Good cam locks, not too expensive?

[Almot]

Bought a set of tubular cam locks for hatches. Infamous Camco brand. Junk. Quality of $8.50 locks is at par with Ebay offbrand cr.apola that you pay 90 cents for. They should be put in front of a firing squad on the next lunch break (if they have lunch breaks in Shanghai). Together with the US middlemen/importers.

2 out of 3 locks can't be installed at all, one is barely functional.

Big nut holding cylinder to the door is so loose that you can pull it off the threads without twisting - in other words, you can pull the cylinder out.
Locking "arm" has a square hole so small that it doesn't fit the square boss on the cylinder, had to file the hole wider.

Past return window, lost $25.

Any source for better cam locks? You know, those with tubular keys. Have found these guys https://shoprvlocks.com/ - formerly ch751.com, double cost compared to Camco. Quality... have no idea. "Assembled in the USA" could simply mean putting the cylinder and locking arm together.

[2oldman]

Almot wrote:
Quality and the very idea that the item that they make should actually "work", are not a part of the scheme. From where I'm standing, this is a criminal mindset. Didn't want to go there.

I think it's just a capitalism mindset. "If you can sell it cheaper, they will buy it." Quality is secondary.

[Big_Katuna]

If mine took cam locks I would change them out with thumb turns.

[fj12ryder]

Why pay more money for a barrel lock than a flat key lock? They are both equally impotent at providing security for the basement/storage doors. The only thing the barrel locks might do is pique the curiosity of someone enough they pop the door open with a medium screwdriver. Why ever would a thief bother with a key when a screwdriver is faster, and the noise isn't that much. Those doors deform very easy.

I can certainly understand wanting all doors keyed the same, but any lock is only as secure as the material surrounding it. And I don't think thieves wander around the campground checking locks. You're more at risk when the unit is in storage, where the risk of a little noise is pretty much a non-issue. Almost all thefts I've heard of took place when the trailer was not being used.

[Almot]

Has just checked Rvlocksandmore - they only have locks with regular flat key.

[Almot]

Big Katuna wrote:
Barrel locks can be picked faster than key locks.

Why? The mechanism is the same. Also barrel keys are a little less common, less chance for an opportunist wandering around and trying doors with his flat RV key. I realize that this door can be easily broken into, just throw a rock heavy enough, but this means an effort, noise, determination.

Mex - well put about rubbing the windshield. Totally alien conscience. Quality and the very idea that the item that they make should actually "work", are not a part of the scheme. From where I'm standing, this is a criminal mindset. Didn't want to go there.

[beemerphile1]

My screwdriver trumps your barrel locks.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Look at a Laurel & Hardy piece where Stan pulls off the steering wheel and hands it to Oliver.

This is why I get so frustrated with Mexico and the USA. Like having a brother-in-law that declares "I'm going to be a big wheel or remain unemployed".

The mindset of pure PLA operated Chinese factories is as foreign as it gets. i.e. to clean a windshield, rub it with a cloth -- automatically clean. No need to look and see. Not part of the scheme.

[agesilaus]

Big Katuna wrote:
Barrel locks can be picked faster than key locks.

Why bother?

[Lantley]

The issue is with RV construction not the locks. They can all be defeated with a simple pry bar. Sort of like trying to lock a cardboard box.

[Big_Katuna]

Barrel locks can be picked faster than key locks.

[IAMICHABOD]

I have replaced all of mine with These ,they can all be keyed alike so I only have one key for everything. Just pick the size and how many you want.

I also like that they have a cover on the key slot that moves when you insert the key,thus keeping all grime out.

[prichardson]

If you can live with standard type keys they are radially available at your local hardware or building supply store.

[bid_time]

Try Rvlocksandmore. I was happy with the stuff I got from them.

[agesilaus]

Well Amazon has a selection.
Scroll down to see a number of other brands. Have no idea which one is better than the others.