Trailer/Boat Theft Prevention

[DYLBOSS]

I'm wondering what you all are doing to prevent some thief from hooking up your trailered boat to their truck and driving off?

I currenlty have a fairly thick chain and industrial lock on there running through the wheel and wrapped around the trailer frame, but I think someone with some powerful bolt cutters could cut it off.

Today I had some rather sketchy visitors show up at my front door all dressed in black, asking if my boat was junk and if they wanted me to take it away. I said "No, it's far from junk and is not that old!" (very clear that it isn't junk, shrink wrapped and all). Then they drove up and down the street looking at other people's property, almost scoping the scene. I called the police, and they said that this has been happening a lot lately. Afternoon burglaries when nobody is home, pilfering the property.

So, I want to put some sort of heavy duty lock system on the trailer, so that I can feel confident that my boat will be there when I get home from work everyday.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

 

[mphy98]

Re: Trailer/Boat Theft Prevention

I believe I boats sells a coupler lock that covers the whole front of the coupler. If someone wants it bad enough, they will get it. Insurance is always a good idea. that way if someone gets it, you are protected.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Trailer/Boat Theft Prevention

This for starters.>> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-...Q5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_3941wt_1167

Cheap and they won't cut through it without some major equipment.

When I kept my boat outside I put a car alarm on it. Also cheap and effective. Of course the normal hitch ball locks. I would think with those 3 relatively inexpensive levels of defense, the b******s, I mean, burglars will look elsewhere.

 

[DYLBOSS]

Re: Trailer/Boat Theft Prevention

Yeah, good thoughts. I like that Ebay one. That's kind of what I was thinking. I do have insurance, just hate the thought of showing up to my driveway seeing the thing I've spent so much time tending to, gone!

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Trailer/Boat Theft Prevention

This is what I use...

and

 

[RepoMan207]

Re: Trailer/Boat Theft Prevention

I was thinking about this very thing the other day when I did a boat repo. The guy had the trailer of his 30' Chaparral chained to a big oak tree. It took me all of 30 seconds or so to dig out the bolt cutters and walk over and chop it off. I've seen all kinds of defenses, but the best thing to do is park something in front of it if you can. That's the only time I shy away.

Other things you can try:

During the off season you can remove one side of the trailers wheels and block them up, then chain the other side and always use locking lug nuts.

During the season...chain and pray. Then there is always insurance.

If they want it bad enough....they'll get it.

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Trailer/Boat Theft Prevention

On my PWC trailer....

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Trailer/Boat Theft Prevention

If they want it bad enough....they'll get it.

This is the heart of it, locks keep honest people honest...that's about it.

Ian

 

[BTMCB]

Re: Trailer/Boat Theft Prevention

Agree. If they want it they are going to take it but locks, chains can slow them down. Also, agree insurance is your back up. Also, I like the idea of parking boat and trailer behind something.....like a nicer boat owned by a neighbor you don't like!

 

[And-Con]

Re: Trailer/Boat Theft Prevention

If you have security, and keep the boat at your house, you can convince the company to run a lead to the boat. It may sound crazy but it worked for us, just design it so it can be armed either with or without the boat in place.

 

[Bowser4x4]

Re: Trailer/Boat Theft Prevention

With some of the new cordless tools out today {specifically the Dewalt 413 28v Cutoff tool}, locks and chains have become only a minor inconvenience. At work, we have cut thru lock shackles in less than 30 seconds....

For our boat, we use a multilayer approach:

1) lock on the coupler itself
2) cable lock thru a wheel
3) A lock thru the pivot point on the trailer neck.
4) Usually park the truck in front of the boat and close enough where it can't be gotten to.

All of these can be gotten thru, but time is every crooks enemy and the longer it takes for him to get thru the layers, the more likely they are to move on to easier targets.

Woof
Bowser

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Trailer/Boat Theft Prevention

move to a nicer "hood"
I have never had anyone mess with anything I own.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Trailer/Boat Theft Prevention

:d:d:d

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Trailer/Boat Theft Prevention

I bet on the fact that there aren't too many theifs willing to bring their own tires and wheels. I pull mine off for long term storage. Short term I pull one side and use a coupler lock and three pissy dogs. No problems.

90 Carver Montego 21' (23) "Suspicious Behavior"

 

[DYLBOSS]

Re: Trailer/Boat Theft Prevention

Thanks for all the great tips. I bought a coupler lock this weekend that inserts a ball through it with a heavy duty metal u bolt wrapping around the top. I also have a chain through it now, which I'm going to upgrade to a trailer truck grade type. I do agree that it is just a deterant, but if it makes some good noise to get both of those off, then hopefully me or my neighbor will hear it in time.

Unfortunately moving to a new "hood" isn't an option right now. The hood isn't that bad, but there are too many people out of work trying to pilfer for cash trade-ins.