Hi Gang,
My experience with that particular Bargman lock set is pretty much the same as
everyone else who has responded. However, I have twist, the lock actually broke
internally and left the bolt spring loaded into the bolt recess in the jamb. It
was 15 Degrees in February 2005 and we were on our way to Daytona Beach.
We know how to start off a Vacation.
This was a new lock from a 1999 restoration of our 66 Trade Wind. We had to
disassemble the side window and crawl into the trailer, then disassemble the door
lock from inside. It basically comes apart in 3 pieces. The inside knob and cover
plate, the bolt and cam assembly and the outside knob/key set and pawl with the
outside cover plate.
Fortunately I had bought another lock for a 66 Caravel that I had not installed
yet, so after an hour or so of freezing our butts off, we had it back together.
Course I blamed my wife for all the times she slammed the door shut after repeated
pleas of "its an old trailer you need to use care in operating!!".
Well, needless to say this led to a long silent trip, for the first day anyway!
The internal mechanism is actually quite simple! Therein lies the problem!
The bolt is a modified "Y" shaped with the "U" portion inside the internal case.
At the end of the "U" there are two tangs or protrusions, which engage the aforementioned
"Tricky Cam" that is operated by twisting the knob from either side. The cam only pulls
the bolt in. If the lock set is in the rest position, the bolt is spring loaded so that
the bolt is engaged in the out position like when its in the jamb recess (The protrusions
are what broke, disengaging the knob from the bolt).
The cam is the key culprit in poor performance.It is designed to rotate freely engaging
the bolt in one direction and the outside key set in the other. It is sandwiched inside a
sheet metal box that is subject to twisting during normal operation and will fail under
extreme use(like excessive slamming!!!!!). What normally occurs during regular use is
loosening of the screws which hold the inside plate to the outside plate and the screw
that connects the inside knob to the pawl.
Since the outside lock set engages the cam within a fraction of an inch, this loosening
of the screws, disengages the key set and in some cases jams both the outside key set and
the inside knob when locked.
That's why you can be in or out when failure occurs.
There are a couple of things I would recommend. First, disassemble the lock set and
internal case. Completely grease the internal mechanisms and reassemble, Care must be taken
so that all the cam and bar pieces are aligned properly and move freely. Next install the
bolt and lock assembly with outside knob and key set again making sure the cam is engaged.
Install the inside knob and mounting screws.
Here is where the trouble starts, If you tighten too tight you'll jamb the lock, too loose
will allow the screws to loosen up again, there is a balance. You may want to use a thread
binder like Locktite!
Try a couple of test fits and find the best tension for the assembly then add the binder
and check again.
Lastly, I always keep a Phillips screwdriver and a spare lock handy (she still hasn't
learned the art of "closing") Just in case!!
WAM
> Can anyone offer advice about installation/maintenance of the door lock set on
> the 1963 Safari Twin (Same as on all other 1963 models, I would assume)? I am
> having the same problem with the replacement Bargeman Lock Set that I just
> bought and installed that I had with the Replacement Bargeman that was on the
> trailer when I bought it: the exterior knob loosens and when the door is shut
> from the outside, without locking it, it it "locks itself". It is then
> impossible to open the door without using the key, and it is difficult to open
> the door even using the key. This failure occurred after about a year of use
> of the lock that came with the trailer when I bought it, and occurred after a
> few openings and closings with the newly installed Bargeman replacement
> (identical to the lock that was on the trailer when I bought it). It seems
> that something is loosening. The door and striker plate (plastic) that is
> attached to the door jamb are unchanged. Any advice will be greatly
> appreciated.