A popular modification is to do away with the “security” of keyed hatches and replacing them with thumb latches.
Every Casita hatch as well as most other RV’s use the CH751 key.
I replaced the electrical door and curb side hatch because they are opened most often (hooking up and unhooking at camp). You might want to replace all of the locks or just the ones used the most. I left the locks on the battery door because I rarely open it, and the water fill door to avoid any “surprises” in the water tank.
Replacing the latches requires a screwdriver and an adjustable wrench. The water fill and electrical cord hatch use the 5/8″ size latches while the water tank compartment and battery door use 7/8″ up through 2014 and 1 1/8″ 2015+. On the electrical cord door you need to grind down the rivet and save the special length locking arm and swap it over to the new thumb latch. Unfortunately, the external shower door shape doesn’t allow for a thumb lock to fit.
Now we don’t have to fumble for the keys while hooking up the Casita.
Camco makes cheap thumb locks, but for 1 or 2 more dollars, the JR products are a higher quality.
Here are the 5/8″ depth JR locks for the electrical cord door and water fill door:
The 7/8″ latches for the battery compartment door and curb side access hatch:
2015+ Casitas may use deeper 1 1/8″ latches on the battery and curb side access hatch. Measure the depth before buying.
5 comments
The information provided was spot on. I changed the right side access hatch and the electrical compartment doors and used the recommended JR latches. They have a nice feel to them when latching and unlatching and I think are worth the extra money. Very happy now that I don’t have to fumble for the keys to get into either door. Thanks!
I just received 3 replacement JR thumb locks.
I am having trouble removing the cam from both the Battery door and the Curbside storage door on a 2010 Casita SD.
Any hints on how to remove the cam after everything else is removed?
Are the locks actually stuck in the door, or the lever is stuck on the lock? If it’s stuck in the door, just force it out with some pliers.
Still no way to replace the outdoor shower latch? I think that one may be my most desired swap as I usually need it when I’m coming back to the trailer and don’t have keys handy (thanks to the number pad lock).
I haven’t found an easy solution. If you look at the door, the key latch is inset into the plastic and the thumb latch part of the lever would bind up on it.