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07-14-2020, 10:05 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Mt Juliet, Tennessee
Trailer: 2020 21NE
Posts: 69
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Trailer Hitch Lock recommendations?
Trailer Hitch Lock recommendations? Once our 21NE arrives in Sept. we hope to keep it for a really long time and would hate to loose it to some not so nice folks who want one for themselves but don't want to pay for it . So, we need to lock it down. What do you guys suggest?
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07-14-2020, 10:40 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Burlington Twp., New Jersey
Trailer: 2010 Escape 19
Posts: 7,126
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This is probably the best hitch lock money can buy. Mate it with a hardened stainless puck lock and that’s one tough package. We stayed with the standard lock for now. https://www.provenlocks.com/products/model-2178-a
Be prepared for a bunch of people to jump in about how this can be defeated. I challenge them to defeat it quietly which rules out your battery powered grinders.
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07-15-2020, 12:45 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Santa Rosa, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 15B sold, 2019 Escape 19
Posts: 367
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I second the Proven lock, very well made, keep in mind it's about 15 pounds
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07-15-2020, 12:55 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Cowichan Valley, British Columbia
Trailer: 2020 - 21NE "JoMoE" (Just our Means of Escape)
Posts: 311
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Effie
I second the Proven lock, very well made, keep in mind it's about 15 pounds
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Or One Stone
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07-15-2020, 06:39 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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Good insurance policy also........FWIW I have not heard of anyone losing their Escape to theft in the past 10 years.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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07-15-2020, 09:39 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: WALNUT, California
Trailer: 2019 5.0 TA The Glass Inn
Posts: 229
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I use a Fort Knox lock. Very sturdy lock.
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07-15-2020, 11:36 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Burlington Twp., New Jersey
Trailer: 2010 Escape 19
Posts: 7,126
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rmitch
I use a Fort Knox lock. Very sturdy lock.
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That's another strong lock. A whole page with videos of locks defeated and you'll notice that Proven Industries locks are not on there and they also tried hard and cannot defeat their own.
https://ftknoxlocks.godaddysites.com/lock-fails
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06-29-2021, 05:36 AM
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#8
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: Sugar Hill, Georgia
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21
Posts: 4
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Did you purchase this lock? If so, how is it doing?
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06-30-2021, 03:47 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: London, Ontario
Trailer: 2020 Escape 19
Posts: 1,117
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Sorry there are many threads on this. I can cut any lock off in 30 seconds with my DeWalt 20V cordless grinder. Another Forum user mentioned throwing the chains on the front of the trailer and not even using the hitch.
The most important is good insurance and never leave your trailer where it isn't safe. My trailer is stored at in a friends barn all winter and during the summer, a high security storage compound outside of town with lots of video cameras.
Most important, good insurance.
__________________
Had 2 Escapes, 17b, 19, went back to a pop up that fit in the garage. 2018 Coachman Clipper RBST HW AFrame
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06-30-2021, 08:16 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Fredericksburg, Texas
Trailer: sold Airstream\Casita -2019 21' Escape
Posts: 190
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This guy makes a living picking locks. Here he does the Proven Industry brand.
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06-30-2021, 08:35 PM
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#11
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: Sugar Hill, Georgia
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21
Posts: 4
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That video is 2 years old. Proven has modified their lock since this video was made.
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06-30-2021, 09:23 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Burlington Twp., New Jersey
Trailer: 2010 Escape 19
Posts: 7,126
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Marla King
That video is 2 years old. Proven has modified their lock since this video was made.
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It’s now vulnerable to drilling. Always a weak link. Probably the best protection is to pair the Proven Industries lock with a hardened Mul-T-Lock MT5+ TR-100 puck lock. Pricey though.
https://www.amazon.com/Mul-t-lock-MT.../dp/B00JXXI3ZO
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06-30-2021, 10:50 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: New Mexico, New Mexico
Trailer: 2017 E19
Posts: 610
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluesky
Trailer Hitch Lock recommendations? Once our 21NE arrives in Sept. we hope to keep it for a really long time and would hate to loose it to some not so nice folks who want one for themselves but don't want to pay for it . So, we need to lock it down. What do you guys suggest?
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It comes down to how to delay and/or deter the thief. Simple hitch locks (ca. $20-$50 type) can be easily removed with hand tools. Lots of youtube videos on how these locks are defeated within seconds. A more robust lock will require a powered grinder to remove. These include wheel locks or hitch locks like others have stated on this thread.
Insurance is recommended, but you probably already know the wait time for a new trailer.
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06-30-2021, 10:58 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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My hitch lock cost under $10 and has worked like a charm for 12 years.
My insurance went up again but covers replacement. Canadian dollars.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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07-11-2021, 09:56 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: Portland, Maine
Trailer: 2023 Escape 5.0TA
Posts: 233
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What about wheel locks?
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07-11-2021, 10:16 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: New Mexico, New Mexico
Trailer: 2017 E19
Posts: 610
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That is what we use. Trailer theft is a high consequence, low probably event. Akin to a house fire. We also have insurance, that that only is a financial replacement, not trailer replacement.
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07-11-2021, 10:26 AM
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#17
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 11,023
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Everything works, until it doesn't. Spend thousands on a trailer and a few dollars on a lock.... or buy the best you can afford. Either way, you've made a choice.
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward
2014 Escape 5.0TA
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07-11-2021, 10:27 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: Portland, Maine
Trailer: 2023 Escape 5.0TA
Posts: 233
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MVA
That is what we use.
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Are there advantages or disadvantages of a wheel lock over a hitch lock?
From what I can see, the larger size means more difficult to transport and store, but that's not too bad if there is better security from it.
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07-11-2021, 10:36 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: New Mexico, New Mexico
Trailer: 2017 E19
Posts: 610
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It becomes an engineering judgement. I reviewed some very good hitch locks (many on this forum) along with wheel locks. Simple pin or hitch locks can be defeated with hand tools (re - youtube videos, takes 5-10 seconds). Most better locks can be defeated, but require a powered grinder. I had looked at hitch locks but IMO a thief can still pull the trailer with the chains. The wheel lock disables motion of the trailer, but it can be removed with a grinder. It comes down to delay and persuading a thief to pick an easier target.
https://brahmalock.com/
2 cents
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07-12-2021, 03:34 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Redwood City, California
Trailer: 2017 Escape 19
Posts: 286
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Nothing's unbreakable, so lock security in practice is measured in minutes and noise. An angle grinder will open basically any lock eventually, but it might take 30 minutes of horrific screeching and showers of sparks.
Cable locks are pretty useless. Small cutters will go right through them silently in seconds.
The little hitch locks or a small padlock through the hitch pin is better, but won't hold up to larger cutters and can be bypassed with some care (rest the ball on top of the hitch, use an undersized ball, or tow by the chains). Will stop casual thieves, but not anyone putting in time and effort.
Bigger hitch locks mean cutters and undersized balls won't work, but it can still be towed off carefully by the chains. Some also lock up the chains to avoid this.
If you really want to make it difficult, the combination of a wheel lock and the Proven hitch lock will probably make almost anyone give up and move on to something easier.
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