Trailer Security

Rolandtheroadie

I've bought myself a trailer, and I'm looking for recommendations for security.
I was thinking a padlock to lock the hitch handle down, and something that fit's in the hitch itself.

tim9966

Wheel Clamp?

Iceweasel

I use one of these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ALKO-AL-KO-HITCH-LOCK-WITH-2-KEYS-SAFETY-BALL-TYP1-FOR-CARAVAN-MOTORHOME-/331994727670?hash=item4d4c6d84f6:g:~s8AAOSwh2xX-jP7

forgotmyname

Depends how big the trailer is. A very large thick chain and a decent padlock.

If the trailer is small then hitchlocks and wheelclamps are a waste of time because they can just lift it into a van or onto a larger trailer etc.

Iceweasel

Some folks get a hefty motorcycle security chain with a monster padlock and secure their small trailer to a lamp-post.

Richard53

I have a small trailer and never bothered with a hitchlock. However, I once had to stay overnight in a dodgy part of Oxford. I left it attached to the car and backed the whole lot into a tight corner, then fitted a big motorcycle security chain through the frame and padlocked it to the hole in the towbar where the breakaway cable goes. It (the trailer) was still there in the morning.


As a routine thing, a hitchlock is easy to use and reasonably secure, although not hard to defeat if someone is determined. Add a chain and a wheelclamp and most villains would think it was not worth the effort.

Rolandtheroadie

Think I'll go the alko route and perhaps a wheel clamp or chain as well.
It's big enough, so couldn't be lifted, and there's normally a vehicle parked in front of it too.
Between that and a couple of visible devices, it'll hopefully put someone off trying.

Herzlos

Depends on the trailer.

I've normally just gone for a hitch lock and either left it locked onto the car, or onto a dummy ball. You can get dummy balls that lock into the hitch (bulldog is one brand), but most newish trailers come with or with the facility to take a hitch lock.

If you're leaving it parked up for a while, then you may want to go for the wheel clamp, or take one of the wheels off and replace it with a locking stand.

If it's small enough, or parks on end, you might just be best sticking it behind something and taking the wheels off.

butterfly72

When I had my horse trailer I had a Bulldog hitch lock which was cost around £100 but was apparently 'gold standard' whatever that means. I also had a wheel clamp. Never got stolen!

Richard53

Herzlos wrote: »

If you're leaving it parked up for a while, then you may want to go for the wheel clamp, or take one of the wheels off and replace it with a locking stand.

You can get 'winter wheels' for caravans which bolt onto the hubs and are essentially square. No-one is going to drive it off with those on! I'm not sure you could justify that for a small trailer, but the idea is a good one.

Herzlos

For a small trailer, you can always just take the wheels off and store them in a shed. Then just leave it on the ground or propped up on some bricks.