Towing Security Locking Ball Mount

[krakatoa]

Hello Guys!

Surfing around the net looking for Boat Trailers Parts and so on and just found this Locking Ball Mount from Master Lock part # 3489-AT. Would like to know If any of you felllow boaters had been used or currently using this ball mount on your trailer, any experience with it? Including few pics of this part. Personally like a lot the locking system "embeded" on this mount. What you think guys?

 

[haulnazz15]

Pretty pricey for something that can be remedied with a regular draw bar lock.

 

[krakatoa]

Pretty pricey for something that can be remedied with a regular draw bar lock.

I just bought one including the ball for just $40.00 shipped, brand new.
Pricey?? Maybe depending where you shop.

Trailer Ball Mount from $ 20.00 to $26.00
2" Ball - $10.00
Seadog Brass Coupler - $16.00


Now, do the math.

Anyway, I just got a deal on this one since the offer was accepted on $28.00

 

[smokeonthewater]

Looks like REALLY REALLY bad news to me..... Have fun getting it off when the lock corrodes or otherwise fails.

I've had to cut several locks off but you can't readily cut that one tho a thief could remove the nut on the ball with an electric impact in about 2 seconds

 

[Pony]

I have also had to cut off a couple of locks in the past. I generally try not to keep a drawbar in during winter, but occasionally I will tow my utility trailer around and will keep the bar in for a couple of days.....then you get busy, it snows, you forget its in there, and before you know it its messy. I can't remember the exact drawbar lock I have now, but it has lasted me 3 or 4 seasons now.

I bet the one pictured would be fine as long as you remove it after using it.....which I do anyways.

 

[MH Hawker]

I just let my regular one rust in place solid, no one has stolen it yet.

 

[krakatoa]

Looks like REALLY REALLY bad news to me..... Have fun getting it off when the lock corrodes or otherwise fails. I've had to cut several locks off but you can't readily cut that one tho a thief could remove the nut on the ball with an electric impact in about 2 seconds

If locks corrode it happen because POOR POOR Maintenance, this lock is made of SS and work same way others locks with a draw bar.. You cant live with fear my friend, it just happen too, same thief will take away your flywheel or propeller with same electric impact tool?. Does thief in your area carring and impact tool and power generator? I dont think a 12v. Impact tool will loose a bolt with proper torque, even cars rims nuts.

 

[Pony]

I just let my regular one rust in place solid, no one has stolen it yet.

Done that before too! and its a great system until you find yourself with trailers with different coupler sizes.

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

Done that before too! and its a great system until you find yourself with trailers with different coupler sizes.

I use a 10,000 pound interchangeable ball system made by Master Lock. I also use a Master Lock brand drawbar lock that gets spray lubed every year.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Just today, my el cheapo ryobi 18v impact which is good for 200 ft/lbs removed and replaced 36 lug nuts on my fifth wheel with only 1 battery and a couple weeks ago I removed and replaced 32 lug nuts on my dually with it on one battery.... I have used it to among other things completely tear down a powerstroke diesel and yes have installed and removed many trailer balls with it..... with 4 batteries I could strip your truck to a bare frame LOL Live in fear? nobody said anything about living in fear but if you think a thief doesn't come prepared you are in for a rude awakening. Poor maintenance on a lock???? REALLY? That's funny.... at the most, a shot of wd is all the maintenance a lock would ever get in 99% of households..... It happens, they fail, keys get lost, they get corroded by salt etc.... YOU asked what we think and I told you what I think (and what I know)... Wasn't trying to pee in your Wheaties.... was just answering your question .... "what do you guys think?"

 

[oldjeep]

I agree with Smoke - that thing looks like a nightmare to remove when the lock seizes. I've had to cut off several drawbar locks and sledge out receivers over the years. At least with a conventional lock you can just cut off one end and air hammer it out.

 

[krakatoa]

No Title

Just today, my el cheapo ryobi 18v impact which is good for 200 ft/lbs removed and replaced 36 lug nuts on my fifth wheel with only 1 battery and a couple weeks ago I removed and replaced 32 lug nuts on my dually with it on one battery.... I have used it to among other things completely tear down a powerstroke diesel and yes have installed and removed many trailer balls with it..... with 4 batteries I could strip your truck to a bare frame LOL Live in fear? nobody said anything about living in fear but if you think a thief doesn't come prepared you are in for a rude awakening. Poor maintenance on a lock???? REALLY? That's funny.... at the most, a shot of wd is all the maintenance a lock would ever get in 99% of households..... It happens, they fail, keys get lost, they get corroded by salt etc.... YOU asked what we think and I told you what I think (and what I know)... Wasn't trying to pee in your Wheaties.... was just answering your question .... "what do you guys think?"

