trailer hitch lock question NEED HELP

[jwmiller33]

i just got a new boat and it is going to be sitting in my driveway for a week or two and i live in saint paul so i definitly am going to get a trailer hitch lock. I was wondering what kind of trailer hitch locks work the best and where to get them.

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what kind work best? am i looking in the right direction here? would menards have them?

[Ralph Wiggum]

Fleet Farm has a bunch of options. I can't really say which is best. If I were you, I would go with a few locks just to be on the safe side. If I remember correctly, you were getting a smaller, aluminum boat. I might use a coupler lock, maybe a bike lock through a wheel and around the frame, and maybe another bike lock chaining the boat to the trailer. Might seem like overkill, but an ounce of prevention...

Also, make sure you remove or lock down the motor and take out the gas tank. Both are easy targets.

[sparcebag]

Get a ball put it in the hitch close it and put a lock on the latch,Trailor to boat safety chain with pad lock,Block one wheel up and remove the tire & wheel.

All three are cheap and someone would have a heck of a time taking it away.

[jwmiller33]

im in st paul so no fleet farms close by.. menards would probably have these, right?

this coupler lock, i am looking at a bunch right now and don't really know what kind to get?

what if i got one big chain and ran it around/thru a tire, around the frame, and to the boat itself? [essentially combining two of the bike locks into one strong stainless steel linked chain w/ padlock]

[jwmiller33]

stupid forum rules dont let u post links to show what im talkin about

[sparcebag]

Theres a FF in oakdale?? When I lived there it was.Your chain Idea will work if ya got wheels that let the chain through.

[so haaad]

Yep, still an FF in Oakdale. 36 and 694. Menards on 36 would also have them.

[jwmiller33]

ok. there is a menards on snelling thats closer to my house then heading to FF... im sure menards will have everything.

[Tom7227]

Get some case hardened logging chain, run it through one of the wheels and around the frame, and then around a tree or something and then get an expensive lock to close things up. Option 2 (the better one) would be to leave it where you bought it until you can properly store the thing.

Uh, what did you say your address is?

[jwmiller33]

anybody going to challenge getting through my 3 sets of locks will also have to have to meet my two best friends, the 12 gauge accompanied by the baseball bat

[Sandmannd]

You can also get those locks at Wally World. I've been using the one that goes through like a pin and locks and have had no problem in St. Paul. You can also get a wheel lock like they use for cycles.

[Tom7227]

anybody going to challenge getting through my 3 sets of locks will also have to have to meet my two best friends, the 12 gauge accompanied by the baseball bat

Well then Bucko if you're going to be sleeping in the boat and not going anywhere why pray tell do you need the locks?

[The_Duckslayer]

Get a ball put it in the hitch close it and put a lock on the latch,

I dunno about that one... then all that I have to do is have a nut and I can screw the ball to my receiver and drive off.

[sparcebag]

Originally Posted By: sparcebag

Get a ball put it in the hitch close it and put a lock on the latch,

I dunno about that one... then all that I have to do is have a nut and I can screw the ball to my receiver and drive off.

I spose your a smart thief then carryin 3 different size nuts one will fit,do ya bring a tool box too how bout a random selection of other hardware?

[Dellfin]

Get a wheel lock called Gorilla Guard. If you've ever seen those shows about parking violations where they "boot" your wheel, that's what I'm talking about. I'd probably use a multitude of locks for the hitch, cable and chains, maybe a cable with a sensor that will cause it to squeal if it is cut. But the Gorilla Guard is the way to go IMHO.

[7outof10]

lock the hitch just like you where puting it on a truck and then put a paddle lock in it rather then a pin then they can not open it to put it on the ball they can still try but they wont make it far with out putting it all the way on the ball

[Hookey]

Holy Smokes !

Park a car in front of the trailer, Padlock the receiver, take the tires off the trailer, pull the wheel bearings, strip the treads on the axels, pull the outboard and hide it under the bed or move some where safe !

[hovermn]

Something a friend of mine did was not only put a lock on the coupler, but also put a lock through the coupler/tongue. If you lock just the coupler, it doesn't prevent someone from removing coupler from the tongue and replacing it with their own.

He also locked the boat to the trailer, and I believe he put a cable through the wheels.

Nothing you can do will work if the theif is determined. However, if you make it so they really have to work at it, they may move on. Time is money to them!

[The_Duckslayer]

Originally Posted By: The_Duckslayer

Originally Posted By: sparcebag

Get a ball put it in the hitch close it and put a lock on the latch,

I dunno about that one... then all that I have to do is have a nut and I can screw the ball to my receiver and drive off.

I spose your a smart thief then carryin 3 different size nuts one will fit,do ya bring a tool box too how bout a random selection of other hardware?

Actually all ya would need is a vice grip. Put the bolt thru the hole and clamp it and you can tow it far enough away that you can work on it some more some where else. I have heard of this happening and just wanted to mention it. Sheesh... Thieves can be very resortfull... Take care and N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo

[McGurk]

Quote:

I spose your a smart thief then carryin 3 different size nuts one will fit,do ya bring a tool box too how bout a random selection of other hardware?

I wouldn't put it past an experienced theif to have a toolbox of the necessary tools and other things that would make it faster, quieter, and easier. Honestly, most guys I know with trucks have a few tools and junk hardware laying around their cab, including spare balls with the accompanying nuts and washers.

I personally like the chain and lock through the tire and around the frame idea. That won't stop a dedicated thief, either though.