Forum Discussion

DallasSteve's avatar
Jun 17, 2020

Do You Trust Hitch Locks?

I'm buying a tow bar to tow my Jeep behind my motorhome. I went to the auto parts store to buy a bolt to attach it to the receiver on the RV. The clerk showed me a product like this below which locks the tow bar to the receiver. I worry that the lock may fail or I might not close it correctly and it comes lose while I'm towing and I have to hope that my safety cables do their job. Are these the way to go or should I buy a tough nut and bolt to secure the hitch?

  • Use a regular pin with the hole in it. Buy a padlock and Drill out the pin to the size of the lock. I did this when I had my WD hitch on the Excursion.

    I currently have a similar pin as you shown. Had it with our sleds and now for the towbar. Haven’t had an issue with it!
  • Another method is to find small locks that fit the grooveon the hitch pin in pianotuna's post. I've got the same quandry with my tow setup; I want to lock everything that is in sight.
    For the pins that are out of sight and won't be removed until the end of the towing session, I'll probably use lynch pins such as these on those hitch pins:



    then wrap a stout wire tie around the pin and object to keep it in place.
    My MH mounted Roadmaster is the crossbar type with these lynch pins; I have a pair of padlocks for them but need 4, and will have to lock the pin on the MH hitch as well.
  • On my ATV trailer I use a locking pin similar to those above, plus a hitch anti-rattle, Not so much for the anti-rattle, but as a secondary means of securing the hitch for added peace of mind.
  • I had a hitch arm fail and bend over one of these Blue Ox pins. Hitch Pins To disconnect the toad I had to remove the locking end and pound the pin out but the key port was destroyed. It took a VERY large hammer, a very heavy drift and a LOT of pounding before the locking end finally let go. Once that end is properly locked on, It won't let go. Not sure about your pin pictured.
  • I may be wrong here but I suspect that 99% of all draw bars are held on with a hitch pin of some sort whether locking or not instead of a nut and bolt. I use a locking type myself.

    I use one like this as it keys to your ignition key
    https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch-Lock/Bolt/BL7018448.html

    One less key to keep track of or lose. Not getting out of the driveway without the ignition key for the truck no matter what. They also make other types of locks that also use your ignition key.
  • Hi,

    There are pins that have a clip to secure them. The lock adds a hint of protection.