Preventing trailer theft

[Donna D.]

I think I'll get a decal made and place it under the loft somewhere on my new 5er!

"Disengage Motion Detector
Alarm Before Moving!"

I figure this can't hurt, might help and it's cheap.

[Vicki A.]

Actually, I think that is a really great idea! How many yards or houses have security co. signs, and may not have an alarm system.

[Donna D.]

One of the gal's I work with.. she and her husband have a cottage business for decal signs. I'm going to check with her tomorrow on the cost to create one about 3"x5" maybe in bright yellow (caution color). Vicki are you interested? Anyone else?

[Vicki A.]

Absolutely!

[Donna D.]

No guarantees. But, I think it's worth checking out. Give me a couple of days. Julie will need to check with the hubby.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by yardsale

Here's another less expensive option. The ability to prevent wheel removal is an important feature. Trailer Lock by Trailer Keeper

This is the same product as you mentioned this morning in post #7; I provided my comments in post #16... and they still apply.

I agree that blocking the thief from just removing the wheel is valuable, and many of the "boot" type devices (including the one Donna linked) include some provision to do that. The Trailer Keeper method is relatively light and probably effective, but has significant disadvantages.

[davescape]

I've disabled trailers in the past by putting axle stands under the frame and removing the valve stems from the tires. Of course you'll need a large air compressor to refill them. A small compressor might not be sufficient, especially with tubeless tires. Doing this in a camp site might present a few problems, but it works well for winter storage.

I've also padlocked the ends of the chains to the hitch so that they are not readily available.

[dglasrud]

The trailer boot that I use is called California California Immobilizer Anti Theft Wheel Boots Locks and Security . Although it covers the wheel nuts, I don't think it would take much persuasion for a thief to get rid of it. The hitch lock and the boot May slow them down just enough to make them reconsider.

[yardsale]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

This is the same product as you mentioned this morning in post #7; I provided my comments in post #16... and they still apply.

I agree that blocking the thief from just removing the wheel is valuable, and many of the "boot" type devices (including the one Donna linked) include some provision to do that. The Trailer Keeper method is relatively light and probably effective, but has significant disadvantages.

Sorry, forgetting my own posts.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by emers382

Well Jim the snow piled in front might be a deterrent even in late October when you showed me your 19 there

True that, Adrian.

[Greggo]

Low tech but this is what works for me. Old trailer ball with the bolt welded onto the treads and a lock. I guess it works, we still have our trailer!

[santacruzer]

What am I missing? What's to stop someone from releasing the old ball from the coupler?

[Ron in BC]

I'm going to take a wild guess but I'd guess that the lock goes through the hole in the latch preventing it from being lifted up and releasing the ball.

Ron

[gbaglo]

My hitch lock goes through the hole in the latch. I lock it with the latch in the closed position so you can't drop it on to a ball.

[Greggo]

Originally Posted by santacruzer

What am I missing? What's to stop someone from releasing the old ball from the coupler?

A lock! Do folks not use a lock thru the holes in the latch?

My theory is that there's enough space in the hitch with the latch and locked down for a crook to drop onto a ball and be off. I don't think a locked latch gives much prevention. My idea at least makes them work a little harder.

Greg

[Patandlinda]

That looks like a good idea Gregg ! Pat

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Greggo

Old trailer ball with the bolt welded onto the treads and a lock

You can also cut off the ball's stud, or use a ball with a threaded hole instead of a stud (now rare, but I have an old one).

Also, that's a nut welded onto the stud, not a bolt.

Originally Posted by gbaglo

I lock it with the latch in the closed position so you can't drop it on to a ball.

I have heard - perhaps only a rumour or myth - that some thieves drop the coupler's partially blocked opening over an undersized ball. Just a post such as from an interchangable ball system (without the ball, e.g. Convert-A-Ball) would work, too.

[Greggo]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

Also, that's a nut welded onto the stud, not a bolt.

Sometimes you feel like a nut sometimes you don't...

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by Greggo

Sometimes you feel like a nut sometimes you don't...

Hi:Greggo... Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Greggo

Sometimes you feel like a nut sometimes you don't...

Truth!!!