Fifth wheel hitch theft

[JCher]

Hi all. New to a fifth wheel and just had my hitch installed. I notice that the hitch is attached to the bed rails with four pins. Has anyone ever had their hitch stolen from the bed of their truck? Maybe I am seeing a potential problem that doesn't really exist. Thanks. I pick up my fifth wheel on Thursday. Looking forward to that.

[Likes_to_tow]

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!

[Splashers3]

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.

[PatnRich]

It could happen, but I don't worry about it. You need two men and a boy to remove my Super Glide.

[hmar1]

I lock mine, lock only cost about $15.00 and gives you piece mind. Its better safe than sorry.

[Shepherd]

Lock it if it gives you piece of mind, I sleep above mine.:C

[Old-Biscuit]

JCher wrote:
Thanks everyone. My wife says I worry too much. I guess I do. Thanks again.

Worrying is OK as long as it doesn't become paranoid :B

I've had several hitches in various trucks in numerous locations and never had it stolen. They were always in the bed cause I didn't want to remove them.

When towing and you have stopped (rest stop, lunch etc.) get into the routine of doing a walk around check.
Look at the tires, check the hitch latched, check the emergency cable, check the pigtail, look over the rig.

I always do two....one with an IR Thermometer to check hubs, tires on 5vr & truck (check rotors on truck), inspect tires.
Only takes a couple of minutes.

Then when I get back I do another check...just in case I missed something OR somebody has been messing around.

[FLY_4_FUN]

For the price I paid for my hitch its locked in place! Im not a fan of hoping everybody is as honest as I am. This advice goes for my Honda genset, my mountain bikes and is the reason I have a hard-wired surge protector vs portable.

Daryll

[TOOBOLD]

If they want to lift that heavy thing out of the bed of my truck then they need it more than I do and may they rupture a disc doing so.

[B_O__Plenty]

Just drill one of the holes in the pins out enough to put a padlock through it. My Super Glide is so heavy that I wouldn't want to meet the guy trying to steal it.

B.O.

[in5r]

I have been using these. http://www.etrailer.com/Locks/Reese/RP58093.html

[wrgrs50s]

Call me paranoid but I use a cable and it is locked to the bed of my truck and the other end is locked to the hitch latch. My Draw Tight can be disassembled in 2 pieces, so it would be easy to take off the head, then pull the 4 pins and be gone with the base. The cable would just slow them down, but might make someone pass it up because of the added trouble to steal.

[tvman44]

Possible but not likely. Although mine is locked. 🙂

[hammer21661]

JCher wrote:
Thanks everyone. My wife says I worry too much. I guess I do. Thanks again.

I worried at first too but now I don't. Once you get a few scratches in the head you'll worry less.

[JCher]

Thanks everyone. My wife says I worry too much. I guess I do. Thanks again.

[twins89]

As stated they are heavy. On their return home my husbands aunt and uncle had some wiseass pull their breakaway. A trucker flagged them about 1/2 from their last stop indicating breaks were smoking. Just always check the pin (get a lock to keep it from being pulled) and the breakaway. Welcome to the forum and enjoy the experience.