Well maybe its not fear but paranoia. Same thief will take away as I said your prop, flywheel, trailer tires etc, so be careful where you left your boat. Anyway As you said it will happen keys get lost, corroded etc. But there is other products like Corrosion X, Silicone Oil, Sewing Machine Oil (my favorite) among others. The picture below is my lock from Aug 2008 until today with no problem, no keys lost or corroded key system, and believe my friend I boating in salt water all year around. And sorry I didnt breakfast kids meal.

All fails you had mention could happen to any kind of locks, bottom line looks like you had been very bad time with Locking Ball Mounts.

Thanks 4 sharing and Have a Good Day! :joyous:

 

[krakatoa]

No Title

I agree with Smoke - that thing looks like a nightmare to remove when the lock seizes. I've had to cut off several drawbar locks and sledge out receivers over the years. At least with a conventional lock you can just cut off one end and air hammer it out.[/QUOTE



So OldJeep, you agree that this system is very hard to beat then, here is a picture of the inside of one of this ball mount.

 

[krakatoa]

drawbar problem has been resolved here, take a lock to this features c/p from mnfg website

Locking ball mount; 2" drop, 3/4" rise, 1" shank, class III

Includes 2" x 1" x 2-1/8" factory torqued hitch ball

5,000lb. towing capacity

Cylinder is virtually unpickable and can be removed and keyed to other Master Lock products

No Exposed Lock Body and Dead-Locking Design will Frustrate Would-Be Thieves

also Stainless Steel and Aluminum Parts for Maximum Corrosion Resistance, lets see when item came in.....

 

[oldjeep]

I agree with Smoke - that thing looks like a nightmare to remove when the lock seizes. I've had to cut off several drawbar locks and sledge out receivers over the years. At least with a conventional lock you can just cut off one end and air hammer it out.[/QUOTE



So OldJeep, you agree that this system is very hard to beat then, here is a picture of the inside of one of this ball mount.

Beat? I can't imagine any thief taking more than 10 seconds to try to steal a drawbar, even the $200 Anderson Rapid Hitch adjustable that I use on my truck. Any lock will work. At 5000lbs, it isn't rated high enough to tow my boat or car trailer anyways.

If you are happy that is good, personally I would not use a lock/bar that I would have to plasma cut off my hitch.

 

[dingbat]

I have a three prong anti-theft approach. 1. Don't put myself in a situation that I need to padlock my belongings down. 2. Spend 30 seconds to remove and store draw bars between use 3. Live 15 miles from the closet bus stop......lol

 

[Taxus812]

WOW I am sure glad I don't have to think about such things. Hell the trolling motor is on and keys are in the boat now. (please steal the trolling motor I hate it)

 

[H20Rat]

You guys that think this is worthless because it can be defeated by a well equipped and skilled thief in a couple seconds aren't getting it... Lets say two identical boats parked side by side, one has a lock, one doesn't. Guess which one is a target? The goal in vehicle security is just make it harder than the guy parked next to you. EVERY security measure can be countered, there is no way to make a vehicle 100% safe.

Anyway, my thoughts... I have an assortment of drawbars, so its far more economical to just buy a locking draw bar pin. And for the guys that leave the drawbar in, that is a bad idea from a safety aspect, as well as illegal in some areas.

 

[oldjeep]

You guys that think this is worthless because it can be defeated by a well equipped and skilled thief in a couple seconds aren't getting it... Lets say two identical boats parked side by side, one has a lock, one doesn't. Guess which one is a target? The goal in vehicle security is just make it harder than the guy parked next to you. EVERY security measure can be countered, there is no way to make a vehicle 100% safe.

Anyway, my thoughts... I have an assortment of drawbars, so its far more economical to just buy a locking draw bar pin. And for the guys that leave the drawbar in, that is a bad idea from a safety aspect, as well as illegal in some areas.

Meh, my drawbar is in 24-7. You want a crash safety issue, leave a 20lb hunk of metal sitting inside your truck. My drawbar has a lock so that it doesn't just walk off in the parking lot. I don't ever lock my boat to the hitch, it is never anywhere that it could get stolen from.

 

[scarabite]

Not worried so much about a hitch, more worried about the props and boat as keys never leave the ignition and lets face it theres no way to lock the props on.