Mobile RV Door Lock Rekey Across Florida

The CH751 Problem and Why It Matters in Florida

Most production RVs shipped with one of a handful of master key codes that were shared across the manufacturer's entire lineup for years. CH751 is the most widely distributed, used by Bauer Products across a significant portion of the RV industry. The key is not a specialized tool - it is sold openly at camping stores, online retailers, and some hardware stores. In Florida, where hundreds of thousands of RVs are stored in open-air lots and campgrounds, that means the key to your entry door is potentially in the hands of anyone who wanted to buy one.

The risk is not hypothetical. Reported RV burglaries in Florida consistently include cases where no forced entry occurred - the entry door was opened with a key. Storage lots present the highest risk because coaches are unoccupied for extended periods and the lot is typically not staffed overnight. Rekeying converts your lock from a shared master code to a unique cylinder that only your specific key opens, eliminating this vulnerability entirely.

How an RV Entry Door Lock Is Rekeyed

Rekeying replaces the pin stack inside the lock cylinder with a new configuration that matches a different key cut. The lock housing, the door, and the entry handle are not touched. The process begins with removing the cylinder from the handle assembly, which on a Bauer or TriMark lock requires a specific tool and takes about five minutes. The cylinder is then taken apart at the back, the old driver pins and key pins are removed, and new pin stacks are installed in the configuration that matches your new key.

The reassembled cylinder is inserted back into the handle, confirmed to operate smoothly, and the new keys are cut to the same configuration. On a standard RV entry door with a single lock cylinder, the complete process takes 30 to 45 minutes. We carry a standard inventory of pin kits and key blanks for all common Bauer, TriMark, and CompX lock cylinders, and we cut keys at the coach so you leave with working keys in hand.

Getting a Keyed-Alike Set After Rekeying

Many Class A and Class C motorhomes, and some fifth-wheels, have two or more lockable doors - a main entry door, a pass-through storage entry, or a basement compartment door with a cylinder lock rather than a cam lock. Keyed-alike means all of these cylinders are rekeyed to the same key, so one key opens every door on the coach. This is the most practical configuration for daily use because it eliminates the need to carry multiple keys.

Keyed-alike service requires the technician to rekey each cylinder to the same pin configuration. On coaches where the cylinders are different lock brands - for example, a Bauer entry door and a TriMark slide lock - we will need to cut keys for each brand separately. In most cases it is possible to match the bitting across brands so a single physical key operates all locks, but this depends on the key blank compatibility between brands, which we confirm at the time of inspection.

What RV Lock Brands Can Be Rekeyed

Bauer Products and TriMark are the two most common RV lock brands, and both can be rekeyed in the field by a technician with the correct pin kits. CompX (formerly National Manufacturing) locks, used on some older coaches and on storage compartment applications, are also rekeyable. RVLock keypad locks are not rekeyable in the traditional sense because they use an electronic keyway for the keyed backup; the Schlage keyway in an RVLock can be re-pinned if the technician has the appropriate Schlage pinning kit.

Locks that cannot be rekeyed - primarily very old wafer-tumbler designs and some foreign-market coach locks - must be replaced entirely rather than rekeyed. When we find a lock that cannot be rekeyed, we provide a replacement option that can be rekeyed, so the new lock is the last rekeying you will need if you sell or transfer the coach. We carry replacement lock hardware for most common applications.

Does Rekeying Affect Key Fobs or Remote Systems

Rekeying the mechanical lock cylinder does not affect any electronic access system. Key fobs, remote keyless entry, and keypad systems operate independently of the mechanical cylinder. After rekeying, the physical key has changed but the remote or keypad function is unaffected. If your coach has a keypad entry that also has a Schlage or Bauer keyed backup, the backup cylinder can be rekeyed separately to match the new key without touching the keypad electronics.

For coaches with integrated entry systems where the electronic and mechanical components share a single assembly - some newer Class A coaches and a few European imports - we will advise on the rekeying options at the time of inspection. In some cases the electronic module must be removed before the mechanical cylinder can be serviced, which adds time to the job. We confirm the lock configuration before quoting.

How Many Keys to Get When You Rekey

For most owners, three keys is the practical minimum: one primary key on your daily keyring, one backup in a secure location separate from the coach, and one to give to a trusted person - a family member, a co-owner, or someone who needs access in an emergency. Keys cut from the rekeyed cylinder are the only keys that will work, so all authorized users need keys cut at the time of service.

Additional keys can be cut from the code at any time after the initial service, but cutting them later requires either returning the cylinder to us or having a locksmith cut to the code we provide. We record the key code on the service receipt, which you should store separately from the keys themselves. More than six keys on a single cylinder is not recommended because the more keys in circulation, the more exposure the code has over time.

Pricing Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources and References

• Bauer Products - RV Lock Documentation - RV entry lock cylinder specifications, keying procedures, and key blank compatibility for Bauer RV locks.
• RVLock - Product Documentation - Keypad lock specifications and keying compatibility with Bauer and Trimark deadbolts.