securing a travel trailer

Terryallan wrote:
OP didn't specify where he would be leaving it. If in a CG. No problem. However, IF at Wal Mart, Lowe's, or a truck stop. Better lock the coupler. Much more risk there.

yep, my BIL was storing his TT in a gas station lot in St. Charles, MO., and had it stolen. some time later as he was driving around Missouri on business he happened to meet his TT being towed in the other direction. He got it back. :)
bumpy

OP didn't specify where he would be leaving it. If in a CG. No problem. However, IF at Wal Mart, Lowe's, or a truck stop. Better lock the coupler. Much more risk there.

Bumpyroad wrote:
I think that ball lock and the ones that cover the lug nuts would be a fairly decent deterrent. at least they would slow down the theft and cause them to look elsewhere for an easier target.
bumpy

Which is all that any kind of lock can do, and generally enough.

Put a Propride or Hensley hitch on it and they won't be able to figure out how to hitch up (if you keep the stinger on your truck).

I have been on this site for about 10 years and I have never heard of a RV being stolen out of a campground. The fact is if they want it bad enough they can get it. But he likelihood of that happening is extremely remote. Quit worrying about it, just insure it, and enjoy your time camping.

I think the OP is overly paranoid or lives in New York City! Unless your in a campground really close to a large city where unruly punks freequent the nearby water there is nothing to worry about. Now kids might steal your beer cooler or an unattended bicycle, but a whole RV? Not likely

We usually leave our little Fluffy at our site when we go out to see the sites. Never had a problem.

Solution:
- Make sure your insurance is up to date and appropriate.
- Set a chair out under the awning.
- Pop a cold one or two and just relax.
- Have the wife drive to the sites, since you shouldn't drink and drive.

Unless you stay in really sketchy campgrounds, no one is going to drive away with your trailer. The vast majority of stolen trailers are in backyards or storage yards where they have plenty of time to case the situation and it will be a long time before anyone notices it's gone.

If you want to feel like you've done something, close the latch and put a padlock thru it, so it's a hassle to get hooked up.

I would avoid: removing tires, boots on the tires, or other exotic solutions as they are likely to hook up and try to drive away without checking. The end result is more damage.

Not that I would ever bother but one great idea I heard of: Mount a large sign on the back. "If you can see this sign, this trailer has been stolen." Then mount a cover over the sign with a rope to strung under to the wheels.
- When you take off, you disconnect and secure the rope, so the cover stays on.
- When the thief takes off the rotating wheels pull the rope which pulls the cover off but not until they drive away.

Buy some new Goodyear Marathons. They won't get far with it.

Bruce

Just get a ball lock. It's a ball that locks into your trailer coupler where your hitch ball goes. Quick and simple with a key.