Theft proof

[Heleneh]

My sister had her TT stolen from her yard. It had a hitch lock on it which the person cut off, drove it off property dragging the jack until they got to the street and then cranked it up.
My question to you all is this: I’m planning on putting my 32’ travel trailer in my yard shortly as I’ll be done using it for a while - what is the best locking mechanism for the hitch and/or wheels? I will be putting at least 2 of the 3 slides out as a deterrent.

[Chuck_S]

I’m planning on putting my RV in my yard shortly

What's an "RV?" 38' motorhome? 12' popup?

-- Chuck

[rockfordroo]

There are a number of threads on this subject if you do a search.

But bottom line is: If they want it bad enough, they'll take it. Even if only towing by the safety chains.

[cfo111]

Best plan is jack it up put it on blocks and remove tires. Then they will have to bring the right tires and rims before they make off with it.

[sugarray40]

I use the Mega Hitch Lock and then lock the chains around the jack with the biggest pad lock I can get through the links. I use this for my equipment trailer and did this with my TT before I sold it.

While I feel this is the best I can do, as has been said, if they really want it, they'll take it.

[TitanMike]

Put a couple of these on wheels:




About the same as the infamous "boots" that many cities put on cars they find that have numerous unpaid parking tickets.

Can't move, can't get to lug nuts to remove/change wheels.

About $65 (ea) on Amazon. A 2-Pack is $99.95

[CincyGus]

Obvious Layers of protection is what I suggest if your worried about something being stolen. Chains through each of the tires with padlocks. Ball lock in the tongue. Safety Chains locked around the jack so they can't be used to pull it off without cutting the lock first.

You can't make it Theft Proof. But the more difficult it looks to steal, the less likely they will instead of moving on to something easier. Most Crooks are lazy and look for easy opportunities, not hard ones. The KEY is they have to be able to see that it would be a pain in the rear to even try to takes yours.

[Oldbears]

Originally Posted by CincyGus

Safety Chains locked around the jack so they can't be used to pull it off without cutting the lock first.

Thank you for sharing this idea. In all my years I've never thought of that....

A few years ago our small travel trailer was stolen from our driveway. I had a massive U-bolt lock in the hitch, along with a locking hitch pin. There was zero evidence of the locks being cut or torched, so we think someone either just wrapped the safety chains around their hitch, or pulled the whole thing up on a flatbed.

[MR.M]

Originally Posted by Chuck_S

What's an "RV?" 38' motorhome? 12' popup?

-- Chuck

According to the OP's post it's a 32' travel trailer .

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by CincyGus

Obvious Layers of protection is what I suggest if your worried about something being stolen. Chains through each of the tires with padlocks. Ball lock in the tongue. Safety Chains locked around the jack so they can't be used to pull it off without cutting the lock first.

You can't make it Theft Proof. But the more difficult it looks to steal, the less likely they will instead of moving on to something easier. Most Crooks are lazy and look for easy opportunities, not hard ones. The KEY is they have to be able to see that it would be a pain in the rear to even try to takes yours.

As long as it doesn't make it a major pain in YOUR rear when you want to use it. Even though you have the keys, unraveling a bunch of chain may not be exactly what is on your mind when getting ready to go camping.

[Heleneh]

I went ahead and changed it on the post. It is a 32’ travel trailer, Forest River Wildwood 32BHI

[Blank]

We simply use a 10 foot length of the hardened security cable, run thru both wheels and padlocked. Works on our flatbeds and TT. Haven't thought about it for the new motor home, but don't anticipate a problem there.

[upflying]

Public works crews remove a wheel from equipment trailers to deter theft.
Notice I used the word, "deter".

[latner]

I keep good insurance on it, don't keep anything stored on it that is worth anything and don't worry about it.

[SecretSquirrel]

Look up anti theft boots on Amazon. Get the one that covers the lug nuts if your concerned about them removing that wheel. Only need one. That should be more than enough deterrent to stop anyone. You get what you pay for with items like this so don’t go cheap.

[Cowracer]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

There are a number of threads on this subject if you do a search.

But bottom line is: If they want it bad enough, they'll take it. Even if only towing by the safety chains.

Exactly. There is no "prevent". Only "deter". Alarms, locks, chains, pitbulls... its simply a question of how much motivation the criminal has. My advice... Insure heavily, and relax.

Tim

[joeuncool]

Originally Posted by Heleneh

My sister had her TT stolen from her yard. It had a hitch lock on it which the person cut off, drove it off property dragging the jack until they got to the street and then cranked it up.
My question to you all is this: I’m planning on putting my 32’ travel trailer in my yard shortly as I’ll be done using it for a while - what is the best locking mechanism for the hitch and/or wheels? I will be putting at least 2 of the 3 slides out as a deterrent.

Expensive yes, but why spend thousands or tens of thousands on a trailer and then protect it with a $30 lock?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMu_GnNnnBE

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by joeuncool

Expensive yes, but why spend thousands or tens of thousands on a trailer and then protect it with a $30 lock?

I'm guessing my CAR has a $30 lock.

[Oaklevel]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

I'm guessing my CAR has a $30 lock.

Actually probably a $5 lock

[Oaklevel]

Originally Posted by joeuncool

Expensive yes, but why spend thousands or tens of thousands on a trailer and then protect it with a $30 lock?

A professional thief or actually an amateur would have that trailer gone with them in less than 2 minutes..................... this lock would only slow them down a little.