A cautionary tale!

[Steve509926]

Off to Ullswater to test my new sib and I have stupidly left the key to the trailer hitch lock in the caravan which is in storage.

Sod it, I'll cut off!

20 seconds later, with a blunt blade. Not much of a deterrent.

Any suggestions for a better hitch lock?

[Peter_C]

Removable hitch. Doesn't look like there is any trailer braking so easy enough. Another option is the wheel locks like they use for parking tickets in places such as New York City. They are very hard to remove.

Trackers are always a good thing too.

[Fenlander]

Of course we all know that, particularly with the advent of cordless angle grinders, the "boys" can fairly quickly remove pretty well any anti-theft device. As you've found a hacksaw is surprisingly effective, as is a 6ft steel bar with a pointy end. All you are doing really is satisfying insurance requirements.

When we had a valuable trailer stolen a few years back, which had a very good hitch lock, the police guy commented they don't care about any form of hitch lock as its easy to chain the trailer hitch to the vehicle for the initial getaway without any wasted time trying to fight the lock. Then they can remove the lock in some more private location than your drive.

After that I went for a wheel lock or wheel removal as that forces them to spend a bit more time on your drive to get going.

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Of course we all know that, particularly with the advent of cordless angle grinders, the "boys" can fairly quickly remove pretty well any anti-theft device. As you've found a hacksaw is surprisingly effective, as is a 6ft steel bar with a pointy end. All you are doing really is satisfying insurance requirements.

When we had a valuable trailer stolen a few years back, which had a very good hitch lock, the police guy commented they don't care about any form of hitch lock as its easy to chain the trailer hitch to the vehicle for the initial getaway without any wasted time trying to fight the lock. Then they can remove the lock in some more private location than your drive.

After that I went for a wheel lock or wheel removal as that forces them to spend a bit more time on your drive to get going.

I think a couple of wheel locks will be fitted from now on.

[Peter_C]

Should only need one wheel lock. The important part is that it covers the lug nuts so they can't get the wheel off and put your own spare on. I am sure a good quality wheel lock is NOT cheap. Get the same one the police use, as it is proven to work or they would switch.


Since the trailer tongue is not galvanized I would make the tongue removable. Kinda hard to steal something without chains and a hitch. Plus it will store in a more confined space. Very cheap and simple to buy an inner sleeve, a couple bolts, and a hitch pin. Probably could even reuse the bolts currently holding the ball hitch on. Feel free to use said dull hacksaw to cut the end of the tongue off. I'd use a bandsaw, but an angle grinder will get it done too.

[Steve509926]

I like the removable hitch idea Peter

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

All you are doing really is satisfying insurance requirements.

This ^^
+ making it slightly less attractive than the next one which has no protection
+ stopping someone normally law-abiding "borrowing" it for a laugh

Originally Posted by Peter_C

. I am sure a good quality wheel lock is NOT cheap. Get the same one the police use, as it is proven to work or they would switch.

probably won't stop anyone who really wants it - they'll just bring a Hiab!

[Matt]

Originally Posted by Poly

This ^^
probably won't stop anyone who really wants it - they'll just bring a Hiab!

I view most stuff as a deterrent rather than actual prevention.