I have an open deck Carson trailer with minimal security (AKA padlock on the receiver ). It is parked in an exceedingly safe place, but trailers disappear from just about everywhere. I have looked at the receiver locks (that fill the ball slot and cover the latch) at wheel locks, but I wonder how useful these types of devices really are.

Ideally, a trailer that doesn't roll is the hardest to steal. Disabling the receiver doesn't stop people from chaining it up in the air since it still rolls. However, the wheel locks are damn expensive. I'm looking for something that could protect all four wheels from being stolen and prevent them from rolling at the same time. Unfortunately, the trailer brakes prevent anything from being threaded through the wheel spokes except for a chain or cable (no steel channel or anything like that). I was also thinking about some sort of jacking system installed toward the rear that could be locked in the UP position making it impossible to roll and difficult even to drag. Something like an up-side-down jackstand welded to the bottom of the trailer frame that could be extended and locked. Similar devices are even used on some cars to prevent them from being stolen (even ones with spikes that will dig into pavement). I have access to steel, labor, and welding, so I'm only limited by ideas. Any?

 

Get a wheel lock. Expensive, but effective.

Warren

 

I use three devices:
1. Padlock on reviever latch
2. Wheel lock (looks like a small boot that the parking enforcment people use)
3. Really ugly race car that is NOT a Honda.

The wheel lock wasn't expensive, about $80 IIRC. Probably pretty easy to cut it off with a set of really big snips or a cordless cutting wheel, but better than nothing.

 

Gas powered rotary saw eats through these like butter... noisy, but takes less than a minute.

 

I have an uncle that leaves his house and his cars unlocked. His philosophy is that if they want in, they'll get in. So leaving it unlocked at least saves a broken window.

Its nearly impossible to stop a determined thief. Just make sure your insurance covers it and put a lock on the receiver.

 

I'm sure it does. Really, my biggest security measure is where the trailer is parked. My street is buried in a suburb, so there is no thru traffic. That, and my neighbors have way nicer stuff to steal (boats, Porsches, enclosed trailers, etc).

 

unless there are idiots trying to steal the trailer despite the lock 'cause they didn't see it (despite the fact that it's bright red!)...
Didn't you get a mangled fender like that?

 

Since you have the tools and materials for fabrication. I would recommend making something the equivalent of the "boot". For those not familar, its a device that "Parking *****" use on cars parked illegally for a long period of time.

Hell, they probably sell used ones on Ebay, or check with your local parking ***** and see if one can be purchased.

 

I recall seeing a couple decent wheel locks in the Cabela's catalog...

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...bcategory&rid=

 

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I understand that nothing can prevent a trailer from being stolen, but you can always make it more work/trouble. The wheel locks seem to be a popular idea, so I may bite the bullet and drop some $ on one. The only problem with that idea is that it only protects one wheel with the intent to protect the trailer. I would still like something to keep the wheels themselves from being stolen. What's the latest in bike lock tech? Any cables worth looking at? I was thinking of fabricating something to keep the trailer from rolling, and then attaching all four wheels to the trailer by some type of cable. Thanks again for the ideas..

 

Speaking as someone in the bike industry, bicycle cable locks have come quite a ways since the days of the U-Lock. The new cables just flatten out when you try to cut them with bolt cutters. 10 ft+ cables are available, we use them for rental bikes, some are even longer. You could possibly run a cable through the wheels and loop it back with a beefy padlock underneath the trailer so its hard to see.

 

install a motion detector near the trailer, wired to a buzzer in the house. Keep a 12 guage with 00 buckshot (or your preference of large caliber firearm) near the door. If you hear the buzzer and someone happens to be trying to "jack" your stuff while you're at home ( , but it happens, it happened to me), you can help out civilzation and "thin the herd" a little.

Seriously, I guess since we can't kill the scum without someone wanting to prosecute, I'd suggest the biggest chain you can find, run through the openings in all of the wheels, around the axles, around any large stationary object nearby, and back around the frame. Put as many padlocks on it in as many places as you have the patience to later remove, and a ball-lock on the hitch itself. Sure, someone can cut through all of this stuff, but to free it up they'll have to cut it in so many places that they'll be making a hell'ova racket for a good enough time that someone might hear 'em. Hopefully with enough discouragement (too much effort) they'll move on to an easier target.

Even better, just shoot 'em dead and plant a cheap pistol on their corpse.

Thieves can rot in hell.

 

If you want to use a chain, get the hardened type used by truckers. Otherwise, a bolt cutter will cut right thru it. Unfortunately, a battery powered recip saws will eat all that stuff without making too much noise.

IMO, a 'boot' will be the most secure.

 

if you don't plan on moving it for quite some time........what about just puttin dat sunnuva bitch on jackstands??

 

I have considered that, but it usually sits on uneven ground and has the car on top of it most of the time.

1gTeg90,

I feel your pain. However, I'm already asking a lot of my friends just to store the trailer for me. Asking them to kill for me might cross some line.

I guess I'll see what I can find in the way of a boot and I'll hit my local bike shops in search of the newest cables. I only move the trailer twice a month at best and lately not at all. I don't mind the extra time. Thanks again for the ideas.

 

I kinda like Richard's idea, but as a first line of defense , I' d train a Pit Bull to look all sweet and docile til the perp gets close enough... Keep him chained to the tongue and keep him real hungry..
Oh, yeah, and don't pull a Griswold...remember to untie him before you take off...
Wildman

 

Travis,
Just thought (was reminded) of this. I was visiting the bicycle shop that I used to work @. Kryptonite has a hardened chain they sell with a very small 'New York' u-lock that just secures the chain. The chain links have flat sides which makes it slide out of bolt cutters. IIRC, you should be able to get one long enough to go thru a pair of wheels.

 

Yeah the new york lock is BEEFY!

Most shops will have to order you a long enough cable, but tell them to look in the J&B catalog(one of the main bike shop supplier for accessories) and you will find a good selection.

 

check this out.

http://etrailerpart.com/alphalock.htm

 

See, I have this terrible memory thing that I have to deal with. People make fun of me because I have this routine I go through with the car before every track session. They think I'm ****, but the truth is that if I don't go through the routine I'll forget something.
I inherited this from my dad. My brother got the gray hair and the bald spot, so it's a toss-up.

My point is that a wheel lock or chains would never work for me because I'd be constantly trying to take off with them still attached, tearing up god-knows-what.
I'll just stick with the good old latch lock and hope for the best.

Scott, who has a label that says simply "Hood Pins" on his instrument cluster.