4sweeper
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1963 Leisurehome
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Post by 4sweeper on Jun 20, 2014 17:20:19 GMT -8
I'm pondering putting a deadbolt on the entry door. Have any of you done this? Is it difficult? Are there any there any problems with this that I should be aware of? Any tips? The original inside door lever still works fine as a latch, but it won't lock anymore. When the lock switch/lever is engaged all it takes is a jiggle of the outside handle to pop it open again. I know that new replicas of this type of handle are available, but I kind of like the character of the original and I'd like to see what I can to to polish it up and keep it in use. Therefore, I need some other way to lock her up. Somewhere along the line somebody had put on a padlock hasp on the outside but I didn't like it and removed it and filled the holes in prep for painting. I won't be getting to this for a while yet, but I like to plan ahead.   |
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Post by vikx on Jun 20, 2014 21:40:57 GMT -8
The door is usually not framed for a deadbolt, so there's no wood to support it. If you're going to rebuild the door, then you can plan ahead.
I like the old locks, too. Rustoleum silver Hammer paint works well to spiff them up and it looks like aluminum...
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John Palmer
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Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
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Post by John Palmer on Jun 20, 2014 21:48:11 GMT -8
Buy a new handle, they look exactly the same. Spray the new handle with hammertone paint and you have the best of both worlds.
The new handles are sold by VTS and come in both right, and left hand, so make certain you order the correct version.
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dsadki
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Post by dsadki on Jun 21, 2014 4:10:55 GMT -8
We put a dead bolt made for a mobile home on ours before we found a replacement for our broken lock. It works good and we are extra secure. LOL
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4sweeper
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1963 Leisurehome
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Post by 4sweeper on Jun 21, 2014 16:06:30 GMT -8
Thanks for the replies.
I was, indeed, wondering about the door framing being strong enough or even wide enough. Thanks for letting me know that it's a very valid concern Vikx. I'm not going to rebuild the door right now, it's still very sturdy but it does need some cosmetic work on the inside. Maybe in the future; perhaps I'll do it over the winter. The door is actually the only thing on the whole trailer that I haven't opened up so I have no definite knowledge of how it's framed. I think it might be 2x2s around the outside edges. From the exterior, near the bottom where the door has been pushed shut over the years by people's feet, I can see a little ridge line behind the skin that looks like the framing would be that size. Is that typical? I guess I might have to go for a new handle after all, but I like the spray-painting idea to age it. Thanks John.
dsaki, is a mobile home deadbolt different than a regular deadbolt that you'd find in a box store?
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dsadki
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Post by dsadki on Jun 21, 2014 18:48:31 GMT -8
The mobile home dead bolt we got was made for a thinner door. It works good on our 62 Shasta Airflyte. A friend of ours installed it for us. We have since found a handle to replace our broken one but we have kept the dead bolt on the trailer.
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Post by vikx on Jun 21, 2014 22:11:44 GMT -8
The door is probably 2 x 2s, yes. They don't have much framing, just a square with one middle cross board. (or window framing)
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4sweeper
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1963 Leisurehome
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Post by 4sweeper on Jun 22, 2014 6:49:30 GMT -8
Thanks. Mine has a jalousie window in the door so it would have the window framing. The best position for a deadbolt would likely come pretty close to cutting right through the window framing which would not be good. LOL! I didn't think that all the way through did I? I wouldn't be too worried about the trailer side of the framing. When I reframed that side I beefed up the wood around the door opening to a 2x4. Sounds like if I really want a deadbolt the door needs to come apart. Until then the new handle appears to be the solution.
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