I always locked the door using the big door lock beside the door.
Today my mechanic locked the door by sliding the black latch in the inside of the door. I never used that latch lock because I never had the key for it. I only have the ignition key and the big lock key.
I could see myself climbing thru the front window in order to get in.
I don't know why but, before doing that, I inserted my ignition key in the little keyhole in the door and VOILA! it unlocked the latch!!

Am I the only one who didn't know that the ignition key is also the same key used for the latch?
Talk about a well known secret, I talked to the previous owner and he didn't know that either.

So let's take a survey. How many of you knew that and how many didn't.

quote:

Originally posted by Raymag:
...I inserted my ignition key in the little keyhole in the door and VOILA! it unlocked the latch!!

Am I the only one who didn't know that the ignition key is also the same key used for the latch?

Well, I didn't... So I went outside and checked... Nope, not the same one and I have two doors. I have a Ford Style Ignition Key.

My (GM type) ignition key only keys the ignition slot; the "latch" lock is unique, as is the deadbolt key.

My door lock (not deadbolt) and the ignition key are different.

Bill G

I wonder if either my ignition or the door latch was rekeyed to match the other, since it seems that nobody can do both with the same key.

Hey Raymag,

I must have been fortunate in that the previous owner informed me the latch lock did not work but here is the key. It was the same key as the ignition. Another key locked the deadbolt. After a little TLC, I got the latch lock and the dead bolt to work correctly. A nice thing to have, especially since the door would not unlock even from the inside without the help of pliers at times. Heaven forbid that you did not have a pair of pliers inside with you.

Now, everything works as intended by Barth and I don't fear being locked out, or in for that matter.

Here's a thread drift for you. If you're someplace where you feel relatively secure, a state park or race track for example, do you lock the door at night to keep the bad guys out or leave it unlocked for emergencies. I believe if the coach catches fire you may not awake and rescuers are going to have seconds, not minutes, to get you out. If I'm doing the Wall Mart thing in Newark, I'm lockin' up, but where I feel secure, the H&R 32 is all I need.

Hey Danny,

Good info, I hadn't really thought about that eventuality. I'm not sure where I'd be that I wouldn't want the door locked but it is something to think about. Some RV parks would probably be okay.

That's one advantage of the front-entry design. With the step well cover down, it's about 3-1/2 ft. up to get into the coach, discouraging any intruder, and giving ample time for Casey and Mr. Ruger to introduce themselves.

quote:

Originally posted by Rusty:
That's one advantage of the front-entry design. With the step well cover down, it's about 3-1/2 ft. up to get into the coach, discouraging any intruder....

Some mid-entry Barths have a step well cover, too. I wanna make mine electric. Maybe tied into the Kwickee step circuit.