Wheel clamp ! OR Hitch lock ?

jetski · 21 May 2009, 21:47

Ok now I have got my rib whats everbodys thoughts on Wheel Clamp v Hitch lock

I would like to keep hold of my money pit (sorry my Rib) so which is the most effective way of keeping it safe ?

chewy · 21 May 2009, 22:42

I've fitted both to mine. More as a deterrent than anything, if someone wants it they're going to take it.

Nos4r2 · 21 May 2009, 22:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetski

Ok now I have got my rib whats everbodys thoughts on Wheel Clamp v Hitch lock

I would like to keep hold of my money pit (sorry my Rib) so which is the most effective way of keeping it safe ?

Both.

You'll probably find your insurance company stipulates both anyway-usually of an approved standard such as 'Sold Secure' .

http://www.soldsecure.com/

Nasher · 21 May 2009, 22:42

I use both, which includes wheel clamps on 2 of the 4 wheels, both on the same side.

You'll probably find your insurance company insist on a wheel clamp anyway.

Nasher

Nasher · 21 May 2009, 22:43

Who's got the fastest fingers

Leapy · 22 May 2009, 04:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetski

I would like to keep hold of my money pit (sorry my Rib) so which is the most effective way of keeping it safe ?

Wheelclamp, hitchlock and GPS/GSM tracker

JABS · 22 May 2009, 05:45

Both for sure.

A hitchlock on it's own isn't much help. Most thoieves havd a 'receptor' on their tow bar. The whole hitch including lock fits in! You can see them on the back of AA vans!

When our first rib was stolen it had a hitch lock on each wheel and the video shows that it took the thieves just a few seconds to remove them both.

A tracker certainly gives piece of mind, provided it tells you that the rib has been stolen.

Trim Trac is a good inexpensive option. it works via the GSM network and has GPS built in. You can set a perimeter and it it moves outside that area, it alarms. You can also sit at home and see where te rib is!

Leapy · 22 May 2009, 06:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by JABS

A tracker certainly gives piece of mind, provided it tells you that the rib has been stolen

£70 or so off eBay and no subscription charges. Can be set to alarm when the boat moves or when it's moved out of a pre-determined area or simply lat/long/speed of where it is (plus other stuff)

All programmed through text messages.

See HERE and HERE

My view is that you need good visual deterrents - like a hitchlock and wheel clamp - to deter the opportunist and a tracker to attempt to find the professional

Clearly, the tracker also works if you're moored

JSP · 22 May 2009, 07:22

Mine is right outside the room in which my dog sleeps, she can hear an Ant get heart burn. Also thinking about putting a picture of the wife on the front of the console

Northern Tim · 22 May 2009, 07:40

Mine lives in a locked garage at home, but the rest of the time, it's a hitchlock and wheel clamp for me!

Mollers · 22 May 2009, 07:52

I use a 2m length of massive high tensile chain cable tied into a length of lay-flat hose combined with a Federal level 10 security padlock. I had to grind the two end links down a bit to get them in the padlock. It's a heck of a visual deterrent and probably harder to remove than most clamps.

ollyit · 22 May 2009, 10:10

dont know what you guys think but theres been a few times when I've taken the wheel of my trailer and taken it with me - they not towing anything without any feckin wheels

m chappelow · 22 May 2009, 10:22

i had a very large old bronze propeller 4foot diam bolted to a solid block of yorks stone in my front garden it got nicked last year by a certain breed using a small truck and hiab crane on the back ,

Pete7 · 22 May 2009, 11:51

Might also be worth considering a ground anchor in concrete connected to an axle. Although it is a pain to unlock each time it makes life difficult for pikeys.

Then lots of good quality photos so you can show the insurance company you did make a real effort to secure the rib if it goes walkabout.

Pete

Hightower · 22 May 2009, 12:01

Hitch lock, wheel clamp and a chain to a ground anchor inmedded into my driveway. And every chance I have I park one of my cars in front.

I bet they would still nick it if they really wanted to though.

Olly.......I knew someone that took their wheels off a caravan. The theives brought their own wheels

chewy · 22 May 2009, 12:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

Hitch lock, wheel clamp and a chain to a ground anchor inmedded into my driveway. And every chance I have I park one of my cars in front.

I bet they would still nick it if they really wanted to though.

Olly.......I knew someone that took their wheels off a caravan. The theives brought their own wheels

They probably knicked em off someone else!

PeterM · 22 May 2009, 12:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by JABS

When our first rib was stolen it had a hitch lock on each wheel

Not surprised it was easy to steal - try a clamp next time

Seriously - go for everything you can - generally the bigger the better & the trackers that were discussed on here recently and links posted to seem to be ideal for an after the event bit of recovery . I'm ordering one ( but the wife is now out of a job so no more spending for a while ) .

Pete

GerryP · 22 May 2009, 18:45

What ever you do its a deterent.
If they can break into banks etc they can take the RIB/trailer.
As for me, like every body else, hitchlock, wheel clamp, and security chain and lock.
Plus parking my car in front!
As for your insurance, take phots as evidence, plus some insurers also insist on an outboard lock too.
Again, you get what you pay for but start at £25 ish and can go upto £100 plus..
Again a deterent, as even the most secure engines and boats in this area had parts taken last year.
Don't let it spoil your sleep at night.
As for the picture of somebodies wife as a deterent great idea!!

spartacus · 23 May 2009, 10:01

My boat is garaged, with Yale sensor security alarm. I've also got a wheel clamp and hitchlock fitted.

That said - if someone wants it, and they have the knowledge, tools and most importantly - brass neck to take it, then they will.

cgf10 · 24 May 2009, 08:44

I lost a rib in 2000. It was in a semi secure boatyard (barrier, supposed to be locked at night but they forgot) with both wheels clamped and hitch lock fitted. The CCTV in the boatyard filmed the thieves coming in and then around 13 minutes later leaving with just my trailer (odd) as they'd launched boat and taken this by water (still don't understand this fully). Impressive scumbags.

The CCTV was such poor quality in the boatyard that not only couold they not make out the reg number but the make of car was almost unrecognisable...The insurance assessor agred the pay out but he said my clamps and hitch were of borderline acceptable as they were cheap (me, cheap!) and he reckoned they would have come off only slightly slower with the keys. Camps off with 24v cordless's into the locks and the hitch lock I had at that time was the type you insert up into the the hitch then wind out with an allan key finishing off with a lock. marine police reckoned they would just wack it with a very big sledge and out if would come

I'd slightly under insured and lost 10% as the boat was not in a locked compound, worth reading the nano print.

Learnt the hard way.