Trailer Theft

[cabinetman]

I've had a few different types of trailers, and have a utility trailer. I've always locked an unattended trailer with the lock and hitch pin assembly. Can a trailer be hitched or taken with the coupler locked in the closed position? I think just about any lock can be removed. I saw this lock in the latest HF flier.

This might make it more difficult. Any thoughts?
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[ironhat]

That's the one I thought of right away when I read your post. Not that I have any experience with it but the way that the shakle is protected it seems logical. Now, I'm not familiar with aircraft aluminum so I don't know how hard it is to break. This could be its weak point but I don't know about that at all. Just my two cents, c.man.

[crokett]

The ad says 'lock sold separately' so I am thinking that is only as good as the lock you put on it. But I think it would make it more difficult, or at least appear to be more difficult.

[Uncle Cracker]

Somebody who wants it is probably still gonna get it. For any light trailer, somebody with a military-style hook coupler and a chain can make off with even a locked coupler. Best thing to do is lock the wheels to something immovable, and make it obvious, so a thief will just move on. Common theft is usually a crime of opportunity.

[phi1l]

Ya any cordless demolition saw could easily cut through that aluminum.

I just lock the latching mechanism on a ball that has a short stud welded in where the bolt would go..

[twistsol]

We had a landscape trailer stolen that was locked with a similar device. They unbolted the coupler from the tongue of the trailer and put a new one on. The cops found the trailer and all the tools except the skid loader.

[wardprobst]

I use an enclosed trailer to move pianos and organs. They are very popular for mobile speed labs so I lock it up pretty well to slow down/discourage them. I use a heavier duty version of the hitch lock and wheel boot then cable it to a cherry picker in the drive way. It has worked so far.
DP

[sweensdv]

This is the one I use for my trailer, . A thief would literally have to pick the lock in order to remove it. I don't know how hard that would be to do but it's pretty impressive looking when mounted.

[Ozzie]

Most of the average combination/key locks can have the shackle, (u shaped part), cut with a bolt cutter. If someone is determined enough and has the time, they will get through most everything.

[cabinetman]

This is the one I use for my trailer, . A thief would literally have to pick the lock in order to remove it. I don't know how hard that would be to do but it's pretty impressive looking when mounted.

I like that one. Looks like a real deterrent.
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[eezlock]

trailer theft

Cabinetman, no one else has suggested it yet so I will. I know it may be a bit
inconvenient to do, but it would be harder to steal a trailer with only one wheel!
remove one, and put it and the lug nuts somewhere that a thief can not get to them! I have never seen a one wheeled utility trailer going down the street
have you?

[iceman61]

This is the one I use for my trailer, . A thief would literally have to pick the lock in order to remove it. I don't know how hard that would be to do but it's pretty impressive looking when mounted.

This is the one I use for my trailers.

[cabinetman]

Cabinetman, no one else has suggested it yet so I will. I know it may be a bit
inconvenient to do, but it would be harder to steal a trailer with only one wheel!
remove one, and put it and the lug nuts somewhere that a thief can not get to them! I have never seen a one wheeled utility trailer going down the street
have you?

That would be inconvenient, but very effective. Reminds me of a Special Forces training exercise where a squad comes across disabled gear in pieces consisting of basically two utility trailers. Time is given to use the parts to make usable equipment as much as possible and move both trailers a certain distance over a soft dirt road. Of course, there aren't enough wheels.
.

[scmhogg]

The padlock they show in the HF ad looks like a Master 40. That is one tough padlock.

I once had to access a storage locker for a client. The keys were lost. We tried a bolt cutter with no success. Finally, we called a locksmith. He took one look at the lock and snipped the U portion of the hasp with the bolt cutter and replaced the hasp with a new one. I felt a little stupid and $60 poorer.

Steve