Do you park your trailer overnight away from home? Opinions needed on a bumper pull trailer hitch lock–what is a good type of lock? Or a good brand? I’m going to have to leave my trailer overnight somewhere, and I don’t want to leave the coupler unlocked. Please share your opinions and experience on the weak ones to avoid or the good ones to consider.
TIA
None of the above. If a thief wants your trailer, one blow from a sledge and it’s over.
Your best bet is to put locking lugs on your wheels (keep that socket!!), and boot one wheel. They make a boot that double as a chock, with teeth on one side.
EDIT: That said, if someone wants what you’ve got, consider it gone. It’s a deterrent at best. At least with the boot, he’s going to have to make a ton of noise with a grinder to get it off.
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I recently bought the “CURT 23081”. It fits very loosely. I am searching for another solution, so will be watching this thread with interest! [h=2][/h]
Yes, if someone wants it, short of security fencing/alarms/cameras, there’s probably not too much out there that stops them. But let’s face it, that is a very small percentage of potential thieves. Most thefts are opportunistic and in that sense I think the hitch lock is a perfectly acceptable deterrent. Most especially if there are other unlocked trailers around!
I had to park my trailer near the (fairly private) road for about 6 months and used a hitch lock, mostly because the place it was parked would have been super easy for anyone to just hitch up and go, but I really didn’t worry about the hitch lock not being enough because if anyone was really dedicated to trailer theft, they probably were looking for something a little higher end than my 2H BP!
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I have a coupler lock by Proven Industries. It is solidly built and provides peace of mind. Price can be a bit sticker-shock but I found it is worth it to protect the trailer.
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My Boeckmann has a hitch that locks onto the ball with a key. I lock it closed when it is parked as well. Problem solved- another Euro trailer advantage!
I have a Master coupler lock…on a Brenderup. It has it’s own hitch lock but a three year old could jimmy that lock. I believe the the true purpose is security to keep the hitch in position in the ball when pulling the trailer. It is sitting at my mother’s house so for her peace of mind, I added the Master lock. Just be sure whatever lock you get will fit the size of your coupler.
Susan
This is what I did with my Brenderup.
I kept one on my trailer when I boarded – nothing is foolproof, but I take the “keep honest people honest” approach.
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I keep my Euro trailer at the stable. Right next door are 2 landscape businesses - we share the driveway. One morning my trailer’s front end was jacked as high as it would go! I always keep it sitting level when parked. Someone had obviously thought about taking it with it on their big truck. Luckily, the dealer included a simple hitch/ball lock when I got it. The would-be thief probably didn’t notice it until after they tried hitching up, and they weren’t brazen enough to break/saw it off. Like others have said, deterrence is key.
I ended up buying a lock recommended by a trailer company; an installer, not a seller. It’s the Master Lock 377KA.
A basic hitch lock will discourage lower-level opportunists, and that will be the majority of thieves that strike away from home, at shows etc. That is, something that can’t be removed with a few quick blows. IMO, if the owner is not considering buying more than that, then that is certainly worth having and using even if it isn’t as hard a target as one would wish.
The really sophisticated thieves who can get through anything are more likely to steal it off your own property when you aren’t there.
Some of it depends on the kinds of shows you go to and what their record is for stolen trailers. A large annual show may or may not have recurring problems, and how many problems they have and how often is what I’d like to know. Nothing promises a particular outcome one way or the other, but it is a leading indication. But those stats may be hard to come by , or just not available at all. The show may not even be notified when a trailer is stolen. If they are notified, it is better that they not publicize it. A reputation for stolen property attracts even more thieves who figure this place is a softer target than other options.
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