Trailer Security.. Locks etc..

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wipe_out

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Hi,

Will be getting the new new boat in a couple of weeks and was just thinking about securing the trailer when it's in the driveway.. Had a quick look on eBay and there are loads of hitch locks and wheel clamps.. Looking on YouTube I found a video of a guy disabling most hitch locks in no time at all..

Trailer is an SBS trailer is that makes any difference..

Anyone got any recommendations on hitch locks or wheel clamps that actually provide a reasonable level of security? Or is there some other way around it that is better?

Thanks
 
Last edited:
Iii
wipe_out said:
Hi,

Will be getting the new new boat in a couple of weeks and was just thinking about securing the trailer when it's in the driveway.. Had a quick look on eBay and there are loads of hitch locks and wheel clamps.. Looking on YouTube I found a video of a guy disabling most hitch locks in no time at all..

Trailer is an SBS trailer is that makes any difference..

Anyone got any recommendations on hitch locks or wheel clamps that actually provide a reasonable level of security? Or is there some other way around it that is better?

Thanks
Click to expand...

I guess the ultimate deterrent is leaving off a couple of wheels and sit it on jack stands or blocks if the boat is going to be stored for a long period of time, over winter etc., but I'm sure the average thief will soon loose interest once they see a decent hitch lock system.
You do need to be vigilant with trailer security, both at home and when the vehicle and trailer are left at launching facilities for a number of days, which is probably the place where issues may arise. Lock the trailer to the vehicle and don't leave the winch handle outside, lock it in the car.
 
To be honest I think that locks will only deter the opportunist thief, anyone who really wants the boat/trailer will take it with ease no matter what locks are fitted. A friends caravan was stolen with a wheel lock, hitch lock and legs down by simply dragging it away. They hooked it to the back of a 4x4 and dragged it down the road. The legs broke off and the wheel lock fell off after about 200 metres. I guess they then sorted the hitchlock at their leisure.

You need to fit locks for the insurance so a hitchlock and wheel lock are needed but to me that's all they do, deter opportunists and make sure the insurance is happy.
 
Hmmm.. Thanks for the thoughts..

Initially I thought about taking wheels off but it's no big deal for a thief to go and spend a few quid on some wheels (or steal them) with the prospect of scoring the value of the boat on the trailer.. Even just the trailer is valuable enough to go through the effort..

Most of the hitch and wheel locks are pretty weak.. Even just looking at them online most could be beaten in minutes with a hammer or battery operated power tool.. As you say @mlines its probably just a deterrent for an opportunist but not for a serious thief..

Guess I'll just put the best "looking" locks in place and maybe setup a motion detection camera so if the attempt is made while they are hammering away I will be getting photos of them which might help catch them if they get away with anything..
 
Check with your insurance company if they have anything specific. Probably not, but if you have met their requirements, then at least you are insured.
 
I always go with a combination of things. Hitchlock, wheelclamp on one or two wheels and maybe take a wheel off as well. You could also get yourself a ground anchor and chain it to that too. Ultimately of someone wants it, it will be taken regardless of what you do to stop them. Most precautions will only deter the opportunist, not someone who has specifically targeted your boat. Buy 'Sold Secure' kit rated with the highest standard but most importantly, ensure that you comply with your insurance companies requirements to the very last letter.
 
Things that are easy to move are a constant worry, even when "moored" in a marina they still disappear. Try to make it as awkward as possible for the scum bags
 
wipe_out said:
Hmmm.. Thanks for the thoughts..

Initially I thought about taking wheels off but it's no big deal for a thief to go and spend a few quid on some wheels (or steal them) with the prospect of scoring the value of the boat on the trailer.. Even just the trailer is valuable enough to go through the effort....
Click to expand...

Not sure about the UK, but here it's not that simple. The thief would have to know the correct stud pattern exactly (mostly owners themselves don't even know) as the major trailer manufacturers use either Ford or GMH five stud hubs which are half-a-hole different or six stud Landcruiser.
If you covered the wheel-less hub from sight, they wouldn't know what to get, unless they came into the yard and physically disturbed the covers, risking getting seen. It would be too much trouble for them.
 
all wheels off cover the hubs,take the hitch off,and place motion sensor lamps in the area,the last thing they want are lights coming on,forget the camera the plod wont investigate anyway
 
I've used bulldog's big wheel locks in the past, they are very heavy, and look substantial - you'd make a hell of a noise breaking through it.

Best thing is keep the boat in earshot of the house.

Other thing is to fit a cheap GPRS tracker to it - They don't cost too much compared to the ability to (hopefully) track the boat as it's being taken away....

I've used this one :- http://www.bulldog-security-products.co.uk/view/bulldog-230f-titan-wheel-clamp/107 and I wouldn't fancy trying to get it off if I lost the key

Also seen these - never used one, but for £30 nothing to lose I don't think - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Realtime-Tracker-System-Vehicle-TK103A/dp/B009ZCCZV6
 
Years ago I used to have a lodger with a motorbike. He had a chain and some kind of brake-disk lock on it, but it got nicked nevertheless, probably by lifting it bodily into a van. I guess the equivalent would be either dragging a trailer away down the road regardless of locks, or winching it onto a flatbed truck or trailer.

He recovered the bike via a GPS tracker (good advert for fitting one of those) - the thieves know it's a possibility, so they leave the bikes hidden somewhere for a few days. If it doesn't get recovered in that time, they know there's no tracker. If it does, they don't get caught but at least you get the bike/boat back.

After that, we took up a square metre of block paving from the drive, dug a metre deep hole, and cast a square-metre block of concrete in place with a loop of hardened chain running through it. Put all the blocks back on top except for one for the chain to poke through, and he locked the bike to that.

Incidentally, no harm in getting Sold Secure stuff, especially if it makes your insurance happy, but it's not necessarily all it's cracked up to be. A work colleague lost his pushbike keys and asked for help; I brought in the bolt croppers we carry on the boat (standard thing on sailyboats, to cut the wreckage away if the mast should fall down). He reckoned that they wouldn't work because of the Sold Secure logo on his chunky cable lock; in fact even I was amazed how easily the cutters went through it, hardly felt any resistance at all.

Pete
 
I used to buy and sell Ivor Williams Horse Trailers which are very collectable to the travelling fraternity and I would use a Bulldog Titan Wheel Clamp, Remove another wheel, and if it was there for a bit you can unbolt the towing clamp from the front. (I would then put a black plastic bag over the end so if a thief turned up he would assume that the clamp was there but covered over)
I also found with the Titan Wheel Clamp that its helpful to practice removing it and refitting it.
 
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