Lock for a Shelby 5104 coupler

That is the coupler I have on my trailer and I simply use an old fashioned Master combination lock. It has been on there for 11 years and still opens fine. You don't have to use a "coupler lock" but just any lock that will fit will work.
Barney

I have 8 different places around the house and on my trailers that use padlocks that are keyed alike. Just use the padlock, of your choice, that fits the hole.

Hi,

I 100% agree that when towing you want/need to have the coupler pinned or locked closed.

That said, I pin mine.


I do have a long shank Master Pad lock in the camper that I have 3 of them keyed alike. I use 2 of them on my generator cable and the other on the bicycles.

Here is a quick hit on a similar one. Mine came in a set of 3.
Master Long Shank lock

I use those 3 locks for multiple things on the camper from time to time.

As far as camper theft, just locking the coupler will not slow down a low life from stealing your camper. If you have a 2 5/16" coupler like many campers do, they can steal the camper with a 2" or 1 7/8" ball and haul it off to later cut off the lock and use a 2 5/16".

For security, I use this one. It works with that Shelby coupler
Master Ball Coupler Lock

The ball coupler types of locks slow the low life down, but if they want the camper bad enough, even these will not stop them. If there are a lot of campers around to pick from, using a ball coupler lock may deter them to move on to easier picking.

If you have an old tow ball, cut the thread shank off of it, put it in the coupler and lock the coupler. It works as good as the store bought ones.

Hope this helps and good luck

John

Thanks all. The coupler lock I bought does physically fit but has the concern of the exposed shank, which can be sawed or cut with bolt cutters. Wouldn't the Master Long Shank lock have the same issue?

The hardened shanks will slow them down, even with a bolt cutter. They will need a real big one... but cutt'able. Anyone who works in an industrial maintenance dept knows how to get through a lock... They call it "The Master Key".... About a 4 foot long bolt cutter

Shank exposed or not, a battery powered grinder with a cut off wheel on it will cut through lock or shank in no time. Just it makes noise.

Like this one


If they want it bad enough, there is no lock that will stop them. Locks are for honest folks or at least those with some level of self worth. The low life that steals someone's camper, a lock will not matter. It will however slow them down to give you a chance and at least tell your insurance agent, it was locked.

Stay warm down there is Fla. Send some heat up our way...

John

When camped, I attach the hitch to the coupler and padlock it. That way both the trailer and the hitch is secured with a hardened padlock. Yes, it is still only a padlock, but better than nothing. To ease the installation of the hitch into the receiver or the coupler, I can carry it with one hand using this tool:

Lynnmor,

I like your hitch head carrier. Did you make that?

I sense a project coming my way. Maybe it can help from getting me greased up... Seems my pant legs have a magnetic attraction to the hithc grease...

Thanks for sharing

John

JBarca wrote:
If they want it bad enough, there is no lock that will stop them.

Understood, just keeping the honest people semi-honest.

I think to take it a step up, I'll try to put some metal collars on the shank, so one has to cut through both, and hopefully the collars will be spinning wildly while you try to cut. Maybe. And I think that won't cause me too much grief using it.

NE Florida went to 43 tonight. Brr. Think I'll move to Florida. They say it's always sunny and 72 year 'round in Florida.................

Master Lock used to make a extra secure padlock just like you are looking for, but don't think it's available anymore. I bought one some 20+ years ago and is in the pics below. Also, both sides of the "U" locks into the main body so to remove you have to remove the entire main lock portion and not just cut the top part loose. It's about the best you can do IMO, but like has been mentioned nothing is 100% and if they really want it the will get it.





Larry

JBarca wrote:
Lynnmor,

I like your hitch head carrier. Did you make that?

I sense a project coming my way. Maybe it can help from getting me greased up... Seems my pant legs have a magnetic attraction to the hithc grease...

John

Yes, I made it. It works great and allows the hitch to be carried either way, unlike a current commercial product. I need to do some research to see if it will fit most hitches, and still maintain balance, or if some redesign is needed to made it a marketable product.
My current project is an in-bed bicycle rack that will take up the least amount of space as possible and still be easy to load.