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Security is something that crosses every RVer’s mind at some time. And if you’ve ever looked into the locks that came on your RV, they won’t provide you much peace of mind. While we were in Europe at Caravan Salon this past summer, I found locks from HEO Solution that promised improved security. It took a bit of doing, but I got a set of the locks – all keyed alike, just like I wanted – for our EKKO. Watch the video below to see them installed.
If you don’t have the time to watch the video, let me just hit a few of the highlights of this lock set.
- Sidecut keys with 100,000 possible key combinations. Nobody else is going to match our keys.
- All 10 of my locks are keyed alike. (If your RV came with a wad of 6 keys, you’ll appreciate this!)
- The key works “both ways”. You don’t have to wonder which side of the key is up.
- The deadbolts are substantial – you’re unlikely to bend them.
- The locks fit ALL of the doors on our EKKO, since they can adapt to a wide range of door thicknesses.
- The Ford Transit cab locks are also doubled up. Even if a thief had our remote, you can’t open our doors without a key
So with all that going for them, how do you get a set of these locks if you want one?
The Links
If you want to order a matched-key set of locks like I have, David at campervanstuff.com can get it done. If you’d like a link specifically to the set I ordered from him, that’s this one: Seven door locks and Transit Cab Locks. He will work with the factory in Europe and get your custom set of locks out to you. You can also order individual locks if that’s what you’d prefer.
If you’d like to download my template for installing the HEO locks on a Winnebago EKKO, I’ve put that on thingiverse. You can find that here: EKKO HEO Lock Installation Template.
And if you’ve never used a center punch, but think you might like one, these from Amazon are an inexpensive way to test the waters.
If I’ve left out a link, or some critical piece of information, please let me know down in the comments, and I’ll get things updated for you ASAP.
Happy locking, all!
Hey there – your videos are all super helpful. Would these locks also work on the Sprinter Ekko?
It’s the same door and door frame, so it should work.
(I haven’t actually tried this though.)
James, would you buy an Ekko again?
Yep.
Hi this may be a bit off topic for this video but at time stamp 16:24 it appears that there is something on the cassette door. Have you described what this is in one of your postings?
It’s a SOG device, I’ve yet to do a video on it. It’s ok, but I’m not that blown away by it.
I seem to have missed something regarding the locks for the cab. If they can only be locked/unlocked from the inside, how will you secure your vehicle when you leave it? Will you exit via the side door of the RV? If that’s the case, this system won’t be much good until you put a deadbolt on that door too, and it will have to be the kind you put on the storage compartments so you can lock it from the outside.
Also, are you aware that the comments are turned off on your video?
Correct. If we lock the cab locks, we will exit through the side door of the RV. And I am already in the process of installing a deadbolt (with a matching key) on that door.
James, is it the exact same as the other dead bolts that you’ll be installing on the RV door? Would a house deadbolt work?
Actally, no.
I thought I would use these same locks on the coach entry door, but that didn’t work.
I wound up using a residential deadbolt.
You can read about that here.
I pprobably missed it but where did the spacers come from? Thanks!
The spacers come with each lock as part of the kit. They’re included.
James, nice solution. Just took delivery of 2024 EKKO last week and find your videos invaluable. Noticing the cassette toilet door. What do you have installed on this door?
It’s a SOG device. Also from Germany.
I haven’t done a video on it because it’s… OK. Not blown away great.
And hey, congrats on your new EKKO!
Yahoo… great upgrade! Not sure if I missed it. Did you need to use any kind of sealant between lock and door or is there a rubber gasket? Can’t wait to see your door lock install and what you learn is behind the trim for a dead bolt to enter. I’d love to be able to use a standard door deadbolt such as the Aqara Smart Lock U100.
There is a rubber gasket just under the black exterior faceplate, so I didn’t add any kind of sealant.
As to what’s inside the door – I’ve been in touch with PTL engineering, and the pieces I’m concerned about are 1-1/2” x 2” square steel tubes.
Haven’t decided what to do on the jamb side yet. It seems to be aluminum. I feel like it would need a reinforcing piece of steel to properly hold a deadbolt.
(But then I wonder… isn’t all this overkill for doors that are basically made of styrofoam?? lol!)
You make it sounds they are not available in the USA…. Also available in North America! http://Www.expeditionupfitter.com
True. I had seen them.
But I wanted 8 locks plus two transit cab locks all keyed alike.
That required some legwork.