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Old 05-08-2016, 04:21 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Klem View Post
Our trailer is under a carport so the first thing people see is the hitch so I was thinking the Proven looks tough.

I learned the 'appearance' of protection can be enough for the 'average' thief and they will move on to an easier target.

So IF they don't see the boot I wonder what could be put on the hitch that was less expensive but would be discouraging too? Or an >> >> arrow "Boot back there"
To just discourage sometime driving by, the appearance of that big coupler lock could be closely emulated with some plastic drain/waste/vent piping... leaving the wheel clamp to slow down anyone who decides to try anyway.

Quote:
Originally Posted by jerryandmaria View Post
I'm not worried about the theft at home, but at a campground.
Just based on a few stories, I think the big risk is in storage where no one is watching, not in a busy campground.

Quote:
Originally Posted by yardsale View Post
Be aware that we had to have this product modified to position the steel plate properly so one or two lug nuts could not be removed, otherwise a thief just takes the tire and the boot off, replaces the tire with his own, and drives off.
His own... or your spare off the back of the trailer!

This is one reason that some other clamp-style locks have a dome the size of the entire wheel... which may mean that they need to be sized specifically for the wheel, and likely means that they are heavy.
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Old 05-08-2016, 04:22 PM   #22
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Here is a photo of the wheel lock that I also own. I have been leaving the wheel lock at home when I am out camping. I wanted something easier to bring to the campground. The Proven Industries lock is more than I wanted to spend but its one of the only hitch locks that doesn't look like complete junk.

Brahma Wheel lock photo
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Old 05-08-2016, 04:29 PM   #23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chemando View Post
Here is a photo of the wheel lock that I also own. I have been leaving the wheel lock at home when I am out camping. I wanted something easier to bring to the campground. The Proven Industries lock is more than I wanted to spend but its one of the only hitch locks that doesn't look like complete junk.

Brahma Wheel lock photo
That looks robust. As I think about it, you probably only need to protect one of the lug nuts to thwart a thief.
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Old 05-08-2016, 05:19 PM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian B-P View Post
To just discourage sometime driving by, the appearance of that big coupler lock could be closely emulated with some plastic drain/waste/vent piping... leaving the wheel clamp to slow down anyone who decides to try anyway.
How about slipping the 90 end I keep with the drain hose

That would be confusing enough for the 'average' thief and smell bad on a hot day. No extra weight either.
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Old 05-08-2016, 05:24 PM   #25
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What about Fred Burger Trailers , Steal Shield enclosed couple lock .fred@fredstrailers.com
888 458 3390 or 845 3393390 . Had this saved . Pat
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Old 05-30-2016, 11:56 PM   #26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Patandlinda View Post
What about Fred Burger Trailers , Steal Shield enclosed couple lock .fred@fredstrailers.com
888 458 3390 or 845 3393390 . Had this saved . Pat
The Steal Shield (about $75 - I'm not sure what model might fit on an Escape 21')

http://www.cyclematetrailers.com/stealshield.html

.... sure is cheaper than the Proven Industries 2516-A ($225)

Any chance does any Escape owner own a Steal Shield? If yes - what model is it?

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Old 05-31-2016, 12:15 AM   #27
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Losangeles View Post
The Steal Shield (about $75 - I'm not sure what model might fit on an Escape 21')

Steal Shield Locks

.... sure is cheaper than the Proven Industries 2516-A ($225)

Any chance does any Escape owner own a Steal Shield? If yes - what model is it?

I forgot I need to call and get some more information .Pat
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Old 05-31-2016, 12:22 AM   #28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Patandlinda View Post
I forgot I need to call and get some more information .Pat
here is a video review of the Steal Shield

Steal Shield Locks SS65847 Review Video | etrailer.com



and.... is the Proven Industries 2516-A maybe slightly more secure, as it has a steel 2-D "ball" cutout that goes into the coupler?

(rather than just relying on the latch to hold the Steal Shield on...?)

Having said that..... I know that a determined thief could just use chains to lift the tongue, and tow away...... so I'll also use a sturdy wheel clamp.

:-)
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Old 05-31-2016, 12:39 AM   #29
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Losangeles View Post
here is a video review of the Steal Shield

Steal Shield Locks SS65847 Review Video | etrailer.com



and.... is the Proven Industries 2516-A maybe slightly more secure, as it has a steel 2-D "ball" cutout that goes into the coupler?

(rather than just relying on the latch to hold the Steal Shield on...?)

Having said that..... I know that a determined thief could just use chains to lift the tongue, and tow away...... so I'll also use a sturdy wheel clamp.

:-)
Thankyou just watched . Now I just need clarification if it fits our coupler . Hope to call tomorrow and talk to someone . Does e- trailer sell this lock do you know ? Pat
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Old 05-31-2016, 12:48 AM   #30
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Originally Posted by Patandlinda View Post
Thankyou just watched . Now I just need clarification if it fits our coupler . Hope to call tomorrow and talk to someone . Does e- trailer sell this lock do you know ? Pat
I think they used to, but i searched for it on their site, and could not find it.

and

thanks for calling the manufacturer tomorrow... i look forward to reading what you find out.

