Child Locks

[CovKid]

Could find no reference to child locks but my Caravelle appears to have none. With concerns that my five year old (up front) may get bored and open a door when we're flying along, I've removed the lock button but any other suggestions other than actually disconnecting the door opener on the inside?

[andisnewsyncro]

I don't think any vehicle has child locks on the front doors, and if you disconnect the mech then it's an MOT fail - AFAIK you have to be able to open front doors from the inside. Not sure what to suggest on this one; boxing gloves

[Cafnod]

Hi Ralph thought you would have noticed lack of them earlier. Can you change the lock for one that has the facility?
OR fit central locking and a master switch to lock all doors mounted on drivers side of cab?
Question is it legal to have a five year old in the front? I thought they were only allowed to sit up front if no rear seats available?
From the inside and the outside on vehicles up to class VII, when I was testing ON heavy goods vehicles its different, you can make a door not open for security reasons but if its broken its a fail.

[CovKid]

Yes its legal in a motorhome/van if there are no or inadequate seat belts in rear.

[Cafnod]

Dont caravelles have rear seatbelts then? Our van does.

[CovKid]

The only other thing I could think of was some kind of relay set up that locks the door when vehicle in motion. I know black cabs have a facility that as long as the driver has his foot on the brake, the rear doors won't open. Yes has rear seat belts but mine is converted now and I won't put him in a lap belt - don't see it as remotely adequate which is why hes on a booster with a proper seat belt.

[andisnewsyncro]

My Mum's Citroen Berlingo has a big switch to lock all the doors from inside, perhaps something like that would work - like you say a relay to central locking mech ? Not certain on the legality of locking your passengers in but from a child safety point of view it might be different ?

[Cafnod]

Fully agree re lap belts, vile things. Thats why we bought the Berlingo, five three point belts, not common at the time (01).
If you have central locking then fit an master switch to lock all doors over by your side of the cab. If you need any machining done to anything I can help with that as long as i get joint credit in wiki. lol
I have only done a bit with locks, mainly opening them on lockouts for punters but I cannot see that a childlock mod would be impossible, can we get hold of a lock with one and see how they do it?
BTW do you have C/L? Is it worth fitting, I see its cheap as chips now.

[CovKid]

The answer has to be something thats difficult for a child to open, but not an adult I guess, rather than completely locking it so no one can open it. That would conform with an MOT then too. Or....some kind of magnetically powered lock bolt that stays in place as long as engine is running.

[Cafnod]

That would be easy peasy, just take eed from ignition switch, you could do it from A1 or A2 notch, that way even if you pull over on motorway and switch ignition off lock stays on.
Find a relay bolt I can make mounting and actuating hardware.

[eric]

CK,
When I have my inquisitive 6 yr old granddaughter in the front on a child-seat, I have found that if the seat is moved as far as it can go toward the windscreen, the button is behind her, even out of her peripheral vision. This does two things .. it is out of sight, therefore out of mind and for her to actually get to it, she would have to twist awkwardly around to reach it.

I understand your concern.

Eric.

[eatcustard]

No car has front child locks.

Only rear doors


Best option is to use gaffer take to tie them down

or get central locking fitted and lock from yourside

[pionte]

can you not just lock the door then unscrew the little black pop up and down locking knob? That way you cant unlock the door by pulling the release handle......simples
keep the knob in the ashtray so not to loose it.

[CovKid]

Already done that but it doesn't stop a 5 year old pulling up the thread - try it yourself and you'll see what I mean.

[eatcustard]

Teach your lad, not to do it