Padlocking the watertight door

Submitted: Sunday, Nov 23, 2014 at 20:44
ThreadID: 129572 Views:12487 Replies:10 FollowUps:22
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When I left my van at Drysdale River CP and drove to the Mitchell Falls, I tried to padlock the watertight door closed as an added bit of security. I have heard of others doing this, so I know it works.

I could not find any padlock that would get into the hole though. Can anybody tell me what works for this ?

Thanks,

Willie.
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Reply By: Theywent Thataway - Sunday, Nov 23, 2014 at 23:02

Sunday, Nov 23, 2014 at 23:02
I had the same problem so my plan is to close the door over and drill a new hole through both sections a bit closer to the edge.
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Follow Up By: Willie - Monday, Nov 24, 2014 at 00:43

Monday, Nov 24, 2014 at 00:43
Yes, that is my last report. I reckon if we hang off though, some clever Bogger will suggest a lock that fits.
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Reply By: Gone Bush - Monday, Nov 24, 2014 at 02:05

Monday, Nov 24, 2014 at 02:05
If you do padlock the top hole, put a wedge or something in the bottom corner (on the non-hinge side) so that there is a gap to allow water to escape, otherwise if it rains you could get water coming into the van through the gas vent.

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Follow Up By: Willie - Monday, Nov 24, 2014 at 03:01

Monday, Nov 24, 2014 at 03:01
Good thinking Stephen. I had not considered that possibility. Maybe I should go with you, where the sun keeps shining.
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Follow Up By: Gone Bush - Monday, Nov 24, 2014 at 05:52

Monday, Nov 24, 2014 at 05:52
You're welcome anytime Willie.

I'm often told that I keep my head where "the sun don't shine". 😉

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Follow Up By: surfy53 - Thursday, Jan 01, 2015 at 19:29

Thursday, Jan 01, 2015 at 19:29
Yes, well thought out.
Up there for thinking and down there for dancing.
He's a bright boy.
Chris.
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Reply By: AroundAustralia - Monday, Nov 24, 2014 at 06:11

Monday, Nov 24, 2014 at 06:11
I drilled another hole midway between the existing ones. When I first tried, couldn't find away around the nuts welded on the back of the existing holes.

Cheers.
Wendy & Michael

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Follow Up By: Willie - Monday, Nov 24, 2014 at 06:55

Monday, Nov 24, 2014 at 06:55
What if it rains - like Stephen warned, it might fill up and go through the door.

I think I will have to figure out some way to make a plug which would sit at the bottom of the door.

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Reply By: AroundAustralia - Monday, Nov 24, 2014 at 06:59

Monday, Nov 24, 2014 at 06:59
When you padlock the door, just leave the two bolts out or one in the top and just a wedge in the bottom - the water will pass through ok.

Cheers.
Wendy & Michael

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Reply By: B1B2Bfree - Monday, Nov 24, 2014 at 07:41

Monday, Nov 24, 2014 at 07:41
Willie

What you are after is a pin padlock. A little hard to describe, but instead of a hoop you would find in a conventional padlock a pin padlock has, as the name implies a single pin that is inserted through the existing hole and padlocked. As I said a little hard to describe so you may wish to google to better understand.

From memory we got ours from a speciality locksmith, I think they may also be known as a vending machine padlock.

Hope this helps

Phillip
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Follow Up By: Willie - Monday, Nov 24, 2014 at 20:00

Monday, Nov 24, 2014 at 20:00
Thanks Phillip. I will enqire at my local locksmith.
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Reply By: Grumblebum & Dragon - Monday, Nov 24, 2014 at 18:41

Monday, Nov 24, 2014 at 18:41
Bugger the lock Willie........ take the Bt up to the Mitchell Plateau - more better than tenting!

John
AnswerID: 588039

Follow Up By: Willie - Monday, Nov 24, 2014 at 19:58

Monday, Nov 24, 2014 at 19:58
It would have been far much more worser. It was slow going without the van, so I was really pleased I left it behind.

It was rather fun in the tent. It reminded us of our travels when we were young.

I leave the van in the street outside my house, so I want the padlock for a bit of a deterrent.

Cheers.
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Reply By: Searenity - Tuesday, Nov 25, 2014 at 08:14

Tuesday, Nov 25, 2014 at 08:14
Hi Willie,
the "Pin padlock" is the way to go - it is a Master Lock - the pin can come in various lengths.
It provides two functions -
[1] to lock the van and
[2] when applied to the water-tight door only can be used to lock it open so no one can shut you in the van i.e. the thickness of the lock can prevent the door bolt from being engaged.

cheers


Searenity
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Follow Up By: Willie - Tuesday, Nov 25, 2014 at 08:20

Tuesday, Nov 25, 2014 at 08:20
OK, thanks very much for your help.
Willie.
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Follow Up By: Oldperc - Monday, Dec 22, 2014 at 21:09

Monday, Dec 22, 2014 at 21:09
Point Three:
Locking the water-tight door in the open position also prevents the W-T door being removed completely!!!,.
You'd wonder who would want one
Currently don't have a locked WTD and haven't had any problems in 12 years.
Perhaps we are all becoming a little paranoid.
David
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Reply By: Harry & Jan - Saturday, Dec 06, 2014 at 22:40

