Best way to lock / secure a trailer from theft….

[LargeOrangeFont]

I had a fun idea...

Stow a length of stout chain / that attached very solidly to the inside of the frame up near the front of the trailer...longer the better. If you're parking it on your own property in the same spot every time....cut out the concrete and pour yourself a 16" deep footing with a low profile hook in it...sort of like an arresting hook on an aircraft carrier. Use some 100 test fishing line (hard to see at night) from the chain to another anchor point so when the trailer starts moving, it drags the chain off the little shelf under the trailer where you have it stowed so the chain lands behind the hook... Ideally they'll get up to 15mph or so before the chain hits the hook, stops the whole rig in its tracks, very likely breaking the back half of the truck off and also very likely triggering the air bags. Trailer will probably be totaled but it would be well worth it. Truck occupants will probably be a bit fucked up too.

That’s all fine an good unless they are stealing his truck too.

 

[HB2Havasu]

But if you watch social media, they seem to have created the solution, they just take the whole truck and trailer.

That’s what happened to me last year. Got the truck back after they stripped $12K in parts off it 2 weeks later. The Toyhauler is probably in some homeboys backyard with illegal aliens living in it. It’s never been found.

My solution besides having good insurance. I installed a hidden ignition switch and a boot on the truck. The trailer also has a hitch lock and a boot. Both vehicles now have gps trackers onboard. Hopefully nobody is dumb enough to steal it this time and have me find them 20 minutes later. It won’t be a pretty picture

 

[HALLETT BOY]

I think the best idea is a removable tongue . Just unbolt it and install a cardboard mock- up one so if the’ve done a drive by to scope it out , they won’t notice the missing part . Ha Ha

 

[monkeyswrench]

Impossible for most normal deals, but...
There was a company that displayed at the car shows I'd go to, they had two matching rigs. Both were gooseneck/dually setups. When they'd park for the night, they'd pass each other right side to right side, hook hard right and then back to jack knife. Couldn't drop the doors on the trailers without moving the trucks, and couldn't move just one truck. Impressive as hell!

Now that I think about it, may have been one of the crate motor displays...out of the nice areas like Detroit

 

[COCA COLA COWBOY]

Buy a project or beater car to park in front of it. Since the legal system does nothing to punish criminals anymore, they just steal like no tomorrow. It's crazy!

 

[DarkJuJu]

I remove lug nuts off one side of the trailer..

This is a good idea, but perhaps use these "trailerlegs" and just remove the wheels altogether when storing.

RV Trailer And 5th Wheel Stabilizing Storage Jacks

Many trailer owners overlook is the fact that the tires wear out even during storage because it has to carry the total weight of the trailer. Get your proper trailer storage today!

trailerlegs.com

 

[propcheck]

I use this. The key to security is layers. One system/ device is not going to stop all of it except maybe the claymore

The steel around the hockey puck lock is 3/16” and I positioned it so you can only fit the key in the lock. And welded a small plate of ar500 steel over the lock pin so it would take a couple cut off wheels to cut the lock pin.

 

[Feelin Nauti]

I have always used these locks with no failures or thefts... https://www.provenlocks.com/

 

[Foscheck]

I use this. The key to security is layers. One system/ device is not going to stop all of it except maybe the claymore

The steel around the hockey puck lock is 3/16” and I positioned it so you can only fit the key in the lock. And welded a small plate of ar500 steel over the lock pin so it would take a couple cut off wheels to cut the lock pin. View attachment 1078747

Well stated....layers is the key

 

[69hondo]

From what I was reading the thieves usually dont even hook it up with the hitch they wrap the tow chains around whatever they have sticking out of there truck then lower the trailer jack and take the fuck off. I am not saying that is how all these low life shit heads do it but just some info I was told.

 

[Foscheck]

I have always used these locks with no failures or thefts... https://www.provenlocks.com/

I went to their 400 series puck locks, which seem to be an improvement from an engineering view point. I dunno. Not an expert or a thief so I continue to subscribe to the "layers" strategy.

 

[Devilman]

From what I was reading the thieves usually dont even hook it up with the hitch they wrap the tow chains around whatever they have sticking out of there truck then lower the trailer jack and take the fuck off. I am not saying that is how all these low life shit heads do it but just some info I was told.

Wouldn't doubt it a bit. Friend of mine's boat was stolen few years ago this way. His trailer had a swing away/removable tongue, he figured taking the tongue off the trailer would keep it safe, but nope... they chained it up close to whatever they were driving and hauled ass with it.

