Re: [A/S] Deadbolt Installation

[Neil Smith <neilsmth@xxxxxxxxx>]

Mike;

Standard equipment on Argosy and A/S motor homes is an outside lock set mounted to the left
of the door frame about 3 inches.  This handle has a sledge key way and an oblong dead bolt that
strikes into the door about 6 inches above the regular door latch.  Some of these  lock sets have
a handle incorporated  to assist entry into the coach,  On the Exella and as an option
on the others this dead bolt has a magnet that open and closes it from a dash mounted switch and even
has a mercury switch in the interior handle to indicate if the door is secure before travel.  IF you could
find a junkyard with this setup in tact OR a repair shop with access to NOS parts (inlandrv?)  this would
be an easy fit and might be just what you are wanting.  The key is (pardon the pun) the oblong dead bolt
which is simply a piece of aluminum bar stock approx 5/16 by 1 by 4 inches long  which leaves the door
jamb relatively in tact and the oblong cut in the door frame takes away very little of door frames strength.

The tricky part is the throw piece in the dead bolt assembly which can be made by a competent locksmith.

Neil Smith
Austin Texas