The only problem with the "Fortress of Solitude"

[Gary Miller]

George,

Mine is set up the same way. If memory serves, the lock bolt
consists of an inner bolt and an outer sleeve. The electric portion
is the inner bolt.

Manually locking the deadbolt moves both parts at the same time.

Since the extension limit of the inner bolt is the same as the outer
sleeve, when you lock the bolt manually, the inner bolt should extend
no further. Thus doing so will not afford you any additional
security. I believe the switches are there in case you forgot to
lock the door and are underway (dashboard), or in your bedroom for
the night.

What you may be running into is that by not moving the whole assembly
all the way to the locked position, when you actuate the switch, the
inner portion moves slightly further out. Now when you unlock the
door manually, the inner portion is still protruding into the door
jamb (just past the outer sleeve) preventing you from opening your
door. Another thought is that the outer portion is binding and not
going into the jamb all the way, or the inner portion is somehow able
to move out further when the bolt is all the way into the jamb.

If you have locked the door remotely and are standing at the door, I
believe you can lock the bolt manually (causing the inner portion to
push back into the outer) then unlock it and you will be free to open
your door.

You do have additional security by locking the latch and the bolt
however.

Regarding the 9mm. After penetrating the steel outer skin, the
bullet will be greatly energy depleted and likely tumbling,
especially if it is a hollow point. Keep in mind that the door is
softer aluminum, but a heavier gauge. Windows are another option but
they're laminated and won't burst like most safety glass and they're
not produced in your shade anymore (I think). Consider ammo with a
steel core.

I also enjoy the fortress like nature of the Wanderlodge, especially
with a family on board. My additional security consists of a well
groomed and trained, 4 year old, 60 pound, female border collie.
When the dinette becomes a bed, she moves to the stepwell platform
for the night, which puts her nose at about most peoples' chin level
if they were to open the door. Being young, her teeth are very white
against her black face and 1000 yard border collie stare.

Although she's received much training, she has never overcome her
aversion to strange men (my wife says that's why border collies are
considered smart), especially if they 1) wear a hat, 2)look at her,
3) smile at her (teeth), and/or 4)reach out to her. Put a frisbee in
your hand, however, and she'll eventually like you. Where the kids
go, she goes.

Gary Miller
83 FC 33
Wauwatosa, WI

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mrdonut12" <mrdonut12@y...>
wrote:
> I gotta tell ya, I love my bird. I've traveled all over and
> always feel safe no matter where I park for the night.
> This thing is literally the fortress of solitude.
> I've only considered one problem and my extensive
> "Blue Box" doesn't seem to address it and I've not seen
> it come up in this forum.
> I've got a remote lock for the entry door. I can
> switch it from the driver's seat or the bedroom. It's
> an electric solonoid operated lock cylinder.
> So, where's the manual over-ride for this thing? What
> happens when I can't get it to unlock? Sure, I can
> get out, but how do I get back in? (grin)
> I'll save my other security question (will a 9mm bullet
> penetrate the skin) for another post. LOL
>
> George Witt
> 81 FC 35
> Lincoln, Nebraska--Huskers