Saturday, Dec 06, 2014 at 22:40
This might be the answer to a couple of your questions. The small bit of chain locking the T headed screw from being undone. Stops someone swinging it around and locking you in, and then locked through the two drilled holes when the W T door is swung around closed. The chain to stop the door opening too far is clear enough hopefully.Image Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be Found

Cheers
Harry.
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Follow Up By: Willie - Sunday, Dec 07, 2014 at 06:31

Sunday, Dec 07, 2014 at 06:31
That is great Harry. Thanks a lot. The door chain is a good idea.
Willie.
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Follow Up By: Tassie Bushies - Monday, Dec 08, 2014 at 07:31

Monday, Dec 08, 2014 at 07:31
Hi Harry,

Sorry mate but OH&S is required here.

That metal lug sticking down in the middle of the door frame could open up someones head badly, & maybe it might be way out the bush, with zero medical help.

I have several times hit my head on that top door frame, (I do wear a hat, plus 6ft tall.)

Maybe you could move it right across the side, where it wouldn't be such a danger.
Regards Peter.

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Follow Up By: Motherhen & Rooster - Monday, Dec 08, 2014 at 09:28

Monday, Dec 08, 2014 at 09:28
Ouch - I see what you mean Peter.

Ours door chains are attached on the side of the door frame. Here chains are on full tension with the door clipped open.
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Follow Up By: surfy53 - Thursday, Jan 01, 2015 at 19:33

Thursday, Jan 01, 2015 at 19:33
Door chains are great.
I'm an expert at replacing the bottom hinge.
I also carry a supply of new hinges if anyone is in the market. lol.
Chris.
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Follow Up By: Motherhen & Rooster - Thursday, Jan 01, 2015 at 19:43

Thursday, Jan 01, 2015 at 19:43
We purchased pre-loved and the sellers told us how easily the door can get whipped from your hand and break a hinge. On our first short holiday with the Bushtracker, we stopped at a Nullarbor rest area where we met a couple with a very similar Bushtracker who had been on the road for eight years. He had just changed the hinge and showed us the item in a Camec catalogue.

When we had the breakage, there in the box of spares the previous passed on to us was a spare hinge ready. No more breakages after fitting the chains, but I am still careful when there is a wind.

A spare supply when out on the road could be a nice side business LOL

Motherhen

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Follow Up By: Willie - Thursday, Jan 01, 2015 at 19:48

Thursday, Jan 01, 2015 at 19:48
Happy New Year Mrs Chook. You do not by any chance, have a note of the camec part number do you ?
I know I am going to need it eventually !
Thanks,
Willie.
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Follow Up By: Motherhen & Rooster - Thursday, Jan 01, 2015 at 23:40

Thursday, Jan 01, 2015 at 23:40
Hi Willie and happy new year to your and Mrs Willie too.
Is this the one? Caravans Plus Trimatic door hinge

I'm sure someone will correct me if I am wrong.

Cheers

Mh
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Follow Up By: Willie - Friday, Jan 02, 2015 at 06:10

Friday, Jan 02, 2015 at 06:10
Thanks a lot for that info. I will definitely order one. I have passed on your best wishes to Mrs Willie. Please pass mine on to your rooster.
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Reply By: Andrew & Jen - Monday, Dec 08, 2014 at 03:08

Monday, Dec 08, 2014 at 03:08
Willie
The padlock on our BT is from the Master Lock Company
It fits snug as a bug
The BT is down getting a few minor things done to it but I will be collecting it in the next couple of days
If you would like me to, I can measure it and let you know the dimensions - throat, etc
Cheers
Andrew
AnswerID: 588042

Follow Up By: Willie - Monday, Dec 08, 2014 at 07:38

Monday, Dec 08, 2014 at 07:38
I went to two locksmiths today. The second one had a wider 'gape' Master lock. When I tried it out, it is a very tight fit.
Thanks for that Andrew,
Willie.
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Follow Up By: Harry & Jan - Saturday, Dec 13, 2014 at 01:38

Saturday, Dec 13, 2014 at 01:38
Image Could Not Be Found It Been there for five years now missed it every time.5'101/2"
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Follow Up By: muddywaters - Tuesday, Jan 13, 2015 at 22:57

Tuesday, Jan 13, 2015 at 22:57
We have the same system as Harry except that we put a piece of plastic tube over the chain to stop the rattle. Regards Andrew
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Reply By: MattandLana - Sunday, Jan 11, 2015 at 21:05

Sunday, Jan 11, 2015 at 21:05
Hi guys, first time back after a long gap.

I'm intrigued at the thought that someone might close the watertight door and lock you inside the van. Is this a theoretical concern, or does someone have first-hand experience of it?!

Matt
AnswerID: 588043

Follow Up By: Willie - Sunday, Jan 11, 2015 at 21:33

Sunday, Jan 11, 2015 at 21:33
I was too. I would be straight through the screen window wielding a weapon of mass destruction !
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Follow Up By: Gone Bush - Monday, Jan 12, 2015 at 01:03

Monday, Jan 12, 2015 at 01:03
I would call out to my friends Mr Smith and Mr Wesson.

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