Well, we just got back today from our first trip with our new Georgetown MH. Everything went great, everyone had an absolute blast.
However, we ran into an issue or two with all the 'dummy protection' programming our towed vehicle has. We tow a 2007 Kia Sedona van on an ACME EZE dolly. Our dolly has no pivot table, so I have to leave the steering column free to turn. Since vehicle has a steering wheel lock, this means leaving key in ignition, in 'Accessory' position to allow wheels to turn.
Problem: To keep you from locking keys in car, Our Sedona will not let you lock doors when key is in the ignition. Tried manually locking all doors, they unlock right back when you close door with key in ignition. Hit the lock button on remote, it does nothing. Soooo, whole time we're towing, I have to leave all doors unlocked.
Already talked to Kia dealer about removing the steering column lock, they refuse to do it. Maybe driving down the road with all doors on the van unlocked shouldn't bother me, but it does.
Has anyone else ran into this problem? Is it advisable to try and find another mechanic (non dealer) and have them remove the steering column lock? Does anyone else just live with the fact that their towed car has to be left unlocked when being towed? We don't keep anything valuable in the towed vehicle, but we do carry all our bicycles in the back of it.
I know that we can (and do) lock it when we stop, and only time its left unlocked with key in it is when on the road. I also realize there is very little chance anyone would get into it and try anything when on the road, at a stop light or whatever. Still, I'd really like to be able to lock the vehicle.
It seems this must be an issue for a lot of folks, and I'm wondering what other folks have done about this?
Also, Kia recommends towing on a dolly in Neutral, not park. Key will NOT come out of ignition with transmission in any gear but 'Park'. Soo, I will still have to leave a key in ignition for that reason, meaning doors will not lock. Sooo, going to a dolly that has a pivot table will not solve this, either.
Even if I spend the $$ to set up the vehicle for 4 down towing instead of the dolly, this would still be an issue, as the front wheels would still need to be unlocked and tranny would need to be in neutral (so please don't tell me how great it is to tow 4 down, because that really does not solve this issue).
It seems what I need in order to take the key out and lock the vehicle when towing is two fold:
1. Remove wheel lock, so wheels can turn without key in ignition
2. Remove/disable 'dummy' feature, that won't let key out of ignition unless tranny is in 'Park'.
Thoughts? Anyone know if this is even possible, or advisable? Am I just being too 'paranoid' about having to leave the car unlocked and keyh in ignition when towing? Is this common practice when towing a vehicle where you need the front wheels to be free to steer?
Will & Angela
2 children that love camping, Stephen & Allison
2012 FR Georgetown 351DS on F53 (V10) Chassis Our Rig
i'd take it to an independent mechanic and have the steering wheel lock removed/disabled, whatever it takes to get the doors to lock with the key in the ignition. maybe removing a fuse will accomplish that? did kia give you a reason for refusing the remove the steering wheel lock?
73,
rich, n9dko www.bananaboatbytes.com
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Beverley&Ken wrote: Have you tried locking the doors with a key in the drivers door. Our Honda would not stay locked after closing the door with a key in the ignition, or by using the remote. We were however able to lock the doors with a key in the drivers door, even with a key in the ignition.
Beverley and Ken
...Did not try that. Think I will here in a little bit...
Have you gone to a hardware store and had a key made that doesn't have the chip in it? I would try this first as it may not activate the "dummy" system. That is what we use on our Jeep. It will turn the ignition but if you start the car it will only run a couple of seconds without the chip in the key. That make not work for you but it doesn't cost much money or effort to try.
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accsys wrote: Have you gone to a hardware store and had a key made that doesn't have the chip in it? I would try this first as it may not activate the "dummy" system. That is what we use on our Jeep. It will turn the ignition but if you start the car it will only run a couple of seconds without the chip in the key. That make not work for you but it doesn't cost much money or effort to try.
Sort of. We are using an extra key we had the kia dealer make for us. Not sure if it has a chip in it, but dealer told us it would only start the car for a second if they did not program the key for us. We told them not to program it thinking that would be just what we want. Well, they were wrong - the key starts the car fine and it does not shut off. That being the case, not sure if a non-dealer key would help or not.
Have you tried locking the doors with a key in the drivers door. Our Honda would not stay locked after closing the door with a key in the ignition, or by using the remote. We were however able to lock the doors with a key in the drivers door, even with a key in the ignition.
Beverley and Ken
2006 Winnebago Outlook 29B E-450.
2012 Honda CR-V AWD
Blue Ox Aventa LX tow bar and Brake Buddy Vantage.
skipnchar wrote: You're not likely to have anybody break into your car while it's being towed down the highway. Seems the answer is to simply remove the keys when you stop for meals or any other reason when you're not right with the vehicle. It's not believable EVEN in the movies when someone leaps aboard a moving rig and drives away with the car.
Oh, I know. I realize while moving, there is very little if any risk of anyone getting in the car and doing anything even if its unlocked.
I was thinking more about the risk when traveling through cities/towns, and stopped at a stop light, someone sees the key in the ignition, realizes the vehicle is unlocked, and quickly runs by, opens the rear hatch and grabs one or two of the bicycles we have in the back. That, or just jumps in to hop a ride or whatever. You never know what kind of wackos are out there these days.
Glad to have found a very simple (duh!) solution to the problem.
Beverley&Ken wrote: Have you tried locking the doors with a key in the drivers door. Our Honda would not stay locked after closing the door with a key in the ignition, or by using the remote. We were however able to lock the doors with a key in the drivers door, even with a key in the ignition.
Beverley and Ken
Wow, now I feel kinda dumb. Sometimes the simple things solve the problems.
This worked, I can lock it with key in ignition, by using another key to lock drivers door from outside.
Amazing how we get so dependant on tech stuff like remnote/power locks, we forget about the simple, old fashioned way of doing things, like using a key.
Well, guess we don't need to remove the steering column lock or dummy protection devices after all.
You're not likely to have anybody break into your car while it's being towed down the highway. Seems the answer is to simply remove the keys when you stop for meals or any other reason when you're not right with the vehicle. It's not believable EVEN in the movies when someone leaps aboard a moving rig and drives away with the car.
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