The locks, hinges and garage door are parts you open and close hundreds of times, exposed to dust, sand, salt and damp. When they jam, seize up or break, they can leave you unable to lock up (a security problem) or unable to open up (a nuisance mid-trip). A little maintenance keeps them smooth and reliable. Here's how.
Locks
- Lubricate them periodically with a product designed for locks (graphite or dry lubricant, better than oils that attract dirt); this stops them seizing up.
- Keep the cylinders free of sand and dust (it gets in from the beach and the countryside).
- In winter, a suitable lubricant stops them freezing.
- If a key is hard to turn, don't force it: lubricate and check it before the key snaps inside.
Hinges and mechanisms
- Lubricate the hinges of doors, hatches and lids so they open and close without forcing or squeaking.
- Check screws and fixings: the vibration from driving loosens them; retighten as needed.
- Gas struts on hatches and doors wear out; replace them when they no longer hold the lid open.
The garage door
The garage door is a critical area: it's used a lot, it's large and, for security, it needs to close properly (that's where you keep valuable gear). Look after its lock and hinges, check the seal closes firmly and the rubber gasket seals properly (prevents water and dust getting in; see seals and gaskets). A garage door that doesn't close properly is an invitation to thieves (see security and anti-theft).
Security: reinforce the weak points
The standard locks on many campers are basic. If security worries you, consider reinforcing doors and the garage with extra locks (see anti-theft). And store valuables where they can't be seen (see safe).
In summary
Locks, hinges and the garage door stay reliable with periodic lubrication, cleaning out sand and checking screws and gas struts, which prevents faults and boosts security. The step to take today: lubricate the locks with a specific product and the hinges of doors and the garage, and check everything closes firmly (especially the garage); a few minutes prevents seizing mid-trip and security weak points.