Trailer Security

[N80]

This is an add-on to my recent post about trailer storage. I'll be leaving my trailer in my tractor shed down on my property about an hour from home. In 10 years or so we have never had a theft because we are way off the highway in the middle of nowhere, but there have been major thefts from one of the farms about 2 miles down the road. And the trailer sits right next to my tractor which would make stealing both rather easy.

I will also be dropping my trailer in un-secured areas at racetracks for short periods of time.

So I need to be able to secure it. The tongue jack comes off so it can be locked away while the trailer is hitched. There are hasps to lock the pull out ramps. I'll have to get a spare tire lock. Was disappointed that the spare tire carrier did not have a 'stud' welded on with a hole for a pad lock.

The bigger issue is securing the whole trailer. I've seen wheel locks like the boots the parking cops put on cars. I've seen the locks that fit in the hitch ball mount.

Right now, I have a padlock through the latch that locks the hitch onto the ball. Is there any reason that this wouldn't work just as well as one of the locks that fits in the ball mount. I currently have it locked in the closed position so it cannot go onto a 2 5/16 inch ball. I guess someone might be able to get a smaller ball in there but they would not be able to lock it down.

I would also think a padlocked chain through the spokes of both wheels would prevent theft as well.

Is there anything I'm missing with my homebrewed security measures?

Of course none of this would stop a determined crook with bolt cutters, etc.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Of course none of this would stop a determined crook with bolt cutters, etc.

How much time do you want to spend un-securing your trailer when you need it? I saw a really neat trailer lock for a GN that replaced the entire coupler and you couldn't insert a new one into the tub without some serious torch work. I think the steps you have outlined would do well. Short of maybe taking the tires and wheels with you.

 

[BKBoiss]

You know the saying, "out of sight out of mind". Is there any way you can hide this stuff in the bush or something like that. If you leave an old wreck of some sort in plain sight and hide the good stuff my theory is the "majority" of thieves will take a quick look and not see anything valuable and move on to your neighbour. I have a homemade gooseneck so I just take the kingpin out of the neck when I leave it. It would take an awful lot of work for someone to rig one up that would fit.

 

[BKBoiss]

One other option I see all the contractors around here do is they park their equipment be it a skid steer a zoom boom or excavator in front of the hitch or doors if it's a tool trailer. If you park your tractor in front of it and set the loader on top of the hitch it will make it a little harder to steal.

 

[bcp]

Right now, I have a padlock through the latch that locks the hitch onto the ball. Is there any reason that this wouldn't work just as well as one of the locks that fits in the ball mount. I currently have it locked in the closed position so it cannot go onto a 2 5/16 inch ball. I guess someone might be able to get a smaller ball in there but they would not be able to lock it down.

To keep someone from dropping a locked coupler onto a smaller ball, get an old ball of the correct size, cut off the stem, and put it in the coupler socket before you lock the latch.

Bruce

 

[Diamondpilot]

Chain through the tires works.

Chris

 

[bcp]

Out of sight, in an awkward position, locked, insured.

Bruce

 

[FatTire]

Doesn't prevent a theft, but a trail cam might help catch someone if you have a decent mounting spot.

 

[N80]

Out of sight, in an awkward position, locked, insured.

Bruce

It is insured through my cabin homeowner's policy.

It is a quarter mile off the road, which is a small country road, so it is out of sight.

Unfortunately there is no way to position it awkwardly in the tractor shed.

 

[N80]

To keep someone from dropping a locked coupler onto a smaller ball, get an old ball of the correct size, cut off the stem, and put it in the coupler socket before you lock the latch.

Bruce

Good idea. I think I actually have an old one with buggered up threads which would work great.

 

[Snowback]

I use these - seem to work well. Amazon.com: Trimax UMAX5 Premium Universal 'Solid Hardened Steel' Trailer Lock (fits all couplers): Automotive

I don't think regular bolt cutters could break it, but maybe a torch... Better than nothing. I suppose they could still wrap chains around or something. Perhaps you could add the wheel chains or wheel lock too?

Most trailer thefts are probably opportunistic. Back up - drop receiver and roll out. This would take some tinkering to defeat I think...

 

[N80]

I have considered one of these. There is another company that makes a similar product that is painted yellow. They cost a lot less but when I looked at one it felt light and cheap and I think could be knocked apart with a hammer. The one you have looks much more substantial.

