5th wheel lock?

[paulbeauchemin]

Was buying a hitch to tow my 5th wheel and the salesman wanted to know if I wanted a lock.

Is this something I should have?
Is the lock to keep people from stealing the hitch or the trailer?


thanks

[ependydad]

I use a simple lock whenever my camper is in storage. I don't bother locking it up when I'm at a campsite- there's a **** ton of stuff to get us travel ready.. if someone is going through all that hassle to steal my rig, well... I have insurance.


http://learntorv.com/fifth-wheel-security-king-pin-lock/

[Cummins12V98]

CarolynandBob wrote:
I have no locks.

Does anyone have 1st hand knowledge of:

A) Hitch being stolen out of a truck?

B) Ever came back to their truck and trailer and someone has opened the jaws on your hitch?

If we stop I always do a walk around and look to make sure the jaws are still closed.

I am betting the lock manufactures thought of a way to make people buy locks.

Plenty of reports of hitches stolen and hitch handles being pulled on the "internet" but ya know ya can't believe ANYTHING you read there!

[CarolynandBob]

I have no locks.

Does anyone have 1st hand knowledge of:

A) Hitch being stolen out of a truck?

B) Ever came back to their truck and trailer and someone has opened the jaws on your hitch?

If we stop I always do a walk around and look to make sure the jaws are still closed.

I am betting the lock manufactures thought of a way to make people buy locks.

[jnharley]

We put a pin lock on every time we unhittch. It only keeps honest people honest but it makes us feel good so why not.

[JIMNLIN]

I use a 3/8" x 18" long grade 70 transport chain with a big heavy Master padlock around the pin if needed.
The extra length hanging down keeps me from banking my head on the pin when were set up on hilly terrain.

[memtb]

Some of the pin locks are pretty difficult to defeat. Truckers use them quite a lot on their dropped trailers. We use one, it's at the very least,a deterrent! memtb

[Rainier]

Locks keep honest people honest. Buy a lock...If someone really wanted to steal your rig, they would find a way. That's what Insurance is for.

[BB_TX]

Since you were only buying the hitch, I would guess he meant a lock for the hitch. But there are two possibilities there. Some people put a lock on to secure the hitch to the truck bed so the hitch can't be easily removed from the truck. And some people put a lock on the pull handle so someone can't walk by and pull your release handle while you are stopped at a rest area, service station, restaurant, etc.

One for the release handle is a simple padlock. Depending on the type of hitch and locking it to the bed, a simple padlock may work there also. Or you may need a lock with a long shank to secure it to the rail(s).

I don't use either since I have a roll type tonneau cover to cover and hide the hitch when not towing, and we never leave the 5er unattended at any rest stop or service station along the way. And we do not stop and go into restaurants during travel times.

[Cummins12V98]

I don't like locks! Only 5 on my hitch.

[Stefonius]

I put a lock on my kingpin when I'm not towing, because I don't want anyone (mostly in the storage lot) moving it without my authorization. Of course, there's not much I can do if they're using a front-end loader.

[FrankShore]

Perfect Solution For This Kind Of Worry

[laknox]

Locks keep marginally honest people honest. A pro will have any lock off in seconds, if he really wants your FW or hitch. Just make d@mn-sure you have good insurance and don't leave valuables in your FW. If you =must= leave such behind frequently, then check out the various GPS tracking systems.

HEY! There's an idea. Have an OnStar-like device tied to your trailer brakes. Trailer gets stolen? Use a phone app, and lock 'em up. :B Yeah, yeah, brake wires could be cut, but it would mean time that a thief might not want to spend.

Lyle

[DReisinger]

I use a padlock on the end of the pin that holds the hitch to the rails

[MFL]

It could be meant either way. You can buy a lock that goes on pin of trailer, for trailer theft. You can also lock many hitch handles, so they can not be opened easily by a prankster. In some cases, hitch types, you can lock the hitch to the truck, to prevent hitch theft.

What do you want a lock to do for you?

Jerry