Hitch locks ... your opinions please

[AndrewH]

I've been thinking (I know ... dangerous business ) about how to secure the hitch end of a trailer. It strikes me that hitch locks fall into two categories: those which are integral to the hitch, and those with aren't (images of each below).

As I see it there are pros and cons with each type
Integral
----------
Pro: Compact, can be used to lock trailer onto vehicle
Con: Is security as good as External devices, Less visible

External
------------
Pro: Very visible, security can be validated (e.g. by sold secure)
Con: Seem to only be for use when de-coupled from vehicle

So the questions are ...
Are there any other benefits/disadvantages that I've missed AND Which do you guys prefer?

Cheers

Andrew

[Polwart]

can you "just" unbolt the hitch and bolt on a new hitch with both versions? With the lock to the car option you can, in theory at least, unbolt the tow hook from the car, and bolt it back on to another vehicle.

is less visible a negative? I can see that having some visible security is a good deterant for the passing opportunist, but if someone has been eyeing your boat up then subtelty may just help foil their attempts when they come to nick it.

[TonyC]

Our new Trailer had a Bradley hitch on it, and all we needed to get was a lock that fitted into the hole that was built in to it.

The bonus to this is you can either just lock it so that the hitch won't open (and thus can't be towed) or you can actually lock it onto your towhitch so it can;t be uncoupled.

The downside as you say is that it's not a visible means of deterence, but we've got a wheel clamp for that.

[Hightower]

From what I hear the professional theif will detatch your tow hitch from the trailer by any means to his disposal be it angle grinder, bolt cropper, drill or gas axe and just chain the rest of the trailer to a vehical to tow away without the need for a hitch. I would think that several security measures need to be taken ie: Wheel clamp, hitch lock and chained to an imovable object (not possible at the slip). High visibility will visibly deter a theif from a distance, and might make him go for easier pickings else where.

I have the Bradley hitch too with barrel that slides into the casting, I understand this can be easily drilled out though. Might I suggest looking at the Bulldog mini hitch lock, this can be fitted to certain types of hitch whilst the trailer is attached to the car (needs to be removed whilst towing). Beware that it doesn't fit all hitches though.

[Chris]

I think the best integral hitchlock is the Indespension triple lock. It has a tongue and ball that fold up into the cup of the tow hitch when locked

THe bradley is not too bad but I have heard that people get a standard tow ball then turn it down a few mm so that it fits in past the locked pin and then they get just chain it down to the tow hitch so it wont lift off.

[Bigmuz7]

I am currently investigating/using this one

http://www.graystonengineering.com/a...esmenupage.htm

go to accessories and scroll down till you see the one in the red packet

I dont like the fact that two grub 'studs' get pushed into your hitch head though,.. but it works !

[al40]

Having just been in the situation of using a bradley type barrel lock and my daughter loosing the keys, 2 mins with a spanner and I had the whole assembly removed (towball from car and hitch from trailer) - 4 bolts!

Speaking to my trailer manufacturer, the bradley locks are apparently quite hard to drill as they have a small ballbearing in the centre of the lock mechanism. I was about to attempt this when I found the keys (dropped down between car seat and centre console bit)

I always use a wheel clamp when the boat is parked but when towing, the hitch lock prevents any casual removal of the trailer if I'm away from the rig for a few minutes.

[Daniel]

when my boat was stolen recently it had a hitch lock (slide over the hitch type) and a wheel clamp fitted. no sign of either post theft, insurance man said this is usual they remove all evidence and take it with them.

i can only assume they changed the wheel and the hitch on site, which must have taken a good half hour i would imagine before towing it away. considering this happened from a friends front drive, i am stunned (and waiting for a cheque!!)

so my advise, is get something that prevents this. my new wheel clamp will be the type that covers the wheel bots not just a C shaped clamp, and i will be looking for a hitch cover than covers the hitch mounting bolts.

PS: it was not the rib that was stolen... thats a seperate story, and in any case they just cut the outboard off the transom of that one...

[bedajim]

Originally Posted by Daniel

i will be looking for a hitch cover than covers the hitch mounting bolts.

I'm sure the small print on my insurance says something about the hitch bolts being covered with part of the hitch lock

[Daniel]

rest assured i have read all the small print, i'm 99.9% sure i'm covered.