Probably the main reason I'm leaning away from it is that I already have a key problem. Too many keys, scattered in too many places and never where I (or someone else) need them. If I can pad lock an old ball in the hitch as mentioned above, padlock a chain through the wheels and padlock the ramps I still have a lot of locks but they will all be keyed the same.

I agree with most thefts being opportunistic but the thefts from the farm down the road (my brother-in-law's) was a planned job. His barn lot is about half a mile from his house and it is right on the road. They came in the middle of the night with their own large trailer. Stole 4 wheelers, chainsaws and all his saddles. The police said they could almost trace a pattern across several states of similar thefts. I am far less susceptible to that sort of thing. As mentioned, my place is well off the road in the woods, the driveway is a dirt/gravel road (in need of work) and there is just an old farm gate. However, there is a power line going in which might tip someone off.

As far as off the place, I drive my 350z around different regional race tracks. The car is no prize so not a big target but among the racers, etc we get reports of serious rigs and trailers getting stolen fairly often.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Just remember no matter what you buy it only keeps a honest person from taking it. No matter what you buy or do I or any of us could defeat it with a lithium ion powered cutoff wheel or sawzall in 30 seconds.

Chris

 

[PILOON]

Quote
"I have considered one of these. There is another company that makes a similar product that is painted yellow. They cost a lot less but when I looked at one it felt light and cheap and I think could be knocked apart with a hammer. The one you have looks much more substantial."

Check the yellow ones carefully as I found that every one I have seen all use the same key, otherwise sturdy enough to prevent 'impulse theft'

 

[4570Man]

A cordless grinder will defeat any reasonable security measures in seconds. I don't waste my time trying to lock it up and unlock it every time I use it. I pay insurance on the trailer and tractor for a reason.

 

[4570Man]

I use these - seem to work well. Amazon.com: Trimax UMAX5 Premium Universal 'Solid Hardened Steel' Trailer Lock (fits all couplers): Automotive I don't think regular bolt cutters could break it, but maybe a torch... Better than nothing. I suppose they could still wrap chains around or something. Perhaps you could add the wheel chains or wheel lock too? Most trailer thefts are probably opportunistic. Back up - drop receiver and roll out. This would take some tinkering to defeat I think... <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=466402"/>

Bolt cutters won't cut it, but a cordless grinder will make quick work of one. A torch will silently make quick work of one.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I will never forget my old boss that got me into the security business. He said that security always represents varying degrees of inconvenience. Hardening a target in numerous ways can help prevent theft. Often doing something unconventional or creative works best. Not a store bought approach which thieves may have considered.

How about a gelled 12 volt battery connected to a mercury switch that activates the brakes when moved. Pretty sure they wouldn't have come accross that before. In fact, I would pay money to watch that attempted theft scenereo unfold.

 

[JJZ 109]

I think the steps you have outlined would do well. Short of maybe taking the tires and wheels with you.

I actually do this when I go on vacation every spring. Because my business trailer will sit in my unattended driveway for a couple of weeks while I'm gone. I remove both tires from one side of the trailer. It serves 2 purposes. Obviously makes it harder to steal. And the wheels are the same size as my motorcycle hauler. So that means I take 2 spares with me.
Of course, this doesn't help the OP as it would be a major inconvenience if his trailer is moved often.

 

[joefromga]

A quick release trailer tongue would be ideal for security. Can't tow it if there's nothing to hook to.

I think most trailer thieves are opportunistic. They'll move on if it's too much work.

 

[GLyford]

One of the most common tools I have heard of for taking cars, trailers, and general scrap that is "just lying around" is a roll-back wrecker. They don't need it to roll, even have axles or wheels, or be able to hitch up. These guys already have a market channel all set up for where the valuables and scrap can be sorted out for the most return for their buck. They have a recovery winch so to fetch something way off the pavement isn't necessarily a big inconvenience for them either. I think the biggest thing in your favor right now is the drop in the price of scrap. So if someone really wants it, they can have it and be gone in a blink. And no-one will think anything about it...after all, if someone is going to get rid of a "broken" trailer with no wheels (because they're all chained up in the shed), who would they call?

The tire and hitch locks at least keep down the casual spur-of-the-moment types. You don't have a chance against the real dedicated guys, so make a reasonable best effort and carry insurance, and call it good. I do think "out of sight, out of mind" is a good strategy, but enough of these guys have an "eye" for piles and outbuildings that I wouldn't rely on just that.