shellatorg
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Post by shellatorg on Aug 17, 2015 12:24:28 GMT -8
I am wondering what people do with things like cameras when they go camping. I know I'm going to want to take mine with me, but that I'm not going to want to have it on my person every second. Is there a reason not to have the original Bergman lock? Is there a better way to secure the front door?
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Ten
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Post by Ten on Aug 17, 2015 12:47:00 GMT -8
Personally I am more worried about someone stealing the Bargman lock than my camera....  |
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Dave K
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Post by Dave K on Aug 17, 2015 14:37:40 GMT -8
If youre worried about your small belongings you can lock them in a small lockbox and hide it somewhere in your camper.
On the subject of Bargman, I am taking my lock to a locksmith tomorrow to see if he can make me a key for it. Fingers crossed!
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Ten
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Post by Ten on Aug 17, 2015 16:37:57 GMT -8
Most locksmiths worth their salt can do it, they are not that complex. Which really goes back to the subject of the thread...how secure can anything actually be behind a Bargman lock?
Security is something that was a little more of a given when these old trailers were made. Today, a lock box and a hidden compartment are not such a bad idea.
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lovnvintage
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Post by lovnvintage on Aug 17, 2015 17:13:33 GMT -8
I have had 2 rekeyed. On the last one, the first guy there said no way but the other kept trying keys and found the correct one. So they should be able to help you out. I had a girl in NE tell me her locksmith said no way so you might have to try more than one place. If it helps both of mine are small keys kinda like for a padlock. Good luck.
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chametzoo
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Post by chametzoo on Aug 17, 2015 17:30:23 GMT -8
Bargman locks are lovely old mechanical devices and look great on our trailers. But they won't keep a teenager with a screwdriver out! I've got one on my door and I'm also adding a Schlage deadbolt as well. But the advice here on trying to conceal a few small valuables in a discreet or secret compartment is a good idea too... So is insurance.
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Post by vikx on Aug 17, 2015 20:38:43 GMT -8
All of my trailers have a secret "Hidey Hole". A person would have to be very thorough to find it...
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shellatorg
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Post by shellatorg on Aug 18, 2015 4:22:42 GMT -8
Personally I am more worried about someone stealing the Bargman lock than my camera.... Haha, yeah, they seem very hard to find. Ours was missing when we got our camper and I found a used one. We are having it re keyed and the locksmith said it should be no problem. |
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shellatorg
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Post by shellatorg on Aug 18, 2015 4:26:21 GMT -8
Thanks everyone. Looks like I'm going to need to try and figure out a good hiding place. I'm also going to consider a deadbolt, although I don't love the idea of adding another hole to the door. My camera and lenses are rather expensive and even though they are insured, I would be pretty crushed if they were stolen.
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Dave K
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Post by Dave K on Aug 18, 2015 6:46:06 GMT -8
I realize this may be hijacking the thread a bit, but since it seems the OP got his answer, I'd like to ask everyone's opinion. A locksmith told me that he could make me a key for about $32 for my L-66B-1 Bargman, but I see on the VTS website that I can get a replacement cylinder for my lock for about $18 including shipping ( www.vintagetrailersupply.com/L_77_L_66_Lock_Cylinder_p/vts-297.htm). So what do ya'll suggest? Spend a few extra bucks and have a key made for the original or buy the replacement cylinder and save a few? I'm not sure which option is better. I'm not worried about the money, more concerned with the quality of the replacement cylinder compared to the original. Thanks~ |
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lovnvintage
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Post by lovnvintage on Aug 18, 2015 7:27:10 GMT -8
My experience on the locks is I only paid 15.00 for 2 keys to lock. For 25.00 I got keys for my door and matching locks for baggage compartment. When I went in last time the guy told me NOT to buy the replacement cylinders that he could not work with them. On those I have also read that there are slight differences so make sure it would work. Also, I tried to take the cylinder out of one that had keys to put in one that didn't. I could get the one out with no problem but the one I wanted to put it in I finally gave up as I was afraid of breaking something and didn't want to do that knowing how expensive they are to replace. So my advice if you want to try and put in a new cylinder is first thing make sure you can get the old one out with no issues and to make sure the one you buy as replacement is def. the correct one for you handle. Good luck on your decision.
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Post by bigbill on Aug 18, 2015 7:42:30 GMT -8
I think everyone should put at least twenty deadbolts plus a few padlocks on their door if this makes you feel more secure, then give some serious thought as to how long it would take to remove a window with a battery powered screwdriver. Build a good hiding place in your trailer and don't install a system that someone will cause mega bucks worth of damage trying to defeat. locks only discourage honest people. They keep the curious out not a thief. In fifty years of camping I have never had a problem that locks would have prevented.
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Ten
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Post by Ten on Aug 18, 2015 10:32:53 GMT -8
There were a couple different types of the Bargman cylinders, and they were definitely not interchangeable. Replaceable, yes. If you know what you are doing taking these old mechanisms apart, they are not hard to replace, only hard to find.
I found a cylinder that fit my later-model Bargman through ebay and got lucky enough that it worked. I can't remember what it cost me to buy. That is now fully functional in the SC. Our local hardware had actual Bargman replacement blanks, which cost 9 bucks to purchase and then paid for the copying. (Figure in the cost of two trips also, as they would not cut a second one until they were sure the first one fit and worked.) In light of my own experiences only, I would not say $32 is a bad price to pay to keep everything original in the lock.
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Dave K
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Post by Dave K on Aug 18, 2015 11:02:36 GMT -8
There were a couple different types of the Bargman cylinders, and they were definitely not interchangeable. Replaceable, yes. If you know what you are doing taking these old mechanisms apart, they are not hard to replace, only hard to find. I found a cylinder that fit my later-model Bargman through ebay and got lucky enough that it worked. I can't remember what it cost me to buy. That is now fully functional in the SC. Our local hardware had actual Bargman replacement blanks, which cost 9 bucks to purchase and then paid for the copying. (Figure in the cost of two trips also, as they would not cut a second one until they were sure the first one fit and worked.) In light of my own experiences only, I would not say $32 is a bad price to pay to keep everything original in the lock. Thanks Ten, I dropped it off a half hour ago. After researching the Bargman L-66B-1 lock that I have I decided to bring it to the Locksmith. I am going camping the weekend after next and want it to be finished and done right. If I waited for the cylinder in the mail and then had a problem installing it myself then I'd be back at square one. Thanks all for the input. |
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Post by vikx on Aug 18, 2015 20:10:21 GMT -8
I installed one of the replacement cylinders some time ago on a Scotty. Had to do some tinkering to get the old cylinder out. The new one went in OK and works, but is slightly looser than I'd like. No problems with the lock.
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