Locks & Chains

[cpaharley2008]

God forbid you lose your keys to your locks....looks very secure.

[Santiago]

You are correct and a concern for us.

I ordered three more keys and will "bury" one inside trailer, one inside truck and carry working copy with me. Not sure about the padlock but with a grinder and enough time am confident a chain link could be compromised.

[float5]

Originally Posted by Santiago

Standard ETI aluminum wheel option.

Yes, knew that. They just look so spiffy! And expensive compared to standard. Those wheels could be the reason all by themselves that someone wants that trailer. . So yes, you need locks.

[viator36]

Hi Tin,

I am also considering doing the Pewag chain and Stanley lock combination for wheel locking, but I have a question on the max chain thickness that can go through the 15" aluminum wheel holes. Is 3/8" with sleeve the thickest that can go through? 1/2" thick is too thick?

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by viator36

Hi Tin,

I am also considering doing the Pewag chain and Stanley lock combination for wheel locking

I suspect you will lock it once, find it a pain to do and be asking how to clean up scratches on your wheels shortly after.

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by viator36

Hi Tin,

I am also considering doing the Pewag chain and Stanley lock combination for wheel locking, but I have a question on the max chain thickness that can go through the 15" aluminum wheel holes. Is 3/8" with sleeve the thickest that can go through? 1/2" thick is too thick?

We bought the same chain and lock , no scratches on the aluminum wheels but it is a pain to put on . Used it just once on the wheels . Now if I bring my Honda generator , use chain and lock on generator to back bumper frame so it won’t walk away or anything else to chain up . I will tell you it is extremely heavy . I carry in bed of our truck . We bought the 3/8 in . I have a wheel lock which is easier to install . I expensive wheel lock that is a lot easier to use . Pat

[War Eagle]

When we will be away from our camper for an extended period of time, we thread a vinyl-coated cable (1/2" x 15' ?) through a wheel hole, wrap around the axle to opposite side wheel and back, then secure with a Master Lock #5 padlock. The cable is much easier to work with than a chain (you can push a cable!), the vinyl coating helps protect against scratches, and we know we'll still have at least two wheels on the camper when we return. In reality, where we camp, we've never really worried about our wheels being stolen, but "better safe than sorry."
By quick measurement on a cold morning, the holes in our aluminium wheels are approximately 1 5/8".

[MyronL]

True enough, caution offers (imaginary) protection. Ever see one of these at work? They make them battery operated now.

[Eggscape]

Originally Posted by MyronL

True enough, caution offers (imaginary) protection. Ever see one of these at work? They make them battery operated now.

Yes...they are great for cutting off a few fingers of the person trying to steal your trailer. Opps officers...he must have slipped.

[Farther]

Everything is a compromise. Most security available at reasonable price and convenient to use is to protect your stuff from honest people, theft of opportunity and for peace of mind. Maybe a redundant combination of security chains and hitch security is the way to go.

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by War Eagle

When we will be away from our camper for an extended period of time, we thread a vinyl-coated cable (1/2" x 15' ?) through a wheel hole, wrap around the axle to opposite side wheel and back, then secure with a Master Lock #5 padlock. The cable is much easier to work with than a chain (you can push a cable!), the vinyl coating helps protect against scratches, and we know we'll still have at least two wheels on the camper when we return. In reality, where we camp, we've never really worried about our wheels being stolen, but "better safe than sorry."
By quick measurement on a cold morning, the holes in our aluminium wheels are approximately 1 5/8".

Your solution is something , better then nothing . The problem is having to lay on the ground to install , not easy for me any longer . The cable could be cut pretty easy though . The pe chain that has been mentioned not so easy . The chain also came with a cover so it won't scratch your wheels . The Stanley lock is the heaviest , strongest lock I have ever seen or brought . The problem was lying on the ground to install for me , the reason I went with a good wheel lock , So much easier . Our wheel lock was a few hundred on sale . Pat

[Iowa Dave]

Originally Posted by Eggscape

Yes...they are great for cutting off a few fingers of the person trying to steal your trailer. Opps officers...he must have slipped.

Or “Officer I think he cracked the code, code of Hammarabi that is. Yea that’s it, he slipped and cut off his hand.”.
Iowa Dave

[Kingfish]

Originally Posted by Patandlinda

Your solution is something , better then nothing . The problem is having to lay on the ground to install , not easy for me any longer . The cable could be cut pretty easy though . The pe chain that has been mentioned not so easy . The chain also came with a cover so it won't scratch your wheels . The Stanley lock is the heaviest , strongest lock I have ever seen or brought . The problem was lying on the ground to install for me , the reason I went with a good wheel lock , So much easier . Our wheel lock was a few hundred on sale . Pat

I use to do that with my boat. Forgot it one time and drove off. Never felt the snap! Fortunately no damage done.

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by Kingfish

I use to do that with my boat. Forgot it one time and drove off. Never felt the snap! Fortunately no damage done.

This wheel lock is bright orange and always best to do a walk around your trailer before taking off . It's can always be something , best to check . Pat

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Farther

Most security available at reasonable price and convenient to use is to protect your stuff from honest people, theft of opportunity and for peace of mind.

Peace of mind I get if it works for you I get, but I have heard it said a bunch of times before that certain measures stop 'honest' people. Why would you ever need to guard against honest people?

I know it is just me, and possible a few others, but I would rather be relaxed not worrying than stressing all the time. My wife works about stuff more than enough for the two of us. [emoji16][emoji41]

[kwthere]

I have been camping for years (tent & RV). I have not heard of campsite thievery since my brother lost his tent and sleeping bags, in the 1950s, which he left unattended for several days, on an Orange county beach (akaTin-Can Beach) in Southern California. He made the mistake of asking his neighbor, down the way, to watch his campsite.
Have any of you heard or know of incidences of campsite thievery?
Kent

[Barb]

Been awhile but have had theft incidents in the last several decades with

Ricky Racoonas, Blacky Bearas, Gray Jayas, Channal I. Ravenas

and TSA while traveling to do some camping in New Zealand. The first four grifters were quite good sports. A missing tent from our luggage was just one of those things to laugh at, find a solution (Katmandu kids tent $10) and continue on.

Not aware of any campsite incidents that I can remember.

[padlin]

Think you'd have to ask folks that work in campgrounds to get any meaningful info on theft.

I had some teens from the site behind mine looking in the window of my hybrid when I returned from a walk. I either came back just in time or they were really just looking. The host booted them. That's as close as this life long camper has been.

[Farther]

Originally Posted by padlin

Think you'd have to ask folks that work in campgrounds to get any meaningful info on theft.

Although this information is dated, for the five seasons I was a US Park Ranger I only heard of theft of beer and I think I know what group of campers were responsible.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Barb

Been awhile but have had theft incidents in the last several decades with

Ricky Racoonas, Blacky Bearas, Gray Jayas, Channal I. Ravenas

Hopefully arrests were made, these culprits need to be brought to justice. [emoji1787]