We're new 21C owners!

[DandD]

Hi everyone,
My hubby and I will be having our new 21C delivered just in time for Christmas! We are downsizing from our 20 year old 33' 5th wheel (that served us well when we had kids camping with us). Now we can't wait to be able to get into lots of smaller, off the beaten path sites. Also excited to enjoy the benefits of a fiberglass trailer.

My first question for the group: what is your favorite hitch lock to prevent your trailer from 'driving away' with someone else?

thanks!
Deb & David

 

[SRS]

Proven industries makes a line of very good hitch locks: The Best Trailer Locks | Proven Industries
I would contact them to make sure you get the correct one, that's what I did.

Ft Knox is another good brand: Ft. Knox Locks

Amazon lists a lot of locks including the above brands as well as others. It can be a challenge deciding what you want at least it was for me. Good luck.

 

[jjdeluca]

Deb & David - Welcome & Congratulations on your early Christmas present!
Our "Fort Knox Lock" is a very substantial lock, although we haven't really felt the need to use it much.
Enjoy your new 21C.

 

[Ron in BC]

21C- great choice. It'll cover a lot of bases and do pretty much everything you're looking for.

What level of security you use depends on your storage situation. If it's in your driveway, as mine is, a basic lock works for me. If it's in a remote storage area then maybe higher level locks might be a good idea.

Ron

 

[WillyB]

We have the Proven lock but I've heard good things about the Fort Knox locks as well.

 

[DandD]

Thanks everyone for you recommendations. We have a large pad for the trailer at our house, but having a lock if we camp and go on long adventures for the day will make us feel more comfortable. Really appreciate your input!

 

[kernwig]

I have a regular Masterlock padlock that happens to fit the hitch perfectly. That is always on there, locking the hitch closed either when parked or when hitched to the vehicle. As is often said, if someone wants your trailer, they can get past anything; if they want a trailer, they'll move on to an easier target.

At home, the camper is in a carport and a long cable (with another padlock) loops around S.S. Iceberg, a utility trailer, and one leg of the carport.

 

[iamunique127]

I have a regular Masterlock padlock that happens to fit the hitch perfectly. That is always on there, locking the hitch closed either when parked or when hitched to the vehicle. As is often said, if someone wants your trailer, they can get past anything; if they want a trailer, they'll move on to an easier target.

At home, the camper is in a carport and a long cable (with another padlock) loops around S.S. Iceberg, a utility trailer, and one leg of the carport.

You may have a false sense of security with your Master locks and cables. A very small set of bolt cutters will make short work of a padlock on a hitch coupler and on many cables.

I just helped a friend winterize and move his boat into storage. He had forgotten his keys. There was a set of about 16" bolt cutters available. They went through the coupler's Master lock shackle like butter. I've had a bicycle stolen when someone cut a highly rated cable lock so I switched to U-locks.

Some sort of dedicated hitch lock may be a better choice although nothing is theft-proof. A couple affordable examples below. Likely even better ones linked above in previous posts.

 

[alanmalk]

My first question for the group: what is your favorite hitch lock to prevent your trailer from 'driving away' with someone else?

thanks!
Deb & David

Replacement coverage insurance.

My lock was featured on a YouTube video recently. Took the narrator longer to say how he was going to defeat it than it actually took - with a hammer and large nail.

 

[kernwig]

No false sense of security. I just know that layers of defeatable barriers is a better deterant than a single defeatable barrier.

I know that from software and network design too.

 

[jack sparrow]

Hey all,

Proven industries is at the top of my list. I have them on all my trailers. True to the core....... Locks are for honest folks, and yes if the thief wants your trailer bad enough they will get it. That being said, it was my hard earned money that paid for my trailer and I'm not just going to hand it over on a silver platter. They'll have to work through the layers to get it from me.

Use to ride dirt bikes for a profession and I'd have other riders ask me what kind of helmet should they buy, and I'd say..... well that depends........ if you have a $10 dollar head by a $10 dollar helmet or if you value your head........ spend the money that will protect you the best.....

So I'm not going to lock my hi-dollar Escape down with a $10-$20 dollar lock system that takes them only seconds to defeat, just giving them my trailer. BUT HEY!!!! That's just me....... different strokes for different folks....... do what works for you....... and gives you peace of mind. For me, it's Proven Industries locking systems coupled with a Dewalt Mobilelock Alarm system as well.

Proven Industries link: Hitches

Dewalt Mobilelock link: DEWALT MobileLock

As always all comments and thoughts are welcome.

Cheers to ya.......... and Happy Trails.........Jack

 

[MrLynn]

Just had a padlock on the hitch of my Casita. Got a Proven hitch lock for my Escape, after hearing a few horror stories. Though grinders are said to defeat just about anything you put on. It's more a matter of deterrence.

I think if I were leaving my trailer in a storage yard for a long period, I'd be sorely tempted to take the wheels off—and take them home.