Locking a trailer

[dvan1901]

I've got a question about locking a trailer while attached to your vehicle. When my boat is parked, I have on of those ball locks that fits up inside the ball reciever. When my boat is attached to my truck though, I don't have a good way to lock it. My boat has surge breaks and the ball locking lever has a very small hole, too small to put a lock through. What would be a good way to securely lock the boat while attached to my truck? Hope this makes sense.

 

[arks]

Re: Locking a trailer

Drill out or replace the locking lever so a padlock fits. That's the only way I've ever locked the trailer to the truck. Also, if you have a receiver hitch, use a locking hitch pin so the theif can't just slide the adapter out.

 

[dvan1901]

Re: Locking a trailer

Well, I may have just found my own solution here on iboats:
http://www.iboats.com/C_T_Johnson_D....217574--list_time.1200844399--view_id.341600

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Locking a trailer

exactly, and if using a reciever you need a reciever lock also. or do as my BIL did, saltwater lauching. the recievers been in so long, we can't get it out.

 

[sc_shane]

Re: Locking a trailer

Perfect! I found a nice set for both the surge brake coupler and the receiver hitch that is keyed alike. This makes for one less key on my keyring. It came with 4 keys, so I keep one on the boat keys, one on my truck keys, one of the wife's set and a spare at the house. I think I got it for around $20 on sale at Northern Tool.

 

[mikeneal]

Re: Locking a trailer

One thing that often goes unnoticed is the ball itself to the hitch. I have heard of people locking the hitch into receiver with locking pin, the ball to the trailer with lock but the ball can still be unscrewed from the hitch. A quick tack weld solves that avenue.

 

[dvan1901]

Re: Locking a trailer

Huh, didn't think of that. Or a little JB Weld on the threads before putting on the nut.

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Locking a trailer

Anyone who is prepared to take the ball off of your hitch will succeed in stealing your trailer no matter what you do. No matter how you lock it, no matter what kind of locks you use, it takes less than 10 seconds to get any of them open. You can only do so much.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Locking a trailer

that was a good deal, i may order 2.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Locking a trailer

Although you've locked the locking lever, secured the ball with a spot weld, and locked the receiver with a locking device there is still one overlooked area. The adjustment nut under the coupler can be unscrewed and the trailer can still be towed away as the yoke will fall free. Another spot weld takes care of that. And then you might as well put some spot welds on the coupler to tongue attaching bolts as they can be removed with little effort and a new coupler installed for the get away. And then there is also the single bolt that holds the trailer tongue into a pocket on some trailers (like Shorelander) so the entire tongue and winch post can be left hanging on your truck while the thieves make off with your trailer for the cost of a tongue. If you've arrived at the conclusion that if they want the trailer and what's on it bad enough they will get it. Locks merely keep honest people honest. The only real way to keep it safe is to hire an armed guard and even then someone might pay him off.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Locking a trailer

but the lock keeps this from happening. at my favorite local ramp. apparently, kids went thru, and opened every hitch the could, and also pulled some hitch pins out of the recievers.

 

[sc_shane]

Re: Locking a trailer

I looked on Northern's site and could't find the same combo I got. I'm sure it was on sale, but keep an eye out for it. I did run across this little device, if you want to take it to the "second level" as they say. Looks like it would work like a charm. A security wheel lock for $35.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200326380_200326380

Or you could do like the guy tashasdaddy was talking about - drop it in salt water about 100 times, and no one, including you, will be able to get it out! Ha!

 

[GreenF350]

Re: Locking a trailer

While I agree that if anyone is willing to go to the effort of unscrewing the ball or hitch or anything like that then they WILL get the trailer and anything on it, I thought you might all like to know that they now make locking trailer balls. I have seen them at the local auto parts stores and also at walmart. Just thought I would let you all know if you are interested or don't have a welder.
-Aaron

 

[mikeneal]

Re: Locking a trailer

I never meant to say if you weld the nut you are totally safe. Obviously with any theft protection there are no absolutes. No matter if is your trailer, boat, car or whatever if they want it bad enough it is gone. All any of these techniques do is slow the lazy ones up or make them go elsewhere to ruin someone else's day. I am just saying if you have easy access to a welder a quickie tack weld limits them just that little bit and besides an extra locking device on that particular nut is not all bad either even if you are not worried about crime.

 

[dave11]

Re: Locking a trailer

Try a product called "Trailer Guardian". I have one, and it is very easy to install. It comes with a lock. It will also keep your trailer from coming loose from the ball.

 

[dvan1901]

Re: Locking a trailer

That Trailer Guardian looks pretty clever. I may look into that instead. Thanks!

 

[jlinder]

Re: Locking a trailer

What about locking the safety chains? It wouldn't prevent someone from messing with your hitch, but it would keep them from stealing the trailer. (until they cut the chains)

 

[beezee28]

Re: Locking a trailer

There are no sure way of keep a thief from your property, if the thief really wants your stuff, they will find ways to steal it however well you try to secure it, short of you sleeping on/in it. They might haul you off together with the trailer

 

[ppaulin38]

Re: Locking a trailer

This is a subject I've been looking into for a good reason: last spring i bought my first boat a 19" bayliner capri cc, with a 125 force, galvanized escort trailer all in very good shape, I live 2 min from a boat launch in the upper niagara river, quiet little launch, me and my apprentice finished work early in september and decided to go fishing for some small mouth, got a few nice ones , beautiful sunny day, we drifted right by the launch 5 or 6 times, when we came back in, my trailer was gone, talk about a dirty trick, i guess some get desperate comes the fall.

I had purchased a cheap master lock for the ball locking lever but had not installed it, I had bought it for my own piece of mind to make sure the leaver was properly secured because I had never towed anything before. There was 4 other trucks trailers there but i guess mine was the best.

I know am the proud owner of a new easy loader trailer, galvanized, with surge brakes (they are great) and a swing out tongue.
I now lock the chains, the ball locking lever, and use a locking hitch pin and have mangled any threads on any of the bolts that hold it all together.

The trailer guardian looks good, i was also looking at getting something like this http://www.tirelock.com/product.php?cid=1 for when my boat is parked in the driveway and I would also use it when at the launch.

Any more advice would be greatly appreciated , I think i might be getting neurotic about this lol.

 

[jmills224]

Re: Locking a trailer

As stated before, if a thief wants it they will get it. I've had alot of stuff stolen from me. Even a Case backhoe that was stolen out of a church parking lot on Sunday. There were plenty of eye witness's there. Didn't even slow them down.

One of the best ways is to lock your stuff up best you can and forget about it. If they want it they will either: 1. beat on it, break it, bash, hacksaw and succeed or 2, bust your windows out, cut lines, knock holes, and even take a dump (I know) on it possible even set it on fire (not my stuff but someone I know)....anyways I'm getting

I would just love to catch one of em....I hate thieves.
~J