Trailer security

jdkoepsell · February 14

Any recommendation on trailer hitch locks when trailer is (1) being stored outside in a gated storage facility and (2) when attached to parked tow vehicle.

BandB · February 14

@jdkoepsell for our 320s BD that we keep in our driveway we use a Fort Knox Lock that fits over the entire coupler. It's bright yellow, very heavy duty and uses a keyed puck lock. Good customer service when we had a little bit of trouble figuring out how to install it. No problems in four years of camping. It gives me great peace of mind.
In addition to that, we also keep the stabilizers down. Sometimes, if we leave the trailer in a parking lot, etc., we'll also install a wheel lock for another layer of security.

Grumpy_G · February 14

Get a wheel lock, thieves often don't bother hitching up the trailer. They just wrap the safety chains around their hitch and off they go. Then deal with the hitch lock later.

marleecamps · February 14

While my Tab400 is stored in my driveway or at a campsite, I use the following: 1- Trimax wheel lock, 2-coupler pin lock, 3- coupler lock, and 4- padlock on chains wrapped around the front wheel crank lever so they can't be used to haul the camper. Stabilizers down. A thief is going to have to work hard and make a lot of noise in the process.

While towing, I use the locking coupler pin. Can easily be broken off with a hammer but again they are going to make a lot of noise.

I also have an Air Tag hidden inside my Tab.

jbajor · February 14

I have a Proven Industries https://www.provenlocks.com/ hitch lock. Super secure and it locks the safety chains inside too. Great peace of mind.

Horigan · February 15

I suggest a good hitch lock and a basic wheel lock. Multiple lock types will dissuade thieves more.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/km/ixvjvt2bco35.png

mx4789 · February 15

I use a tongue lock (fits inside where the ball goes), and then run a pin lock thru the chains and the latch, and then the boot style lock (like the one someone posted above). One bit of advice on the boot style lock... make sure it is wide enough to fit around your tire. Mine barely fits and I can't just clamp it on anywhere (it did fit fine on my old camper, though). And I keep the stabs down as well. Like everyone else says, they aren't fool-proof, instead they are just a deterrent to make someone pick an easier target.

You can also get a GPS tracker with like a $20 a month subscription or so. When stationary (like in a driveway or storage lot) I found that the battery lasts many months before needing to be recharged and can be wired into the trailer battery so that it will recharge when the battery is on.

My theory these days is keep enough insurance on it, make it hard to steal, and if it does get stolen file a claim and hope they don't find it or that it gets totaled out... ie, you don't want it back if it gets stolen because the thieves are not going worry about damaging it or taking care of it.

iamjulieb · March 27

We use a Proven Industries coupler lock, wheel lock, and remove our safety chains.

mx4789 · March 27

Talk about a sense of dejavu... I had someone come over the house last week for business and she was admiring my 320, she said she and her husband had a "little trailer" once and showed me a picture on her phone. It was a Tab! (I don't remember which model tho). She said they had it parked in front of their house one evening (normally kept a storage lot) getting it loaded and ready for a trip the next day. When her husband came home from work he was like "honey, where's the trailer?" and sure enough someone had taken it during the evening. She said the stabilizers were down and everything. She said you could see gouge marks in the asphalt where they just drug it off. Yikes! Now I'm super paranoid, lol.

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