Opinions on best anti theft hitch lock type device.

[Reisender]

Hey folks. Any opinions on the best anti theft hitch lock device? It’s a little 18 foot trailer. If that means anything. Specific brand names and models are welcome. And reasons you like the product.

Thanks in advance.

[msmith1_wa]

This seems like a good one. Coupler lock

There was a story in my local newspaper yesterday regarding a travel trailer that was stolen during the day. It made the paper because the thief crashed into another vehicle and the trailer was taken from a pastor.

[wing_zealot]

I use a regular padlock and an insurance policy, YOMV.

[Reisender]

Wow. Lots of replies. Thanks for all the insight. We are not worried about security at home. Mostly when on the road. I think the idea is more just to make it an inconvenience so they would rather move on to somebody else’s trailer. :). I like the chain idea and the old ball locked in the receiver idea. We’ll give it some thought folks. We sure appreciate all the responses though.

Cheers.

[toedtoes]

Stealing a travel trailer isn't like stealing a vehicle because there isn't a real black market in selling parts.

That leaves most thefts in one of two categories:

1. joyriding. this will most likely be teenagers who see a bit of "fun" to be had.

2. a cheap sale to someone not interested in legalities. This was how my motorhome was stolen - the thieves sold it for a couple hundred bucks to someone who crashed in it for a couple days.

You may get the odd meth/drug dealer - but they usually are the buyer for the second type of theft.

For these types of thefts, the thieves don't usually carry around special tools. They don't care if they blow a tire, bend an axle, etc. They aren't looking to sell a 2015 trailer for $20K. They know they will only get a few bucks for it - enough money to get them by for a few days.

It's the same with coin collections. While your collection may be worth $30K, most thieves will run it through a coin machine and get maybe $100.

[valhalla360]

Thermoguy wrote:

Bmach wrote:

Thermoguy wrote:
I think I read on here that any ball lock can be bypassed, the best way to insure no once can steel it, use a thick chain and chain the 2 wheels together. Then it can't be moved because the wheels won't turn...

Remove the tires and replace. Now it can be moved. Very simple.

Or just use a battery operated cutting wheel.

Nothing is fool proof.

If someone has a cutting wheel and 2 extra tires with the right lug pattern, I think they should get the trailer and an award for being the most prepared. Many thefts are that of opportunity vs well planned out events... Just my thought. The person that originally posted did repossessions of RV's. Said that is the most difficult to reposes.

If the OP could lock it in his back yard, park a car in front of it, or otherwise store it in a safe place, would he have asked the question? I'm guessing it's at a storage lot and he is concerned someone could hook up and drive off with it. It the lot owner doesn't see a guy changing tires, due to a chain through them, then you might need to chose a different lot...

Having extra tires is pretty unlikely unless it's some sort of professional job.

A battery powered cut off wheel...$50 and 30 seconds to cut thru a chain. Some guy who works in the trades likely has one already.

[Grit_dog]

Thermoguy wrote:

If someone has a cutting wheel and 2 extra tires with the right lug pattern, I think they should get the trailer and an award for being the most prepared. Many thefts are that of opportunity vs well planned out events... Just my thought. The person that originally posted did repossessions of RV's. Said that is the most difficult to reposes.

If the OP could lock it in his back yard, park a car in front of it, or otherwise store it in a safe place, would he have asked the question? I'm guessing it's at a storage lot and he is concerned someone could hook up and drive off with it. It the lot owner doesn't see a guy changing tires, due to a chain through them, then you might need to chose a different lot...

Best post of the week!

The rest of you (you know who you are), thank you for being overtly literal in presenting your responses. Wouldn't be AreVee.net without ya!

[Grit_dog]

jdc1 wrote:
I just live in area where I don't worry about theft.

Good for you. Maybe the OP could just store it at your place then??

[Lwiddis]

Padlock the safety chains. Creates an additional barrier to theft.

[toedtoes]

My class C was stolen while I was camping with my trailer last time. Even though the thieves also broke into my house and stole my spare keys, they just ripped out the ignition and hotwired the motorhome.

So, I have learned that thieves don't care if they damage the vehicle/trailer in order to steal it. That means if there is a coupler lock, they will just hook up the chains and go. If thereis a simple chain around the tires, they will pull the trailer until the chain breaks. They'll drive it on a flat tire. And so on.

For me, I have a coupler lock. I figure it will stop the teenage kids from taking the trailer on an impromptu joyride camping trip.

I also have this tire boot claw. I hope it will make enough noise to draw attention to an ongoing theft.

You can't stop a determined theif. But you can make it more of a hassle to steal than the trailer down the street.

Now when I will be gone, I have a friend check the house and trailer/vehicle/motorhome daily.

[Thermoguy]

Bmach wrote:

Thermoguy wrote:
I think I read on here that any ball lock can be bypassed, the best way to insure no once can steel it, use a thick chain and chain the 2 wheels together. Then it can't be moved because the wheels won't turn...

Remove the tires and replace. Now it can be moved. Very simple.

Or just use a battery operated cutting wheel.

Nothing is fool proof.

If someone has a cutting wheel and 2 extra tires with the right lug pattern, I think they should get the trailer and an award for being the most prepared. Many thefts are that of opportunity vs well planned out events... Just my thought. The person that originally posted did repossessions of RV's. Said that is the most difficult to reposes.

If the OP could lock it in his back yard, park a car in front of it, or otherwise store it in a safe place, would he have asked the question? I'm guessing it's at a storage lot and he is concerned someone could hook up and drive off with it. It the lot owner doesn't see a guy changing tires, due to a chain through them, then you might need to chose a different lot...

[FrankoToo]

My TT is in my backyard behind a locked gate so not to worried about it. My neighbor puts a tire boot on his. Can't take the wheel off cuz you can't get to the lug nuts.

[2112]

I had a coupler lock similar to this on my TT. It didn't even slow them down. My TT was stolen from my driveway in broad daylight in about 45 seconds.

[valhalla360]

Carry insurance and if it makes you feel better put a $3 lock thru the latch, so it can't be opened.

If they really want it, you aren't going to stop them. At best you might discourage casual theft (tie a big orange ribbon around the $3 lock so they can see it) but any trailer worth stealing and you are up to Grand Theft charges, so not a casual action.

[Bmach]

Thermoguy wrote:
I think I read on here that any ball lock can be bypassed, the best way to insure no once can steel it, use a thick chain and chain the 2 wheels together. Then it can't be moved because the wheels won't turn...

Remove the tires and replace. Now it can be moved. Very simple.

Or just use a battery operated cutting wheel.

Nothing is fool proof.

[jdc1]

I just live in area where I don't worry about theft.