Fifth wheel hitch theft

Locking the release arm might be a good thing, although I don't do it. When we pull into a truck stop or rest area, one of us is always either in the truck or very close around it so it's always in sight. I will be sure to add it to my walk-around though. Good idea to check it and the breakaway switch as well.

While parked at a campground, we keep our roll-up tonneu cover closed and the tailgate locked. The only way to get into the back would be to cut open the cover, climb into the truck, and wrestle that 200# pound hitch out of there. No quick feat, unless you are a tall weight lifter! And a cardinal rule of thieves is to get in quick, grab what you came for, and get out quick, with a little hassel as possible. Pretty tough under those conditions!

45Ricochet wrote:
They also have these little clips you can use.



I only use one and think it was about $2.

Where did you find those interesting-looking items? Can you provide a link, or more info?

A rational fear is having your release lever pulled. Lock that.

They also have these little clips you can use.



I only use one and think it was about $2.

I'll admit that I haven't worried about my hitch getting stolen. I also don't have a lock on the release arm when I'm hooked up, I do always check to make sure that it wasn't pulled while we are out of the truck.

But my last trip we overnighted at a Wal-mart and the parking lot was slightly up hill. Then it hit me that it might be a good idea to lock the release arm while sleeping. The landing grear and stablizers are up, the trailer could just roll back and land right on the bed!

I get a kick out of ones who say they have never had a problem. In the last 30 years I have not had to put my spare tire on my car. So I guess it is a waste of space and money to carry a spare.

I bet the last person to have something stolen today probably would have told you yesterday they have never had a problem.

I lock my hitch mainly to prevent 8 year old rug rats from messing with it. My Niece had their 8 year old pull the locking pins on a Reese slider. They had some interesting towing as the trailer slid back and forth at the first stop sign.

Never heard of it happening but I am in the market for a new one where are you parked ;).

Splashers3 wrote:
We have 2 locks on the bedrails, and have the 2 that are not locked facing inward. Somebody would have to climb in the bed to pull those, can't be reached from standing outside on the ground. The first year or so we locked the hitch release, but we don't anymore.

I try to check everything when we stop, buy doing a walk around, before I climb back in and head out.

Oh, forgot, we have had the pin removed from our landing gear foot pad. I check those all the time too.

I also drilled two of my pins for padlocks and when on the road put a lock on the release handle. I do the same thing of the unlocked bed pins slide them in the other direction and put the clips on from the inside out inside the hitch rails. I put the locked one on opposite corners. I have about 8 2" shank locks all keyed to the same key.

Chris

Years ago I had a receiver hitch stolen off the back of my truck in Houston. I use locks on all my hitches now.

Theft is becoming a problem in many areas due to the drug culture we live in today. I would suggest locks on a hitch costing this much. Pulling pins and taking it in two sections like my Reese would be easy. I also highly recommmend using a lock on the release handle. We saw two pinheads pull a release lever on a hitch at a fuel station once and then walk away to watch the results when the driver returned from paying for his fuel. They were able to pull the latch handle because an 18 wheeler had blocked their view. I quickly alerted the driver of the danger and tragedy was averted. The pinheads wearing their trousers halfway down their butts could hardly run with the crotch of their pants at knee level. What is wrong with today's youth!