Best Trailer Locks…

[Ingomike]

Thought this was interesting…

7 Best Trailer Locks – Uncuttable and Unbreakable - LockJudge

There are many websites showing you trailer hitch locks that have MAJOR SECURITY ISSUES! Do you want an Uncuttable and Unbreakable Trailer lock...?

lockjudge.com

 

[Ingomike]

Most interesting was many common trailer locks were judged junk…

 

[dudley0]

Had a contractor leave his trailer in a place I needed to be on my jobsite. He had one of those reese yellow hitch locks. I went out with my picks to undo it but just needed to shake it a few times to get it to pop open.

I say this although I have had my trailer and 72" commercial mower stolen because I had padlocks on the trailer hitch that were cut. Sadly I still do. I am going to look into some of these now.

Thanks, I needed the kick in the backside.

 

[jerrob]

I've had several and all of them junk. I'm currently using the Reese ball hitch (ball hitch, lol) and it's junk too.
When the thieves can simply wrap the safety chains around their hitch, raise the jack stand and drive off, no hitch lock will work. My safety chains come off the trailer when it's parked.
I'm not sure of their proper name, but the "wheel boot", a clam shell like device that attatches and locks over the wheel(s) to keep it from rolling.
IMHO, that's about the most realistic, affordable way to REDUCE the chance of getting a trailer stolen, keeping what's on or inside the trailer secure is another issue.

 

[jkaetz]

I always thought a quality chain or two through the tandem axels was the best prevention. Thieves would either have to spend a lot of time cutting quality chains and locks or drag the thing up on a flatbed. Downside is the expense of the chain(s) and lock(s) plus any damage to the trailer if they were foolish enough to try and tow it away first.

 

[laf]

I use a Ft Knox Locks on my Atwood style coupler. It uses a puck lock to secure it. The puck lock is stainless with an Abloy sentry keyway. It appears that you may have to call LSI now to get the puck in stainless with the Abloy keyway, but the puck style is universal so it's very easy to swap lock cylinders or just chose another keyway that you want. The puck lock has good reviews and is a disk detainer style and it appears that the Ft Knox locks is of good quality as well so I hope I'm protected between the two. I can't remove my safety chains but I think the locks are enough deterrent to have thieves move on.

 

[Ingomike]

Had a contractor leave his trailer in a place I needed to be on my jobsite. He had one of those reese yellow hitch locks. I went out with my picks to undo it but just needed to shake it a few times to get it to pop open.

I say this although I have had my trailer and 72" commercial mower stolen because I had padlocks on the trailer hitch that were cut. Sadly I still do. I am going to look into some of these now.

Thanks, I needed the kick in the backside.

Sorry about that loss, that same link has info on padlocks too…

 

[Ingomike]

When the thieves can simply wrap the safety chains around their hitch, raise the jack stand and drive off, no hitch lock will work.

I like the idea of one of these coupler inserts, coupler release lock, and hardened safety chains wrapped around the tongue and padlocked with a good padlock.

 

[Ingomike]

I always thought a quality chain or two through the tandem axels was the best prevention. Thieves would either have to spend a lot of time cutting quality chains and locks or drag the thing up on a flatbed. Downside is the expense of the chain(s) and lock(s) plus any damage to the trailer if they were foolish enough to try and tow it away first.

I have done this. I also have just used a log chain on the wheel and looped on the hotel parking lot light pole, when they leave the video will be cool…. LOL

 

[dudley0]

Sorry about that loss, that same link has info on padlocks too…

I have some higher quality locks. Biggest problem is the shackles won't fit into the tongue lever.

 

[dudley0]

I've had several and all of them junk. I'm currently using the Reese ball hitch (ball hitch, lol) and it's junk too.
When the thieves can simply wrap the safety chains around their hitch, raise the jack stand and drive off, no hitch lock will work. My safety chains come off the trailer when it's parked.
I'm not sure of their proper name, but the "wheel boot", a clam shell like device that attatches and locks over the wheel(s) to keep it from rolling.
IMHO, that's about the most realistic, affordable way to REDUCE the chance of getting a trailer stolen, keeping what's on or inside the trailer secure is another issue.

Interesting about wrapping the chains around their hitch. Now I have another worry.

Even if you pull your safety chains I guess they can always add their own and still drive off.

The wheel boot is interesting. As long as it covers the lug nuts as well.

 

[jerrob]

I've seen them on Amazon and almost bought one, but they're not inexpensive.
I have ran a chain and padlock through the wheels (as mentioned upstream), but was concerned thieves would cut the chain and use it to wrap the trailer tongue, lol.
Bottom line, if they want the trailer, or what's inside bad enough, no lock can stop them.
I've went as far as putting those cheapo solar powered, motion detector lights on my employer's cargo trailer to deter theft.
Every little bit helps, but nothing can stop them.

 

[dudley0]

Right now I have my enclosed trailer parked next to the house so my camera can let me know if something nefarious is under way.

I don't want to keep the trailer in the drive, but the sting from the theft is still there. I know that nothing is perfect. I just need to decide how far is far enough and then let it be so I can use my time worrying over it for something else.

 

[Mounty09]

I have thought about building a lock similar to the proven lock.

I currently run a cable through both wheels and through the center leaf spring link. If they take the wheels off they will have to drag the wheels as the cable is too short for the wheels to be placed up on the trailer.

 

[CHCRandy]

I still think the best option is to remove the wheels and leave trailer on blocks............at least they have to buy tires and put some sweat equity into stealing your trailer.

 

[Timjoebillybob]

Bottom line, if they want the trailer, or what's inside bad enough, no lock can stop them.
I've went as far as putting those cheapo solar powered, motion detector lights on my employer's cargo trailer to deter theft.
Every little bit helps, but nothing can stop them.

Yep. Same thing as in the hardening your door thread, if a thief really wants in they will get in. Best you can do is make it difficult enough or would attract too much attention that they bypass yours and go for an easier target.

I was taught basically the same thing when I was dealing in a casino. If they are good enough you won't be able to catch them cheating at craps, best you can do is be as aware as possible so they go elsewhere in case they slip up a bit. The instructor who gave us that lesson was good enough, he told us how he was going to do it, when he was going to do it, and then picked up a pair of red dice and threw green ones. Standing 2-3 feet away I couldn't spot the switch even after he did it multiple times in a couple of different ways.