[VAC] Re: Door Lock 1976 (locksets 1969-2001)

[Charlie/Betty Burke <burke@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Here is a brief synopsis of entry door locks from 1969 to date.

In 1969 the Bargman L100 with an extended bolt was used. I still like the L200
with it's paddle handle, and you can get the extended bolt separately
In 1970 until 1977 in the Airstream and 1979 in the Argosy the first KT lock was
used. This lock was approximately 4" high by 8" wide. This was the most
extensively used lockset. Airstream has never found a suitable substitute for
this lockset. As such they have continued to have parts and locksets virtually
handmade in some cases. The parts are available individually or as a lockset. It
is also possible to have a lockset rebuilt by several sources. This locksets
failures are mostly based on wear and tear. The most significant is when the
bolt gets chewed by the strike pocket in the frame. All of these locksets should
be inspected for this wear. The best fix is to shim/fill in the outside facing
part of the strike pocket so that the whole bolt bears against it rather than a
small portion as it does now.

In 1978 in the Airstream and 1980 in the Argosy the 2nd KT lock was introduced.
This was the second longest lived lockset, lasting until the beginning of the
90's. At about that time the KT company ceased operations, leaving Airstream in
a lurch. The first substitute was based on the lockset GMC developed for their
motorhome. It required a trim plate to cover the old hole. In very few years the
GMC lockset also disappeared. Airstreams next substitute was based on the Elixir
lockset. Elixir was bought out by Trimark a couple of years ago but the lockset
is the nearly the same. This lockset also requires a trim plate and new strike
pocket. It does not come with directions, and it is not an easy installation.
This KT locksets failures are three. One is the failure of the outside paddle
handle. Inspect it for cracks. Two, is the failure of one of the bolt plate
tabs. When this happens the inside handle will no longer work in both
directions. Third, and most difficult is when the bolt plate, which is just a
piece of stamped metal fails just behind were the bolt is pinch clamped onto the
plate. This failure typically occurs when the door is slammed. When it happens
the bolt is driven into the strike pocket by a pretty stout spring. There are
two ways to open the door after this failure. One is from the inside with a
Phillips screwdriver and a pair of needle nose pliers. The other is from the
outside by remove the hinges. DO NOT attempt to unbolt the hinges. (That is a
whole other story) To remove a hinge during these years the hinge pin should be
driven down with a punch until a stress fracture shows on the bottom of the
hinge. At that point stop and drive the hinge pin out from the bottom using the
fracture as a reference point.
For a short time in the early 90's the Elixir was used until the latest lockset
was introduced.
The latest lockset (I don't recall who makes it, I get them from Airstream) was
introduced with the change to the new squared off Airstream in 1994 and is used
to this date.
I doubt if this lockset can be retrofitted as the door it mounts in is
noticeably thicker than the older door. Which is a shame because this new one is
a beaut.

Hope this helps,

Charlie