Do You Lock Your Trailer?

[Fishing Cop]

I was wondering if most people lock their trailers. If so, what kind of lock do you recommend? 

[blackmax135]

Yes!!! and it is a good idea to find a way to make sure the ball can't bee stolen either.  I was out fishing one day when i got back i was backing my trailer down and something did not sound right.  I got out and look and the nut holding the ball on to the hitch was almost off.  I did not just come loose on its own.  So i tack welded it on to the reciever. 

[Fishing Cop]

That is a great idea. I will check on the ball and also get a locking receiver for my hitch. What kind of lock is best for the trailer?

[slonezp]

The best locks are the wheel locks that fit around and thru the wheel. The round tongue locks can be broken by sliding a pipe over them and snapping them.

[Fishing Cop]

I am not sure what wheel locks are. Are they the silver flat round ones?

[tntitans21399]

The best locks are the wheel locks that fit around and thru the wheel. The round tongue locks can be broken by sliding a pipe over them and snapping them.

Which lock are you talking about being broken off? The yellow one with a bar going over or the silver that slides in and over the grove?

[tntitans21399]

I am not sure what wheel locks are. Are they the silver flat round ones?

I think he means this type http://images.gasgoo.com/MiMwMDRfMDA0IzE4NDcwMTEwMA--/auto-part-wheel-lock.jpg

[Fishing Cop]

Maybe someone should post a link or photo of the ones to use and to not use.

[Fishing Cop]

I am talking about a tongue lock.

[tntitans21399]

I put (http://www.snowmobile.com/images/content/1Master-Lock-Trailer-Couple.jpg) this type on all 3 of my trailers when not in use and in 2/3 that can use this (http://www.etrailer.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/pics/R/C/RC6_cc_1000.jpg) to keep it locked on the lock or on the truck so you can't just lift it and move it to another truck.

Oddly enough I had my 16ft utility trailer sitting next to a buddies 14ft utility trailer at work all alone and someone took the 14 ft and left mine alone. His looks nicer but mine is longer and can handle more weight so I think the $20 lock made them pick the other one. Worth getting but if someone wants it no lock can stop them but I think it helps in 90% of situations.

[Fishing Cop]

Titans, is that first one something you can leave on the trailer while being towed and at the ramp left unattended? The second link I can't open.

[slonezp]

 

The 1/4" pin locks like this one as well http://www.harborfreight.com/1-4-quarter-inch-trailer-coupler-pin-lock-97149.html

easy to break

[Fishing Cop]

It looks like Auto Zone carries them and I will pay them a visit tomorrow.

[Bomber7]

I put (http://www.snowmobile.com/images/content/1Master-Lock-Trailer-Couple.jpg) this type on all 3 of my trailers when not in use and in 2/3 that can use this (http://www.etrailer.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/pics/R/C/RC6_cc_1000.jpg) to keep it locked on the lock or on the truck so you can't just lift it and move it to another truck.

Oddly enough I had my 16ft utility trailer sitting next to a buddies 14ft utility trailer at work all alone and someone took the 14 ft and left mine alone. His looks nicer but mine is longer and can handle more weight so I think the $20 lock made them pick the other one. Worth getting but if someone wants it no lock can stop them but I think it helps in 90% of situations.

You ain't kidding about if someone wants it no lock will stop them.  I know this is about trailer locks - but a few years ago I had my hunting tree stand set up (a hang on and ladder stand together) stolen.  Me and my hunting buddy after locking it with several locks, chains and cables said well if it get stolen they obviously want it more then we do.  And yup went out one day after the season to get it all down and there on the ground laid all the cut cables, locks and chains.  Really sucked cause it was a nice setup that him and I used for a few years and killed several deer out of them.  oh well live and learn - I now have a portable climber that only weighs 21 lbs so real easy to pack in and out of the woods - I won't leave another in woods again ... unless it's private land and no one else has access to it. 

[Kevin22]

Saw a guy paddle lock his trailer to the ball once. All it would have taken was one pull of the pin and the whole ball assembly would have came right out, then stick it into your truck and off you go. 

[einscodek]

Yea but if someone really wants it and theres a locked one and an unlocked one.. which ones gonna go?

In this day and age you need to lock everything down

[tcbass]

Only when it's out of my garage. When it's in my garage unlocked.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

I lock each and every one of my trailers. All the time. All locks do though is keep honest people honest. If somebody really wants it, they'll be able to chop through a lock.

[jhoffman]

Lock on the pin for the receiver and on the trailer, like stated, keeping honest people honest.

[blackmax135]

Its all about trying to change someones mind on if they really wanna go through all the work to get your trailer so the harder it is to lock it up the harder time they are gonna have to work to steel it.  If they want it they are gonna get it but the way i look at it is if someones gonna steal from me they aren't gonna have much cause they are gonna ruin it when they try to take off with it.  If i can't have it no one is.  When i go off somewere i think there is a chance of my trailer beeing stolen (wich it can be stolen anywere) I go through the trouble of taking all the lugs of my tires except one and its a locking nut.  Chances of the tire coming off is probably small but i do what i can do defer the theif and hope it comes off and ruins everything.  I have been working on a device that folds down from the trailer and slides into the wheel hopefully it will work. 

[Bluebasser86]

Bad idea not to lock it. I used a heavy cable and padlock on my old boat when it was stored outside at a friends farm. I ran the cable through the wheel, around the trailer, and locked the padlock on it. I went out to get it one day, cable had marks where someone had tried unsuccessfully to cut it and the wheel was badly damaged from where they tried to drive off with it anyways. A new wheel is a whole lot cheaper to replace than a boat

[Sam]

Yes!

 

I have no idea of the lock's name or manufacturer.

 

I think I got it at Wal-Mart many years ago.

 

Good "peace of mind" protection even if you don't think you need it.

 

Purchase the best one you can.

[jhoffman]

Part of the reason you carry insurance also right? You do have an insurance policy on your boats I hope.

[Christian M]

I keep a pin style key lock on my trailer all the time. Whe. Im in a shady area I put my bike lock through the tire & wrap it around the trailer. Its steel cable wrapped in Kevlar. I also use it when I cartop my kayak.