Trailer hitch lock.

[thrasher]

Bought new snowmobile trailer and has standard 2" hitch. Would like opinions on the best type of anti-theft device for my trailer. Which ones that are easy to defeat and ones the thieving bastards will leave alone. Thanks.

 

[arteeex]

If you put the best possible lock on the hitch they'll cut the one on tounge latch. Improve that and they'll take the sleds off the trailer. Fix that they'll steal your truck.

Just get any decent lock and better insurance.

 

[grumpysanta]

trailer lock

Go with the lock that inserts where the ball goes , because the tonque latch locks are a joke , also if you are leaving your trailer unattended at some unloading spot , unhook and use the ball lock and if possible back up to a snow bank or building even better, and position the truck or car over as much of the tonque as poss, so the have to remove your vehicle to turn the trailer to the side to try and hook up , but nothing is 100% , you need insurance, I have lost a triton trailer from my house ,so you never know

 

[maineattak2006]

I agree with grumpy santa. I also go as far as taking the fuel pump fuse and some others out of my truck. I also pull all the plug wires of the plugs. If they want to steel my stuff they will have to work for it!!

 

[woolyviper]

i use a long shank lock, wrap the safety chains around the ball receiver and thread the shank thru the chains, doesn't make it impossible, but does make it hard having to deal with the chains and locks.

 

[KevinS]

I use a trailer keeper on the tire and a lock on the hitch.

http://www.trailerlock.com/

 

[blustar]

The above trailerlock (according to the company) will not work on the smaller tires like those on Tritons and Floe's.

A chain and lock or any other device will detour the amateur theives. The masters, and typically those are the ones that will go after sleds and trailers find a way to get through anything. I spoke with the guys at Trailerlock and basically, they said the same thing - these detour and will not guarantee it from not being stolen.

My dealer tells me stories about thefts where they start at the launching/loading areas where theives will look for what they want, and actually inconspicuously follow you home and know where you live. Then they wait, a few hours, a few days for the right moment and they strike. There in and out in a couple of minutes, whether its in your garage, on your trailer, chained to something, etc. THEY WILL FIND A WAY and QUICKLY and INCOSPICUOUSLY !

Even video surveillance capturing them on video doesnt work as they come to your house in stolen vehicles and wear hoods/hats to protect their faces.

Just make sure your insurance is up to date and will cover you for theft.

 

[Yamadog]

I lost a 24' car hauler last yr. it had the in the ball hole lock and wheel locks on it. they pulled by the safety chains dragging the locked wheel for 2 blocks then cut the wheel lock off. The kicker is the trailer was empty. They though they were getting 2 rx-1's and an Attack GT. All were in the shop at the time. Oh & I got a better trailer from the insurance.

 

[SledderSteve]

Now that we've confirmed that if somebody wants it they'll get it, let's look at some options that may help keep honest folks from turning criminal.

Here's a link to a site that has lots of lock options: http://www.etrailer.com/maindept-Lock.aspx

 

[bill-jr]

Here's another link with some additional options:

http://www.mrlock.com/eshop/locks/mfg/b ... index.html

As others have noted the best you can do is make things as difficult as possible to try and pursude the thieving roach(es) to look elsewhere. Spend a reasonable amount of money keeping your toys as secure as possible and let insurance take over if/when it happens.

If they really want something bad enough they will find a way to get it....bottom line.

 

[blustar]

If your going to detour the non professional, just go with a big thick chain or two and put it around the frame and let it be visible so they will say,,, too thick I cant cut it or someone will see me if Im going to cut that thick chain.

Remember, all of these accessories listed on the sites assume that these are NICE ROBBERS that are neat and will go through all the accessories you have at your location and hope that someone will see them and call the cops before they actually get away. WRONG.

The big thing for the robbers is to get it and get out as soon as possible. Remember the movie GONE IN 60 SECONDS? Yep, thats all they will spend at your trailer and its gone. The visible thick chain should do it all along with a fake camera nearby and the signage.

The pros again will laugh at all this stuff cuz if you put on these accessories, they just pull up and will grab the safety chains and let the trailer go hanging loose on the chains until they can cut off the parts you put on.

Put up a Video Surveillance sign.

 

[KevinS]

If your going to detour the non professional, just go with a big thick chain or two and put it around the frame and let it be visible so they will say,,, too thick I cant cut it or someone will see me if Im going to cut that thick chain.

Remember, all of these accessories listed on the sites assume that these are NICE ROBBERS that are neat and will go through all the accessories you have at your location and hope that someone will see them and call the cops before they actually get away. WRONG.

The big thing for the robbers is to get it and get out as soon as possible. Remember the movie GONE IN 60 SECONDS? Yep, thats all they will spend at your trailer and its gone. The visible thick chain should do it all along with a fake camera nearby and the signage.

The pros again will laugh at all this stuff cuz if you put on these accessories, they just pull up and will grab the safety chains and let the trailer go hanging loose on the chains until they can cut off the parts you put on.

Put up a Video Surveillance sign.

My trailer is a POS so no Pro is going to want it. It was actually stolen last year when I used to store it out in a local farmers yard.I don't think I had it locked at the time. Found it for sale online. It isn't a brand name trailer and doesn't have a vin so I had a bitch of a time convincing the cops it was my trailer.

Funny thing is that when I went to pick it up at the MPI impound yard the thief had put a lock on the tongue. Had to go to my brother in laws and get a hacksaw to cut it off.

I got the trailer keeper after that and now keep the trailer in my back driveway.

At the time I wasn't sure if I was upset that it was gone. I had thoughts of it being a good excuse to get an enclosed. After I saw it for sale online though I got a bit ticked off.

 

[blustar]

That reminds me of a story of when my cousin visited Italy by bike and his mountain bike was stolen in Rome and the local police took the report and told him to go to the markets as he may find it there. Sure enough, two days later he was walking around in one of the markets and there it was, for sale for 1/4 of what he paid for it. He wasn't able to convince the police that it was his because he didn't have evidence with him of the serial number of the bike. He did take pictures of it and sent it to the insurance agent and they just laughed and processed his claim.

How much were they asking for the trailer ? Was it even a decent price or a blow away price?

 

[LLCCD69]

trailer lock

10ga shotgun n 2 pit bulls........the lock that goes on like the denver boot works good . i have had a trailer n sleds stolen. happy sleddin n holidays

 

[Crewchief47]

http://www.rmtracking.com/products.php

Another possibility.....gps tracking for your stuff....