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How to Break into Our Airstream in Under Five Minutes

written by Amanda September 15, 2014

Yesterday, for the second time in two weeks we got locked out of our Airstream. Something is going on with our deadbolt that’s causing it to slide into the locked position while we’re driving. The deadbolt only locks from the inside with no option to unlock it with a key.

Airstream Break In

Airstream door lock

Not sure why this is happening all of a sudden, and we plan to investigate before our next drive day, but luckily we are experts at breaking into our house. Yesterday marks our third successful break-in. The first time was when a strong wind slammed the door shut causing the lock to pop closed. That was when Tim first devised this clever break-in plan. After that we hid an extra key and figured we would never need to break-in again. When the deadbolt locked itself last weekend we once again put operation break-in into effect. This week it happened again and it only took us mere minutes to break-in. We declared ourselves experts and Tim said, “This would make a great blog post.” Why yes it would. So here goes. How to break into our Airstream in under 5 minutes:

Step 1: Very gently pry open the kitchen window. This window has no screen because when we replaced the kitchen sink faucet it blocked the window crank. Tim moved the crank and now the screen no longer fits properly. He’s been saying for two years that he’s going to fix that screen. So glad he hasn’t yet.

Break in Airstream

This is a delicate operation

Step 2: Disconnect the window crank bars. If you place a screw driver in just the right spot on the bar hinge you can pop out a little metal piece and release the bar.

Airstream break in

Unhook the crank bars- also could that window be any dirtier????

Step 3: Reach in and arrange the bars so the window is propped open.

Airstream Break In

Open window – too bad neither of us can fit through this 6-inch opening

Step 4: Make your break-in tool. We used the top two sections of our telescoping flag pole with a mini crow bar taped to the end. A small spool of wire acts as a spacer between the pole and crow bar. Use lots of tape.

Airstream Break In

Homemade break-in tool

Airstream Break In

All ready to break in

Step 5: Carefully slide your break-in tool through the open window. Push it in the direction of the door.

Airstream Break In

Slide to tool towards the door

Step 6: Have your lovely assistant stand next to the window opposite the door. Follow her hand signals as she guides the break-in tool to the left of the deadbolt. When she says go pull the tool to the right and slide it open.

Airstream Break In

Window to window communication

Airstream Break in

Success!

That’s it! In under five minutes you have just broken in to our Airstream.

Disclaimer: Since this method requires some special circumstances (crank out windows + a missing screen + materials for a homemade break-in tool) it’s not likely to help other people in a similar situation. But if this does happen to you, and any of this post helps you out then we’ll be happy to take the credit. Also, please don’t break into our Airstream.

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Amanda

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10 comments

Tammy September 15, 2014 - 11:20 am

Way too funny…

Reply
Leigh September 15, 2014 - 11:57 am

Hopefully no wanna-be airstream burglars are reading your blog!

Reply
Amanda September 16, 2014 - 8:20 am

I figure if someone really wants to get in their just going to break a window anyway :)

Reply
deas September 15, 2014 - 1:03 pm

Thinking a little duct tape would be in order before the next trip!

Reply
Amanda September 16, 2014 - 8:21 am

Yup, I think that might be the solution.

Reply
Bear Tracks Blog September 15, 2014 - 1:42 pm

MacGyver! Great job! This was too funny.

Reply
LuAnn September 15, 2014 - 2:44 pm

Very funny and very happy to hear that all ended well.

Reply
Karen from NM September 15, 2014 - 9:34 pm

I’m sure at the time it wasn’t funny, but thank you for the laugh!

Reply
Amanda September 16, 2014 - 8:22 am

It wasn’t funny the first time, but the second time all we could do was laugh :)

Reply
Alana November 11, 2021 - 6:27 pm

You have no idea how much this just saved us as my husband just hit the lock on his way out! We were able to literally duplicate this with the window next to the door (next to the couch) and pull it unlocked. This was comical but also so useful to us

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days on the road

About The Watsons

About The Watsons

This is the story of Tim & Amanda. Since 2012, we have traveled the U.S. while living and working from our renovated 25-foot Airstream. Follow us on our crazy journey in search of beautiful scenery, fun adventures, interesting people, tasty foods, and more…

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