 

[outboard_256]

From what I was reading the thieves usually dont even hook it up with the hitch they wrap the tow chains around whatever they have sticking out of there truck then lower the trailer jack and take the fuck off. I am not saying that is how all these low life shit heads do it but just some info I was told.

that makes sense. It takes me so long to line up the ball by myself I would probably ask the owner to help me while I steal his trailer.

 

[Feelin Nauti]

I went to their 400 series puck locks, which seem to be an improvement from an engineering view point. I dunno. Not an expert or a thief so I continue to subscribe to the "layers" strategy.

i use stainless steel puck locks harder to cut

 

[PlanB]

At our Havasu house, when we left a trailer in our side yard, I sunk 4' steel poles in concrete under the axles and secured them to welded eyelets on top of the posts with thick cable locks. I also had two steel poles in front of the trailer that went into steel sleeves sunk into concrete. Each pole had two locks securing them to the sleeves concreted into the ground. This was all behind a block wall and a locked wrought iron gate. By the time someone was able to get through all of that, my neighbors would be calling the cops.

 

[SoCalDave]

Thought about adding a tracking devise to it? A buddy of mine has added these to his fleet (service trucks and trailers) for under a grand each. You can track the location 24/7 in real time. At least you'd know where to look when it's gone.

Safepoint - Connected Car & Vehicle GPS Tracking Device

Safepoint's Vehicle GPS Tracking Device & Vehicle Recovery System provides a user-friendly GPS app that makes managing your vehicle and tracking your car EASY.

www.safepointgps.com

 

[coolchange]

I have the chained to the driveway deal. Can’t see it unless you crawl under.
Bollards are a good idea.
I’ve thought a tongue jack out of solid steel that lifts the tongue about 30” and can’t be easily removed would work good.

 

[liquid addiction]

480 volts

 

[Long Way Home]

You just want to make it difficult to steal. When parked outside, remove all tires on the trailer from left or right side, your choice, lock up your tires in the garage/house , or a removable tongue, or Big dog, etc...

 

[jetboatperformance]

We Chain and lock all boats for security and they are under constant video surveillance , but thieves have grinders, sawzalls and bolt cutters , I'm always ecstatic when a boat comes in with a swing away hitch (or removable) .... Thieves are "creative" , When a boat was stolen here years back the simple cut all the locks and chains and used a 100 foot HUGE cotton rope to stealthily drag the boat from camera view , Perp was caught BTW but wouldnt give up the location where it went (He did time for it GTA/Probation violation)

 

[Bigbore500r]

Ok, heres what I ended up with

• Proven industries hitch lock, with puck lock upgrade
• Square link hardened chain thru wheels, with a reputable lock
• Remove fuse in power tongue jack, and leave jack in fully extended position (it would be hard to tow with that stuck sticking down!)
• GPS / 4G tracker with geofence and alerts / push notifications
• Camera on driveway with alerts / motion zone - push notifications

If they want it that bad and are bad ass.....Insurance can pay me out. At least I can say I tried!

 

[RiverDave]

As was said most locks and chains just keep out honest thieves. You could always put an Apple air tag on it that was posted recently.

This is what I would do.. as well a tongue lock

 

[Bigbore500r]

This is what I would do.. as well a tongue lock

Airtags are only good for 800' or so....

Went with a GPS / 4G tracker. Updates location every 30 seconds and whenever it changes direction (corners...).
Also lets you set up a geo-fence, so if it leaves your driveway you get a text / email / notification and alerts you somethings up.
Track it anywhere you have satelite view to sky and / or 4G data

 

[just_floatin]

I use to keep a 20’ flatbed trailer stored outdoors in LHC with a cable and tongue lock before they became a hot commodity. Now it takes up space in a 45’ storage unit I should be renting. Damn I hate thieves…..

 

[samsah33]

Dang, 74 posts so far and no one has suggested a new prop...? y'all must be getting old!!!

 

[Yoshiro]

If it's an enclosed utility trailer put a fake company logo on the side that has something to do with Septic service or pumping.

 

[Roosky01]

Always park next to another trailer (preferably not one you own as well!) and put one of these on that trailer. Best thing is, it works with about whatever you have that you're trying to keep from being stolen!

 

[4Waters]

If it's an enclosed utility trailer put a fake company logo on the side that has something to do with Septic service or pumping.

Cousin Eddie's septic pumping

 

[Roosky01]

Cousin Eddie's septic pumping

Shitters Full!

 

[Lucky Larry]

That’s what happened to me last year. Got the truck back after they stripped $12K in parts off it 2 weeks later. The Toyhauler is probably in some homeboys backyard with illegal aliens living in it. It’s never been found.

My solution besides having good insurance. I installed a hidden ignition switch and a boot on the truck. The trailer also has a hitch lock and a boot. Both vehicles now have gps trackers onboard. Hopefully nobody is dumb enough to steal it this time and have me find them 20 minutes later. It won’t be a pretty picture

Is there a good brand boot you can recommend? Looking for something heavy duty.

