Lock for Hitch

[Idahojj]

We are in need of suggestions for what lock to buy for the hitch. Many thanks!

[Steven M]

We use one from Progressive Industries as do many others.

[rubicon327]

I think Steven M means Proven Industries. I agree. Many opinions out there but in my experience the best lock is by Proven Industries. They are pricey but it is very high quality. We have the billet aluminum puck lock but stainless steel (+$100) would give better resistance to drilling. Someone would have to make some serious noise to defeat this thing.
https://www.provenlocks.com/collecti...s/model-2178-a

Some will say a cheap tongue lock works fine. Those are the ones who haven’t had a trailer stolen yet. A couple weeks back the cops caught one from a group of four on the property where I store my two boats. Vigilant neighbor saw their flashlight and called. Not sure what their plan ultimately was but when pressed he said they were looking at the boats. My larger boat had two tongue locks, trailer was chained to the smaller boat and I removed both wheels. Try better next time guys. The more valuable boat is out of there now for the season. Before it goes back I will make sure there are at least motion lights.

[Steven M]

Yeah, it's Proven not Progressive.

[Adventures in Nomadness]

We totally agree with rubicon327 and Steven M, Proven Industries hitch lock is what we use. It is a small price given the investment it protects. We also lock up the chains so those can't be used to tow the trailer and we have a few other things we use. If you are interested we did a short video on security below. We've since added motion sensor lights around the perimeter when we boondock.
https://youtu.be/7NHMkFcz6SE

[MVA]

The inexpensive (<$100) hitch locks are easily defeated by physically breaking them. Lots of YouTube videos. Some people have run a cable and lock between the wheels so that the trailer cannot be towed; a neighbor had their trailer stolen in storage where the thief cut a large cable easily. Some trailer have been stolen by the thief using the safety chains to tow the trailer without using a ball hitch.

We went another way to secure our trailer. We use a Brahma wheel look; https://lockthewheel.com. Just need to secure it better than others so they move on.

[gbaglo]

I use this $9.99 hitch lock and carry full replacement insurance. It's worked well, for both me and the insurance company for more than twelve years.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

I use this $9.99 hitch lock and carry full replacement insurance. It's worked well, for both me and the insurance company for more than twelve years.

Latch locks like that one can be defeated with a pry bar or bolt cutters in about 3 seconds. It would slow down only the most inept of thieves - although I'm glad you haven't had a problem, Glenn.

https://youtu.be/U6YAJtHPj2M

[gbaglo]

I realize that. But, if it's cut, I'm only out ten bucks.

[Donna D.]

Everything works, until it doesn't. Just because a cheapo lock is on your trailer and that trailer hasn't been stolen is meaningless. Perhaps it's more about the location... or no one is interested in THAT particular trailer... however, anything is better than nothing. Just don't fall into the cheapo trap that what you have is great....

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Everything works, until it doesn't. Just because a cheapo lock is on your trailer and that trailer hasn't been stolen is meaningless. Perhaps it's more about the location... or no one is interested in THAT particular trailer... however, anything is better than nothing. Just don't fall into the cheapo trap that what you have is great....

This paragraph also applies to the several hundred dollar "solutions". Which was my point. Think about it.

[Doug2000]

I use a $7 dollar padlock and a good insurance package. I can cut any lock off in less than a minute with my DeWalt grinder and a steel abrasive cut off disc. I store my trailer at a secure storage lot with tons of cameras and tall fences. I never leave it at the house because it screams "Were on Vacation" to all the thieves when we're away.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by Doug2000

I can cut any lock off in less than a minute with my DeWalt grinder and a steel abrasive cut off disc.

Doug, I don't doubt you could for most locks, but not all of them. The Proven Industries lock would be tough to grind off in less than a minute. Better give yourself at least 15. Hardened plate steel, and thick at that.

[JeffreyG]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

Doug, I don't doubt you could for most locks, but not all of them. The Proven Industries lock would be tough to grind off in less than a minute. Better give yourself at least 15. Hardened plate steel, and thick at that.

The problem is, I don't need access to the hitch clamp to steal your trailer. I can steal it with chains.


I'm kind of with gbaglo. The number one option is full replacement insurance.


The best thing about any theft deterrent device like the Proven Industries lock is to force the thieves to be obviously doing something wrong / strange / loud while trying to take your trailer from a well lighted, watched, location.


Give thieves a hidden place where they can work on the lock or just chain up the trailer and take it, and they will have no problem.

[Oldtimer]

Unfortunately most hitch locks can be defeated with a large monkey wrench with the aid of a cheater bar. It either twist the lock off or part the lock is attached to.

David

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by JeffreyG

The problem is, I don't need access to the hitch clamp to steal your trailer. I can steal it with chains.


I'm kind of with gbaglo. The number one option is full replacement insurance.


The best thing about any theft deterrent device like the Proven Industries lock is to force the thieves to be obviously doing something wrong / strange / loud while trying to take your trailer from a well lighted, watched, location.


Give thieves a hidden place where they can work on the lock or just chain up the trailer and take it, and they will have no problem.

I'm not speaking to the effectiveness of one security method over another, nor would I suggest that a hitch lock makes a trailer theft proof. That conversation has been had here more times than I can count.

I'm pointing out that most hitch locks are a joke, easily defeated in just a few seconds with crude tools. The OP asked about hitch locks specifically so I (as well as some others) pointed out the Proven Industries lock is as tough as they come. If you want something that actually 'secures' the hitch, forcing the thief to steal the trailer without attaching to a ball, then the PI lock does that.

EDIT: no, I don't own that lock. I've never been that concerned with trailer theft, but I might change my tune if I'd had one stolen or lived somewhere else.

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

If you want something that actually 'secures' the hitch, forcing the thief to steal the trailer without attaching to a ball, then the PI lock does that.

...or convincing the thief to move on to an easier target

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by Oldtimer

Unfortunately most hitch locks can be defeated with a large monkey wrench with the aid of a cheater bar. It either twist the lock off or part the lock is attached to.

True but try that with the Proven Industries locks and my bet is that the coupler is so badly damaged it would not longer go on a ball. Not saying the lock is foolproof by any means (no lock is) but it is a better deterrent than any other coupler lock in my opinion.

[Oldtimer]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

True but try that with the Proven Industries locks and my bet is that the coupler is so badly damaged it would not longer go on a ball. Not saying the lock is foolproof by any means (no lock is) but it is a better deterrent than any other coupler lock in my opinion.

Totally agree with u rubicon. There are a few locks that wouldn’t work on but will work of most of the lock set ups out there due to they use low grade material to save on cost.

David

[Idahojj]

Many thanks for the replies, you all are the best! Idahojj