Hitch pin or hitch lock?

[stlsailorrv]

The receiver on my 2014 Sequoia is made in such a way that lack of room makes it difficult to get the hairpin over the hitch pin.

One solution would be a longer hitch pin but I haven’t found one longer than the 4” of the current one.

Another solution would be a hitch lock which would be easier to attach and detach. However, I don’t know if those are made simply to lock the hitch in place while stored, or they are strong enough to use while towing your vehicle.

I’m not sure of a need for a lock for a lock’s sake. My weight distributing hitch is so heavy that I can’t imagine they get stolen often. And, I’ve seen hitch lock/coupler lock sets, but again, it seems improbable to me that travel trailers are often targets for theft. So, unless there’s more of that going on than I know, I’m thinking mainly about a solution that makes things easier.

If you recommend a hitch lock, have you had good or bad luck with a specific brand?

[wrenchbender]

Iam cheap I use a 3/16 bolt and nut setup with a 12point head without 12 sockets you need a pair of vice grips to remove it

[GrandpaKip]

Been using a locking pin on the Andersen hitch about 5 years now. Think it’s a Reese, key fits in the end. It’s just for those opportunistic thieves.

[Lynnmor]

I put the ball back in the coupler and lock the latch. That way it is off the ground, both the hitch and trailer is locked and the greasy ball stays clean and out of the way. The bars are stored in a tongue mounted toolbox that held the chocks and blocks while traveling.

[Hondavalk]

Have been leaving my hitch on the ground in front of the trailer for decades also.

[PatrickA51]

BarneyS wrote:
I have a Trimax locking pin on my rig. Mine is the stainless steel 3 1/2 inch long SXT5 that fits the newer trucks 2.5 inch receivers. I have had mine for about 7 years and it works perfectly. No need for a "hairpin".
Barney

I do not tow a trailer with my RV I tow a Jeep Grand Cherokee 4 down. I use the Trimax Locks all keyed alike. Great locks.

[Passin_Thru]

Never heard of anyone having a hitch stolen. I leave min in front of my TT all the time, have for 30 years. Locks are made to corrode thus making them impossible to unlock, just when you need them. Used to use them on my Class 8 trucks to keep the spares from being stolen but were really a hassle.

[seaeagle2]

I use a Bolt locking hitch pin, its keyed to my truck ignition key, along with a Bolt coupler pin lock, that way I can carry less keys.

[stlsailorrv]

BarneyS wrote:
I have a Trimax locking pin on my rig. Mine is the stainless steel 3 1/2 inch long SXT5 that fits the newer trucks 2.5 inch receivers. I have had mine for about 7 years and it works perfectly. No need for a "hairpin".
Barney

Well, if you've used it that long and given it doesn't need a hairpin, that's a pretty good recommendation. I just might go for it.

[samsontdog]

The hitch that came with my TT cost the previous owner over $700. He used it one time and then his Wife got sick. I bought the TT and a bunch of "stuff" that came with it. I all ways lock the hith etc to my P/Up. I cannot under stand people who take there hitch pin out then set everthing on the ground in front of there TT and leave it there

[stlsailorrv]

I started this thread thinking that merely a longer hitch pin would be a good solution. It turns out, this is not as simple a question as I expected.

I found a video from a guy whose company had lost several trailers while towing using standard hitch pins. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubP0bsXZju8 I’d never heard anyone mention the need to change hairpins frequently. He thought the swivel hitch pin might be a better design.

But, I found a video that makes me very hesitant to consider a swivel hitch pin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0ZL_FdOs5U.

I decided to confirm my suspicion that trailer theft was not really an issue. I ended up confirming I was wrong – not an everyday occurrence, but more prevalent than I’d thought. So, a receiver locking pin seemed like a good idea.

I looked for reviews on the Trimax locking pin. That showed up a video that seemed to show that the Trimax locking pin (at least the model shown) was extremely easy to pick. Hmmm. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODFzvS-YRt0

So what locking pin was secure? I searched on “hitch lock picked” and I was surprised by how many YouTube videos showed it easy to pick locking pins. One was even titled “How to steal a locked tow hitch in 2 seconds.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CdFgFBdU5U

I’d hoped to find a locking pin that was unable to be defeated very quickly. So far I haven’t, though I can’t say for certain there’s not one. For now, I’m back to thinking that I should refocus back on ease of use – whether longer hitch pin or locking pin – and not pay too much attention to security.

[shfd739]

I use one like this in our newer Sequoia mainly because Ive had it for years and it fits the Sequoia perfectly. Ive considered getting a newer locking hitch pin but there arent many that fit the confided space around our receiver and this works fine.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073X5FPFT/ref=s9_acsd_newrz_hd_bw_b1420t_c_x_w?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-3&pf_rd_r=Y038RP6EYQY6BRQPHQT8&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=965aaa45-b745-5c1d-94ef-6332f7ac3172&pf_rd_i=15737391

[DutchmenSport]

I've had one like BurbMan identified in his link and like enblethen, I got it at TSC.

I've been using it for 4 years now. My receiver is the 2.5 inch and my old locking pin wasn't long enough. My 2.5 receiver has the insert, so when my hitch is not attached, I use the locking pin to hold the insert in (and to keep it from getting lost or stolen). I also use the same pin when towing. Works very well, no failures after 4 years.

[enblethen]

Suggest going to a place like Tractor Supply. They have hitch pins in various lengths.

[downtheroad]

This will solve your problem....

Master Lock Swivel Hitch Pin LINK