“Lucky’s Wife”

 

[Angler]

My neighbor actually has a boot for his service truck, looks like this.

 

[AzMandella]

My neighbor actually has a boot for his service truck, looks like this.

View attachment 1095304

I use one similar to this and this hitch lock . They have different styles depending on what type of tongue you have .

Model 2178-B

Description FITS 2'' BullDog Trailer Couplers (Puck Lock Included) Model 2178-B was designed to fit 2'' BullDog style trailer couplers. This style trailer coupler is usually found on heavy duty trailers such as those used in commercial applications and heavier weight-rated trailer applications...

www.provenlocks.com

 

[MPHSystems]

I would put a 7 pin plug on the trailer side. Just like how there is a 7 pin plug on the truck side. So you can remove the cable between the truck and trailer. It doesn't prevent theft but if there is no cable to plug into the truck the lights don't work. No working lights are more likely to get pulled over by a police officer. Just make sure the trailer is reported stolen.

I actually did that last night… but not to keep them from stealing the trailer, because last time I was at Uhaul, they had stolen all the hookup wire from all the trailers on the lot, supposedly for scrap value.

 

[HB2Havasu]

Is there a good brand boot you can recommend? Looking for something heavy duty.

“Lucky’s Wife”

I just got some cheap ones off Amazon. It’s mostly a visual deterrent. Most thieves are going to move on to the next vehicle when they see a boot. There game is to be stealthy and be in/out of there within minutes. There not going to risk getting caught by grinding off a boot for an hour.

 

[TPC]

Leave it attached to the truck. Or store it in Dave’s toy box

I leave it attached to the truck and use the forgettaboutit chain w/lock.

 

[TPC]

TicTok and YouTube shorts is full of 30 second hacks to open any lock. Ya gotta take it a few steps further.

 

[PRIMO]

Cut your Tongue Off the Trailer / weld plates to tongue / drill holes through plates & trailer / install bolts when towing / remove tongue throw in back of truck when away from boat/trailer PROBLEM SOLVED.....

 

[D19]

Tape a job application to the tongue. Dirt bags won't go anywhere near it. It's like kryptonite.

 

[TexasJet]

On the CP I had a alarm installed. Once armed any vibration or movement sets it off.

 

[Bigbore500r]

Cut your Tongue Off the Trailer / weld plates to tongue / drill holes through plates & trailer / install bolts when towing / remove tongue throw in back of truck when away from boat/trailer PROBLEM SOLVED.....

Sounds like a quick and easy hookup when your ready to go.....lol

 

[wallnutz]

Over insure it and don't give a shit if it gets stolen....You will sleep much better at night...!

Bingo. If you have any personal trinkets you want to keep, take them out. If a thief wants it, a thief will get it.

 

[Orange Juice]

If they can’t steal it, they’ll fuck it up so bad, you wish they had taken it.

It use to be they stole your hubcaps, then it was your wheels and tires, now it’s the catalytic converters, tailgates, and anything you leave in your car, and will smash the window in broad daylight to get it.

 

[rush1]

Always take your safety chains off if there welded on cut them and make them bolt on , unbolt them while in storage.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Always take your safety chains off if there welded on cut them and make them bolt on , unbolt them while in storage.

Damn, can't trust them people in right hand drives!

 

[Ace in the Hole]

Put a big chain and lock to a post or something at the rear of the trailer that is not visible and get some sort of LoJack on the trailer

One of the biggest losses business wise I ever had was over this. They cut two cables and a chain. In front of cameras in a busy building. Trailer was never found.

 

[Ballyhoo]

Years ago I worked a trailer theft case and boat theft case. The bad guys were stealing any type of dump or box trailers and a number of performance boats. I personally watched these guys steal three trailers. In each instance they quickly defeated any and all types of security. They were hooked up and ready to go in a couple of minutes. In one case they used the safety chains and their own chains to steal the trailer. They were only concerned with getting rolling as quickly as possible.

 

[stingray11]

 

[wishiknew]

If it's an enclosed utility trailer put a fake company logo on the side that has something to do with Septic service or pumping.

THen they think you generators and pumps inside

 

[JDKRXW]

A free layer of security to slow the grab and go thieves - lower the jack all the way and remove it (set tongue on a block if needed).
If thieves don't have a jack-all, they're going to need extra time.

 

[Sherpa]

everybody needs to check out the "Lock picking Lawyer" on youtube...... from there type in the search line: trailer tongue locks.
you'd be surprised to see some of the locks can be opened or broke within seconds.....