They make a few different models..... they stock only one model..... will be fun to find out what model they make that fits (if any)

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Old 05-31-2016, 12:49 AM   #31
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Originally Posted by Losangeles View Post
I think they used to, but i searched for it on their site, and could not find it.

and

thanks for calling the manufacturer tomorrow... i look forward to reading what you find out.

They make a few different models..... they stock only one model..... will be fun to find out what model they make that fits (if any)

Will do . Pat
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Old 05-31-2016, 01:24 AM   #32
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The online information for the Steal Shield is not reassuring
  • I can't find a working website for the manufacturer
  • information from retailers varies from sketchy to semi-literate
  • one retailer that I know lists it, but no longer sells it (Princess Auto)

More that one site does contain a statement like this:
Quote:
THE STEAL SHIELD IS DESIGNED FOR STRAIGHT TONGUE COUPLERS ONLY (THIS MODEL WILL NOT WORK ON "A" FRAME DESIGNS). THERE SHOULD BE AT LEAST 10" OF STRIGHT COUPLER SIMILAR TO THE PICTURE...
Both this statement and looking at the device suggest that it will not fit the A-frame coupler on an Escape.

I agree that the way this one attaches to the coupler appears marginal compared to the Proven Industries design.
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Old 05-31-2016, 01:27 AM   #33
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Originally Posted by Brian B-P View Post
The online information for the Steal Shield is not reassuring[LIST][*]I can't find a working website for the manufacturer
Steal Shield Locks

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian B-P View Post
I agree that the way this one attaches to the coupler appears marginal compared to the Proven Industries design.
yeah.... it sort of worries me a bit.... but maybe it works well?

hard to say.

As they say in hang gliding....

"Looks great .... YOU go first."
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Old 05-31-2016, 02:05 AM   #34
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Originally Posted by Losangeles View Post
I assumed that this stream of barely coherent babble was from a retailer. Nothing else they offer is their own product. The stream of text contains this:
Quote:
The above two cases is why I searched and searched for what I feel is the best lock available today by Steal Shield...
"Searched for", not "designed" or "built".
The About Us page doesn't mention any manufacturing at all.

On the other hand, it also contains an appeal for dealers, so who knows. If this is the manufacturer, it doesn't look like someone I would deal with.
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Old 05-31-2016, 08:22 PM   #35
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Losangeles View Post
Steal Shield Locks



yeah.... it sort of worries me a bit.... but maybe it works well?

hard to say.

As they say in hang gliding....

"Looks great .... YOU go first."
Pat called this morning as promised . No answer , left my name and number . If a business can't answer I would be afraid to do business with them . When I first found this lock it was made in Canada . There was other dealers also at the time . I think he bought out what they have , hence one size . I checked my hitch and don't think it would fit anyway . Looks like we have to go with more expensive locks . Sorry . I tried . Pat
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Old 06-08-2016, 09:31 PM   #36
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Well I never did get an email reply about a Steal Shield.



I guess they don't want to sell them.

Bummer.
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Old 07-24-2016, 10:57 PM   #37
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chemando View Post
Below are links to a few photos of the lock. Shipping was quick but at a cost of about $53 USD. There was also a slightly cheaper UPS option at $35 USD but I was worried about larger brokerage fees. As it turns out even with USPS I got hit with $24 in taxes and customs fees.

Some of the Proven Industries locks are also supposed to be able to fit the safety chains but there wasn't enough room in the 2516-A version.

I have not had a chance to use the lock much so maybe after a couple camping trips I will post any more comments if I have them.

The lock fits well and seems very secure. It seems like its the most secure hitch lock on the market but at a really high cost. By the time you add up the cost of the lock, shipping, conversion to CAD and the customs fees its a lot of money for a lock.

Photo 1

Photo 2

Photo 3

Photo 4
So have you had enough time with the the Proven hitch lock to have an opinion of how good it is?

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Old 07-25-2016, 08:35 AM   #38
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Originally Posted by Losangeles View Post
So have you had enough time with the the Proven hitch lock to have an opinion of how good it is?

Its well made and easy to use. I just think the price is higher than it should be. But there aren't a lot of options for higher quality locks.
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Old 07-25-2016, 09:06 AM   #39
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Its well made and easy to use. I just think the price is higher than it should be. But there aren't a lot of options for higher quality locks.
I agree - hardly any other options for well made similar locks.

And I agree - it is darned expensive.

Do the chains fit into it, as they should, as per the design?

And

What kind of key is on the puck lock? (Round or flat) and I assume it is a fairly typical puck lock? (Not super high security)

Thanks.
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Old 07-25-2016, 03:13 PM   #40
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I would think that even if you secure the chains, a would be thief could easily supply their own and haul it away at least to a location where power tools could be used to defeat the hitch lock. I still favor one of the wheel lock devices which also secure a nut preventing removal of the tire. Now you have to load the TT onto a flatbead to steal.
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