I had a similar problem but got lucky. Spinning it around several times with some jiggling finally caused it to catch and I was able to get in. You're dead on about the missing screw on the plate being the problem. In my case it was both screws loose but neither missing. It was also slowly getting looser with time, so that's a warning for future RVers: if your deadbolt mechanism feels "looser", open it up and tighten both screws on that retention plate (and yeah, blue loctite while you're at it)
Was at a Local Lodge Thursday, Some one needed to get someone to open up a Motor Home, containing 3 Dogs and 4 Adult's, Being a Locksmith, jumped on it, they had keys and turns the locks. Knew it was not Lock/Key related. Crawled through back window. They had removed inside cover tried pulling bolt back, So I used their Needlenose, and my Leatherman. Door popped open. Stepped the ground, Someone else locked keys Motorhome, got them in, Charged $20 each. The first People walked up and gave me another $40?
I had a similar problem but got lucky. Spinning it around several times with some jiggling finally caused it to catch and I was able to get in. You're dead on about the missing screw on the plate being the problem. In my case it was both screws loose but neither missing. It was also slowly getting looser with time, so that's a warning for future RVers: if your deadbolt mechanism feels "looser", open it up and tighten both screws on that retention plate (and yeah, blue loctite while you're at it)
Two sticks of dynamite and a long fuse worked for me.
Was at a Local Lodge Thursday, Some one needed to get someone to open up a Motor Home, containing 3 Dogs and 4 Adult's, Being a Locksmith, jumped on it, they had keys and turns the locks. Knew it was not Lock/Key related. Crawled through back window. They had removed inside cover tried pulling bolt back, So I used their Needlenose, and my Leatherman. Door popped open. Stepped the ground, Someone else locked keys Motorhome, got them in, Charged $20 each. The first People walked up and gave me another $40?
Broke key in dead bolt would not turn, so maybe drilling out is the only option
works beautifully
Thanks!