Ideas for protecting my hitch from theft

[mrwacky]

I had my pickup in for some service and the mechanic along with another customer pointed out to me that I needed to protect my new 5th wheel hitch from being stolen. I had not considered this threat before now, but with the number of drug addicts and low lifes around, I guess I should take some precaution.

If you have yours locked down, how did you do it? Mine has these four pins that keep the hitch attacked to the bottom rails.I don't see any way of chaining it down.

It's a Curt 20,000lb model.

[Delaine_and_Lin]

Never met anyone in person who had a 5th wheel hitch stolen !!! However a 1/4" drill bit and any pull pins can be made to attach a pad lock. Most RV supply houses (Camping World) has the washer type that slips over the pull pin to insert a pad lock... But locks only keeps honest people honest. It they want it, they will get it... Happy Trails...

[mowermech]

I towed a fifth wheel around the West for almost three years. I used the truck for a daily driver, parking it in mall parking lots, tourist trap parking lots, etc. I never had a pin pulled from my hitch, never had any attempt (that I was aware of) to steal it. Never met anybody who had any such problems. We were mostly in California, Washington, and Montana, although we traveled through Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Oregon, and Idaho.
So, does the risk actually justify the paranoia?
I don't think so.
BUT, if such "theft stopping" gadgets and gizmos make YOU feel better and/or more secure, then they are worth it!

[Curly2001]

Why risk theft when a couple of locks will at least slow em down. It will also keep the kids from pulling the pins and then NOT being able to tow home unless you keep spares...which I doubt you do.
Curly

[Cummins12V98]

ependydad wrote:
Some people weld tabs onto them so that they can be padlocked.

I have a hard bed cover that locks.

(edit to add) Though, that's not why I have the bed cover. I have that because I wanted it. I figure my hitch is heavy and would be a hassle to be stolen. That's enough for me.

Top 1/2 is easily stolen on your B&W, the most expensive part. Drill out the holes on the two steel pins to fit a small padlock. Also use a Padlock on your handle.

There are some on this site that will say that I am paranoid for locking so many things.

[57_Panhead]

Mine is under a Pace/Edwards locking roll up bed cover but around here I trust NOTHING. 2 nights ago some water-head tried to steal my 25 HP Merc motor off my fishing boat. Parked in the driveway right under our bedroom and never heard a thing. I don't know if they got spooked or just gave up when they saw the massive lock on the clamp wings and all the steering controls etc. If I would have heard it however they would have been staring down the barrel of a 12gauge.

Steve

[transamz9]

It might be to hard to chain the hitch to the truck but pretty easy to chain a Rottweiler in there......LOL

[2oldman]

When the first person on here report a stolen hitch.. maybe.

[45Ricochet]

ChooChooMan74 wrote:
You guys may laugh, but I had a derailment at work...why?? They stole the track! Yes, pieces of the track were stolen. So, if it is metal, it may be stolen!

CSX train derails in Taunton; police investigate theft of railroad tracks

Huh only took one 900 lb 8' section. Must have had a half ton truck. :B
What idiots. Where are they going to cash in on it? Most likely all recycle centers are already aware of it. And I'm pretty sure it took more than 2 guys to load it into the truck :W

[Lantley]

Hitches are simply heavy and too cumbersome to steal. In addition they are a specialty item with no real black market.
Don't worry about the hitch. It is very unlikely it will be stolen. As others have eloquently said, a thief is much more likely to steal the entire truck than goof around with the hitch

[tsetsaf]

Just leave something else in the bed that is easier to grab and easier to fence... like your toolbox :).

Never heard of anyone's hitch being stolen. But like a few others I too have a bed cover that keeps it out of sight and out of mind. Also I called Geico and added the hitch to my policy with a value equal to buying a new Superglide.

[ChooChooMan74]

You guys may laugh, but I had a derailment at work...why?? They stole the track! Yes, pieces of the track were stolen. So, if it is metal, it may be stolen!

CSX train derails in Taunton; police investigate theft of railroad tracks

[mrwacky]

Thanks for the comments and suggestions. We have more meth houses here in Southern Nevada than McDonalds. You can't leave anything unattended and have confidence it won't be taken.

[Terryallan]

If their man enough to unbolt, and pick up the 5er hitch. I say. Letem have it. I ain't arguing with them. then turn it in on insurance.

[talonhead]

They might be heavy, but azzhats will steal your tailgate right off your truck! Or the 3rd row seat out of your SUV. But locking it will only keep honest folks honest. If someone wants it, they'll take it (or jack up your truck trying)
I'm lucky, no one wants to come up my drive at the house anyway. But on the road/away from home when not hooked up, I have a large diameter plastic cable that loops through the bottom frame of the hitch and the tie-down loops in the bed with a big lock. It justs makes it harder for them. Same with a pin lock on the trailer.
MikeH

[TakingThe5th]

Last year I left my truck unlocked in the driveway. In the morning I saw that everything was opened - glove box, console, front door, etc - and the only thing missing was the change I kept in the console. They did not take the smaller toolbox from the cab. They did not take the hitch. They did not find any electronics in the truck, just the holders which they left.

The police said all they usually take is money and electronics and it is amazing how many people leave their wallets and purses in the vehicle.

Just saying ... I lock things up now, but I haven't secured the hitch. I have secured my snowblower using bicycle cable and locks with long hasps that can be put through the bed rails for the hitch. I would probably do something similar for the hitch.