Securing your trailer

[Java Jack]

That is true and what I stated in the blog post. No lock is full proof. If someone wants it bad enough, they will find a way.

But that does not mean you just give up and don't take any steps to protect your trailer. If you can make it difficult enough for the average thug, it can deter them enough to go find an easier target. So, the point is to find a good locking solution that will make it difficult enough that they move on. If it requires loud power tools to get past the lock or a big flatbed and winch, well many thieves will prefer to move on that risk standing out of the crowd.

A large portion of thefts are ones that can be done quickly and quietly without attracting a lot of attention. If they can't steal in within a couple of minutes, many will just move on.

[Java Jack]

Part II of the blog series is now posted.

http://cre8tiveapps.blogspot.com/2015/10/stop-crime-before-it-starts-securing-my.html

I talk about the wheel lock I chose in this one.

It is also in the current Cool Tears Magazine issue as well.

[lrrowe]

Thanks Jay for sharing your research and thoughts on this topic. Every time someone shares their experiences like this can only help others in making up their minds.

On a different slant, what if you could afford to run a very high quality and tough chain thru a wheel spoke, around the axle and then in the tongue lock like you are using? Put the chain in the lock instead of the safety chain. Just another thought.

[Java Jack]

Yep. That would not work for me though as I have baby moon wheels so no spoke to feed a chain through.

[Talia62]

As well as use a coupler-lock and a wheel boot, I am inclined to include a hidden GPS tracker somewhere in my trailer. There are relatively inexpensive ones that will directly message your phone if they leave a set area and send location updates every 60 seconds, and which you can track live online. Since my (eventual) build is going to be a small portable jewelry workshop, I will have a vested interest in not only protecting my build, but all my hand tools, too. Prevention is good, but if it fails then having some sort of recovery technology in place is also good.

[Redneck Teepee]

I am inclined to include a hidden GPS tracker somewhere in my trailer.

About 5 or so years ago a local contractor/handyman had his trailer full of tools stolen when he was not home, luckily for him he had purchased and installed a GPS locater system. The Sheriff found it just down the road at the neighbors secluded property, seems the neighbors drug addict/longtime criminal record son had stolen it, or at least he was arrested for it.

As long as you have power to it they work, never checked into them to see if they have a backup or aux. power system in case they disconnect the main battery.
Worth checking out if you want one though.

[Talia62]

There are quite a few that have their own lithium battery, which iirc keeps charged by being hooked into the 12v system. Even if the 12v system battery is removed, they have their own power. Others need to be hooked into a battery system of some sort. You'd just need to make sure you buy the one that fits your needs the best. Many of them are small enough to be concealed quite well, even within your wall if you like, though if I did that I'd have it retrievable somehow without having to cut a hole to do it.

[halfdome, Danny]

iirc

I thought is was a misspelled word or a brand name until I looked it up.

iirc = "If I Remember Correctly"
Guess I'm not up with internet slang.

Can you give some examples (names) of these GPS trackers you speak of ?

I ordered this coupler lock to see how it will work out for me.
Danny

[Talia62]

Lots of options. This is just from Amazon, but you can do a Google search for "gps tracking device" and find others.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=gps+tracking+device

[makevx73]

Another in the department of "It-may-not-stop-them-completely-but..."

Most trailers have stabilizers on them and we'd have them down while in camp. By drilling a series of holes along the length on one or two of them, probably the rear ones, you could put a lock through it and make it so it couldn't be raised while the lock was installed. The holes shouldn't compromise the strength of the stabilizer much since most of our trailers aren't heavy-weights. You could work out a series of holes on most any kind of stabilizer style... the holes wouldn't need to match the exact length each time they are set, but just keep it from being raised very far.

It won't stop a thief but added to several other steps mentioned here: hitch locks, wheel locks, tire removed, etc. it adds a bit more "ass-pain" for a thief to deal with.

Hard to pull a trailer down the road with the stabilizers down?

[booyah]

Hard to pull a trailer down the road with the stabilizers down?

Only if you care about not damaging it.

Like I stated before, crooks usually just break stuff to take it. Break the steering lock on a motorcycle, force the ignition with a screw driver etc.

I know there was at least one report locally of someone driving off with a large camper with a wheel lock still installed. the person taking it didnt really care, its not like they paid for it...

[halfdome, Danny]

Like the old saying goes..."Drive it like you stole it".
Thieves just don't care, especially if their a tweaker.
Danny

[Roly Nelson]

If someone wants to steal my 1/2 Nelson Woody, they'll be surprised to find, that my removable tongue is hidden somewhere, or bring along an exact duplicate slide-in tongue, complete with matching bolt-on holes and the correct size ball mount. Good luck thieves, better luck next time. However, I suppose a forklift and a flatbed trailer might do the dirty deed, if they are so inclined.
Roly, the SoCalif woody guy

[rebapuck]

I'm looking into this GPS tracker because it's a one time purchase. I'm not interested in a monthly fee. They are working on a rechargeable unit.

www.itraqtag.com

[tony.latham]

I'm looking into this GPS tracker because it's a one time purchase. I'm not interested in a monthly fee. They are working on a rechargeable unit.

http://www.itraqtag.com

I'm very interested in these but will be curious as to how they shake out. I think the first ones ship next month, so none have hit the ground so to speak. They do not use the Global Positioning System for location, they use GSM cell towers to triangulate. (I have one weak GSM in view of my house so it couldn't triangulate where my trailer is sitting right now but would give an approximate location and probably enough to do some serious cruising to find it ––assuming it's viewable.)

What I don't understand is how it transmits its location. It almost has to be transmitting using cellular data but I can't find this out for sure. And if so, why isn't there a monthly or annual fee? I'd guess iTraq is paying for that service?

One article I've read on these is that you could throw one in your glove box and track your car. But is that really true inside a steel box? I've got an expensive bike and this'd be great theft insurance since the device could be attached under the seat.

I'm going to sit back on the bleachers and see how this thing shakes. It's damn promising.

Tony