Spare Key - lesson learned (the hard way)

[cat]

I always carry a spare key when I travel. On my last trip while parked by the
beach, I stepped out of the van. Unfortunately, my little dog likes to see where
I am and jumped from seat to seat, this time she locked me out (not sure how she
did it). Usually I carry my keys in my pocket, the spare keys are in the van --
you guessed it, all the keys were in the van. The neighboring campers called
AAA, who came to unlock the door.

Lessen learned, the spare key doesn't do any good left in the van therefore,
I bought a magnetic key holder right away, thankgoodness the Ford bumpers are
still metal.
carol

[Bethers]

I wouldn't say where you put the key - hahah - yes, I have a spare key outside my rig - every now and then I check to make sure it hasn't gone missing. Course, cuz I have it haven't needed it. But it does make me happy to know it's there.

[avalen]

daughter has my spare set but it definately would be a good idea to make another
set and hide somewhere.

[Liz]

I learned that same lesson in Alaska. Locked 2 dogs and a cat inside. AAA to the rescue, and I now also have a key hidden outside.

[pattyk]

I have a duplicate set of keys for everything except the deadbolt for the entry door. Nobody seems to be able to make one that works. I think I am going to have the deadbolt changed. That's the most important key for my MH. I'm pretty good about my keys (knock on wood) but you never know when something might happen.

[snowball]

we too have hidden ones did you all know that some keys (rv) fit other rv's? we had heard of it and one time while searching for our 5th wheel the doors on the basement where locked so we tried the ones from our wilderness trailer sure enough they worked!!! Just recently I was talking with a friend and she was telling me that her neighbors rv key fits theirs which did surprise me as they weren't (the rigs) related!!! as a Montana and a Mountaneer would be as they are both Keystone.... and they were motor homes not trailers to me that is scary have often thought ought to have brother in law change my locks but haven't done it yet...
sheila

[Nasoosie]

The best thing I ever did for myself was make sure I got the keypad combination lock/unlock thingy on my truck! After years of agonizing over leaving keys locked in truck or car, I now do not have to worry any more. (Unless, of course, the battery goes dead,) but, so far, I have never left my keys in the truck in spite of having the keypad thing---it's just such a comfort to me. If I had to leave Molly in the truck with it 100 degrees outside to quickly run into a store somewhere for groceries or some essential, I could leave the truck and AC running with the doors locked. (She's always in her travel cage in the truck, so she couldn't put it in gear accidentally, either!) I've never had to do that, but nice to know it's a possibility!

[AlmostThere]

I've heard that all RV keys are the same but for the deadbolts. True? Would be interesting to find out but don't think I'll be going around any campground trying my key in everyone's locks!

[Pooker]

I, too, have a hidden key. Most RVs have a lot of places to hide one with outside cabinets, hot water heaters, etc. Right after I hid mine, I needed it! Somehow the side door lock dropped the latch down when I slammed it and both cab doors were locked. Glad I had my spare key!

Unfortunately, a lot of key set companies only have a certain number of different keys. Back East, one of our neighbor's kids locked her out when she went for the mail! No amount of begging, yelling, threatening, would make the toddler unlock the door. We all got together with our door keys and, sure enough - one of them worked on her front door!

But let's not panic too much. I haven't heard of many folks RVing who have had someone break into their rigs with a duplicate key. Actually, I have never heard of even one, and I've met a lot of campers over the years. Breaking in, yes - through a window usually, but using a key - nope! So I'd say the odds are in our favor.

Evie

[Getupngo]

With my RV, I've thought about hiding a key to my bay doors in one of the "open" (non-lockable) bays, then hiding an ignition key in another, locked bay. Am I too anal?

[Liz]

[b]The best thing I ever did for myself was make sure I got the keypad combination lock/unlock thingy on my truck! [b]

Ok, I have a campfire story to tell about this. I once had a Ford with a keypad entry. Went with a friend to canoe on the Oklawaha River for the day. I decided rather than risk capsizing and losing my keys out of my pocket in the river, I'd simply lock them in the car and use the keypad when we got back.

After a day in the sun on the water we caught the ride back to the canoe outpost. My mind must have been fried 'cause I couldn't remember my code to save my life. I tried several combinations to no avail. Finally I went into the ladies room and sat on the throne to meditate. The oupost operators must have wondered what was taking me so long in there. After several minutes of quiet "meditation," the correct combination did come to me, but I never locked my keys inside deliberately again.

[BirdbyBird]

Unless you tape the combination written out on some electrical tape inside some place!

[carold]

Here's our story. We usually have a spare key outside somewhere, (since the one time we got locked out of our Class C) but don't knowwhy we didn't with this MH. Anyways, my tGM locked both our set of keys in the car while in Oregon. Of course, being the brilliant woman that I am I had decided when we got our Class A to always leave one of the front windows unlocked. So, tGM hitched me up to the driver side window, I slid it open, and was able to crawl in and unlock the door. The people who had pulled in next to us, asked if this was our MH. I said "No, we just liked the look of it and wanted to see the inside" Now we have keys "hidden" in both the MH and car. carold

[mitch5252]

Here's our story. We usually have a spare key outside somewhere, (since the one time we got locked out of our Class C) but don't knowwhy we didn't with this MH. Anyways, my tGM locked both our set of keys in the car while in Oregon. Of course, being the brilliant woman that I am I had decided when we got our Class A to always leave one of the front windows unlocked. So, tGM hitched me up to the driver side window, I slid it open, and was able to crawl in and unlock the door. The people who had pulled in next to us, asked if this was our MH. I said "No, we just liked the look of it and wanted to see the inside" Now we have keys "hidden" in both the MH and car. carold

Carol, I meant to ask you this before and got sidetracked...what's tGM? Totally Good Man?

[carold]

Well Mitch, this is the story. DH didn't think that "DH" quite told his story, so he asked to be referred to as "the Great Man" Personally, I've had quite a few ideas about what to call him at different points in our life together and some unmentionables but figured if I gave into this I could put that into my "bank" for future use. carold