do nothing but gossip and file their nails during the shift) to try to pick it out with her perfectly manicured nail. 

Heh,heh! Somebody gets it. 

It is a shame that a certain somebody didn't though. 

[BudMan]

I've had to take one out of an old trailer of mine once and as I remember it (dangerous ground here)
 Once I took out the screws from the inside of the lock it split in half with the outer and inner portions splitting then it came out easily. HOWEVER, it was not locked at the time.

[cookiedough]

Yah,  not going to come out no way now.  I sprayed it twice now real good and let it sit.  I got ahold of both sides pretty good with my tiny ice fishing pliers that lock it in place.  I jiggle and pulled somewhat lightly and kept trying and trying for 30 minutes before I finally broke the one side barely sticking out of the hole.  Still have one small side left to grab onto, but 99% it is stuck for good.

I will call the mfg. where I bought it from and ask them to see what they want me to do.  Assuming 3 year warranty the locks should be covered for one day since same day picked up,  same day key got stuck.  I'm hoping they will let me take it to a local locksmith and get reimbursed but doubt it.  More than likely have to go to nearest mfg's dealer and let them replace the entire RV lock latch being 3x4" is all and bolted in place is all and then re-caulked around the bracket. 

[Hooter]

Did you say it had 2 doors?  Nope ya didn't say that...

[cookiedough]

no 2 doors, just the side door is broken lock. Has a front and rear ramp barn door though like a snowmobile trailer with NO RV style flush lock on front/back ramp doors being long bar swing out barn door locks that cannot fail internally.

I emailed selling mfg. dealer 2x's now and asked to see what he wanted me to do.  I haven't even mailed back the warranty card yet but they say has to be done in 10 days from delivery better get cracking on that.   

[Grumpy]

does the door have hinges that are bolted from the outside, possibly remove the door that way and be able to remove the lock from the door that way.

[gregk]

I got very lucky at removing broken keys on Postal trucks by using a new ,  I say new small drill bit each time by starting the bit  in the thickest part of the key towards the bottom ,go in just barely enough so you can angle the bit going up At an angle maybe 45deg.  Don't hurry don't slip . When our in about 1/16 to 3/32 leave the bit stuck in the key and remove the key from the drill then you can play with the key.You should be able to pull the key right out.  Worked for me every time.

[Bighead]

I got very lucky at removing broken keys on Postal trucks by using a new ,  I say new small drill bit each time by starting the bit  in the thickest part of the key towards the bottom ,go in just barely enough so you can angle the bit going up At an angle maybe 45deg.  Don't hurry don't slip . When our in about 1/16 to 3/32 leave the bit stuck in the key and remove the key from the drill then you can play with the key.You should be able to pull the key right out.  Worked for me every time.

The key STUCK is why it broke is what I gathered from his post so a small drill bit don't stand a chance.

[Rams]

I've got some friends who work in demolition, pretty sure I can come up with some C4 or similar material.   We'll get that door open one way or another. 

[cookiedough]

mfg. will send me a new entire assembly and I have to send old one back to them.  Pretty sure I can assemble it myself without driving 65 miles one way to nearest dealer?

I doubt drill bit will be able to go into the key at an angle at thickest part since thickest part is 1/16" wide tops.  NOT a car key just one of those tiny/thin keys is all it is. 

Good idea though for a car key.  I can try it, but like said,  the key stuck inside first, so doubt ANYTHING will remove it.

I wiggled very small precision screwdrivers made for glasses, etc. on each side into the hole and pried somewhat hard without breaking the screwdrivers and doubt anything would budge it is stuck for good.

I will have to break the caulking seal though and re-do that if all works well?

[six2go #152]

All of this going on for how long? If ya would have just hooked it up to your truck and made the 65 mi drive, it would probably be all fixed by now and you could give it a rest.

[The emperor has no clothes]

All of this going on for how long? If ya would have just hooked it up to your truck and made the 65 mi drive, it would probably be all fixed by now and you could give it a rest.

I'm still holding out hope for the coworkers fixing it. 

[RainMaker]

All of this going on for how long? If ya would have just hooked it up to your truck and made the 65 mi drive, it would probably be all fixed by now and you could give it a rest.

Agreed with six2go.  What if you break something else while doing this repair?  Will your work be covered under their warranty?  I would have just driven it back to get fixed, betting they would give me a free wash, accessory or something else to say they were sorry.

[cookiedough]

Yah,  going to have to go back to a mfg. dealer closer by, not driving it 5 hours back to the factory where I bought it from.  Besides RV lock,  I found a few other minor issues that needs attention like a poor aluminum welding job holding on my rear stabilizer jacks looks like a 3rd grader welded one side onto the frame,  two spots of not enough caulking on the one piece roofline today while up on my house roof cleaning out the eastrophes with leaves, and a few other minor issues worth noting as well. 

You are right on the warranty though, what if I mess up something installing the new RV lock from the mfg. in Indiana?  Might as well use the 3 year warranty since mfg. defects on all of them, although besides RV lock,  are minor.