How To Repair Keeler Camper Trailer Locks

by Steve Hingtgen, President of Vintage Trailer Supply

One of the showtime restoration projects many vintage trailer owners face is replacing or repairing the lock for the front door. Not only does your trailer need to be secure when you aren't around, it also needs to be secure when you lot are in transit. Highway speeds tin can make doors fly open up if the locks aren't working properly. A lock protects the door itself from harm.

Most vintage trailer locks are no longer made. Even so parts may be available to restore your old lock. Hither are some of the most mutual locks we see.

Bargman L-400: Obsolete and parts are hard to notice

This lock was made by the Theodore Bargman Company based in Detroit. While it has been obsolete since around 2002, this beauty was used in most Boler trailers around from the 1970-1990s. Its paddle handle design was popular with trailer users because information technology allowed for information technology to fit flush with the exterior of the trailer.

Keeler (KBC): Obsolete and nosotros have a few parts

The Keeler lock is another lock that utilized the paddle handle design, nevertheless, this rectangular model had a vertical orientation rather than horizontal.

Information technology was made by the Keeler Contumely Visitor and used from 1978-1990 in nigh Airstreams and also Fleetwing trailers.

Although this model has been obsolete since around the 1980s, nosotros accept reproduced the exterior handle, our VTS-929, and you tin can encounter it here. We too reproduced the unique latchbolt. Information technology is our VTS-463, and you can see it here.

KT: Still fabricated just extremely expensive. Parts are available.

This paddle handle lock is still being used today and holds a horizontal orientation. This model was typically used in the Airstream (1970-1977). This detail lock is still sold by Airstream dealers in like versions.

Safety Trailer Lock Mfg Co. Flush Type Lock

These locks are unique because they are not used like a traditional trailer lock. Unlike other locks, these affluent-type locks require a special technique to lock your vintage trailer. The cardinal is turned to unlock the vehicle and the handle is turned to open the door just like a normal door lock, still, the vehicle is locked past pushing the handle in rather than with a key. These locks were normally found on the 1940 Elcar and 1946-1948 Spartan trailers.

Chesler T5 Lock

Chesler T-five locks had several options for outside handle. There was a smooth circular knob, and there was a long lever often with the trailer manufacturer similar Streamline, Airstream or Vacation embossed on it.

A like model is the Bargman L-100 and the Bargman L-200. While these locks were very similar and fit the same openings as the Chesler locks, the Bargman locks came with a serrated (jagged) grip rather than shine.

Chesler T5 parts are mostly not bachelor. However, we ocasionaly have cylinders/keys and latchbolts.

Decker 1040

This simple lock was used from 1949-1960. The zinc-plated lock was used on a variety of dissimilar trailers including the 1946-1947 Spartan, the 1949 Westcraft Tahoe, and the 1950 Yellowstone trailers. The replacement Decker 1040 B is yet available for sale here as our VTS-888.

Bargman L-66 (Before/Later Style)

This model past the Bargman company was used in about every trailer from 1950-2008. With its horizontal orientation, this chrome-finished lock included a "panic release" feature. Different the 50-400 model, the earlier L-66 was high quality and made to be durable for years on cease. Despite the old version of the Fifty-66, which is still in service on some trailers, the newer Fifty-66 models were unfortunately made with less quality. Non only were they not as durable, simply they were as well difficult to manage because the cylinders made for these locks were hard to replace.

Bargman L-77

Although the L-77 looks very similar to the L-66 models, this particular lock has a vertical orientation rather than a horizontal 1. Obsolete since the early 1960s, the L-77 was used in the Airstream and Silver Streak around 1958-1961. Despite its similar pattern, this model cannot exist used interchangeably with the L-66 model locks.

L-54 or L-55 Lock with H20-2 Handle or other handle and cylinder with flip comprehend

Considering of its innovative and complex features, the H20-2 handle was used mostly on high-end trailers during the time period of 1948-1958. This handle was known for its extreme flexibility to piece of work with a variety of unlike trailers such equally the Airfloat, Spartan, Lintzcraft, and more. The handle was jump-loaded and so that it could move in and out of the fashion of other objects in the way. It could them be pushed dorsum into its original place. Non only was it spring-loaded, merely since it was fabricated with a round pattern, the key opening placement too as the handle placement could be adapted according to preference.