Securing your trailer

[Java Jack]

Hey All,

After reading through the stolen trailer thread as well about hearing news on other stolen teardrops I started looking for a way to secure my trailer. I just posted a blog update on the locks I found to help deter thieves.

http://cre8tiveapps.blogspot.com/2015/09/stop-crime-before-it-starts-securing-my.html

I have also spoken with one of the lock companies (Proven Industries) and worked out a group buy deal for those interested. If so, let me know and I will work out the logistics.

Regards,
Jay

[lrrowe]

It is interesting and I am interested.

PS Nice Blog report.

[Kaz]

I like to use 2 of the hardened steel motorcycle chains and lock sets threaded through my wheels and wrapped around the axle on each side. Not theft proof but very effective.

[tony.latham]

Hey All,

After reading through the stolen trailer thread as well about hearing news on other stolen teardrops I started looking for a way to secure my trailer. I just posted a blog update on the locks I found to help deter thieves.

http://cre8tiveapps.blogspot.com/2015/09/stop-crime-before-it-starts-securing-my.html

I have also spoken with one of the lock companies (Proven Industries) and worked out a group buy deal for those interested. If so, let me know and I will work out the logistics.

Regards,
Jay

Jay:

That's the most impressive coupler lock I've seen. I'm especially impressed with the fact it locks the safety chains.

What's it retail for? I've done some serious Googling and can't find one.

Tony

[ukewarrior]

After reading your blog, I would like to know what a group buy price would be.
I would also like to know what the 'second best' lock was that was recommended by the 'proven' owner.

[Java Jack]

After reading your blog, I would like to know what a group buy price would be.
I would also like to know what the 'second best' lock was that was recommended by the 'proven' owner.

I am confirming the buy price and logistics now and will update once I have that info.

For the other lock recommended, it was the Megahitch that I link to in the blog. Similar style lock. Steel is about 1/8" instead of the 1/4" of the Proven Industries. It too is a pretty good lock.

[Java Jack]

Hey All,

After reading through the stolen trailer thread as well about hearing news on other stolen teardrops I started looking for a way to secure my trailer. I just posted a blog update on the locks I found to help deter thieves.

http://cre8tiveapps.blogspot.com/2015/09/stop-crime-before-it-starts-securing-my.html

I have also spoken with one of the lock companies (Proven Industries) and worked out a group buy deal for those interested. If so, let me know and I will work out the logistics.

Regards,
Jay

Jay:

That's the most impressive coupler lock I've seen. I'm especially impressed with the fact it locks the safety chains.

What's it retail for? I've done some serious Googling and can't find one.

Tony

Retail is $195. However, I spoke with the owner and he said he would offer a group buy price for folks. I am waiting to hear the discount price and logistics now.

[Java Jack]

I like to use 2 of the hardened steel motorcycle chains and lock sets threaded through my wheels and wrapped around the axle on each side. Not theft proof but very effective.

Yep, that would be a good deterrent for sure. Might be challenging though if you have baby moon wheels and no way to sling the chain through the rim.

[Java Jack]

It is interesting and I am interested.

PS Nice Blog report.

Thanks for the comment. I will let you know what I hear from Proven Industries on Price/Logistics.

[booyah]

I'm interested depending on price, $200 is a bit steep for my tastes

[TomMaj]

I like to use 2 of the hardened steel motorcycle chains and lock sets threaded through my wheels and wrapped around the axle on each side. Not theft proof but very effective.

Same thing here. if I don't have a hefty tree nearby to chain the front end to.

[Dalorin]

Maybe I'm naive. My plan was a plain coupler lock, a wheel chock, and removing a wheel at camp.

It seems like a theif is unlikely to saw the coupler off, pick the lock on the chock, and wander about town looking for a wheel.

It isn't that it couldn't be done per say, just pretty tiresome.

After all that work they have a stolen teardrop with no title.

Is this naive?

Where do campers get stolen anyway? From the campsites?

It seems more likely they would get stolen from storage.

[Java Jack]

I heard back from the folks at Proven Industries.

MSRP is $195, they are willing to provide a discount and sell it to folks here at $150. Not a bad deal for the lock as it is a hefty lock.

Send me a PM and I will send you the Promo Code. I promised I would not blast it all over the forum so that random people would find it and use it.

[Java Jack]

Maybe I'm naive. My plan was a plain coupler lock, a wheel chock, and removing a wheel at camp.

It seems like a theif is unlikely to saw the coupler off, pick the lock on the chock, and wander about town looking for a wheel.

It isn't that it couldn't be done per say, just pretty tiresome.

After all that work they have a stolen teardrop with no title.

Is this naive?

Where do campers get stolen anyway? From the campsites?

It seems more likely they would get stolen from storage.

I don't think it is naïve. However, my thoughts were a prepared thief would likely have bolt cutters and crowbar handy and might even have a spare trailer wheel as all of these would be quick and easy. Therefore, I was trying to make it a little more difficult such that they would move on to an easier target.

I have heard of trailers being stolen out of driveways, while in storage and even out of campsites while people were out shopping or hiking. So, I am not sure there is really a place it wouldn't be stolen from...it's just a matter of how much work is required to steal it vs. risk of getting caught.

[tony.latham]

My plan was a plain coupler lock, a wheel chock, and removing a wheel at camp.

I carried a badge and a heavy belt with all sorts of stuff on it for most of my adult life. I think you've gone beyond what you need to do to prevent a theft. Unless you're camping "in the projects." What you're planning sounds like work to me.

It seems like a theif is unlikely to saw the coupler off, pick the lock on the chock, and wander about town looking for a wheel.

Crooks are lazy and opportunistic. Most are dopers. Nobody is going to steal a one-legged horse. They are looking for a quick turnaround. They are not stealing a camp trailer 'cause they want to go to Yellowstone. They want something they can sell.

After all that work they have a stolen teardrop with no title. Is this naive?

Actually, I think the no-title trailer thing is a bit naïve. There are a lot of people on this board that register their teardrops as utility trailers and there is no VIN on the frame. Pull a plate off another trailer and the thief is good to go. And he can sell it without a title. I sold my old commercially built Hunter teardrop three years ago without a title, just a bill of sale. I'll bet there's a few people on this forum, that have been pulled over while towing, and didn't have the registration for their trailer. And nothing happened.

Throw a white cargo trailer on Craigslist with a price of $500, mention that you can't find the title and that it's cash only. That night you'll be delivering the thing to the nearest Walmart parking lot.

Where do campers get stolen anyway? From the campsites? It seems more likely they would get stolen from storage.

I think you're absolutely right. Or at least I don't think they get stolen at campsites (not the kind you find out in the woods). They get stolen the same place cars get stolen. From the street.

I'm not too worried about my teardrop getting stolen. We camp in the sticks. If we're going to be away from our 'drop for a while, I'll throw the coupler lock on it. Our "yard" is out of town and watched over by the neighbors with a one-way-in and out road.

Tony