Security on a trailer, to tow vehicle

[2stroke1971]

I store my boat on my tow vehicle so to speak, thats where it stays. What ideas do some of you have as far as locking the boat to the vehicle?

Ive got the receiver lock, and the lock on the hitch.

Ive got a square utility lock thru one of the trailer wheels.

The boats nothing special, but I live in a high crime area. I mean bad. What else can I do? I thought about one of those "boots" for the trailer...they are a bit expensive, although Ive seem them on fleabay for under $100.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Security on a trailer, to tow vehicle

Depending on the truck maybe a hidden ignition or starter cut switch.

 

[Seadoomanls]

Re: Security on a trailer, to tow vehicle

Maybe take a tire off the trailer?

Its tough to say. My dad too locked his hitch to his truck, then the trailer locked on the ball. He bet me $50 I couldnt steal the trailer in a couple minutes.

Used a cordless Sawzall with a fine metal blade and cut through the base of the ball in less than 2 minutes!

What I am getting at is you are gonna drive yourself nuts with security. Just make it as inconvienent as possible for the thiefs (i.e. motion lights, missing tire, blocked in by another vehicle, etc.)

Also, for $300 or so you can put my a GPS locator on it. Thats what I did on my vehicle. I think its $40 a year to keep active.

 

[skargo]

Re: Security on a trailer, to tow vehicle

Where do you live in Baltimore?

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Security on a trailer, to tow vehicle

You need a live-aboard big brown dog.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Security on a trailer, to tow vehicle

Maybe take a tire off the trailer?

Its tough to say. My dad too locked his hitch to his truck, then the trailer locked on the ball. He bet me $50 I couldnt steal the trailer in a couple minutes.

Used a cordless Sawzall with a fine metal blade and cut through the base of the ball in less than 2 minutes!

technically you didn't steal it like that though... You would have had to drive with it hanging off the safety chains only, or figured out a way to get what remained of the ball out. (or a new tongue)

To the OP... If you are that concerned, boot on the trailer tire. end of story, everything else can be beat fairly easily, that would take by far the most work.

 

[boat1010]

Re: Security on a trailer, to tow vehicle

Like some of the other posts are saying. Just make it as hard for them to get as you can. If they want something bad enough they are going to take it. But if there are two boats and one of them all you have to do is hook it up and the other is "locked" in some way, usually they will take the easier one. Just make sure you have good insurance so if they do take it you are covered.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Security on a trailer, to tow vehicle

Even with the receiver lock, coupler lock, and wheel locks, the trailer can be easily stolen. The first issue is the coupler adjusting nut "under" the coupler. 30 seconds with a common wrench can spin this nut off. The yoke then falls off and the coupler can now be attached to the thiefs tow vehicle. Tongue weight will keep the trailer on the ball until they get where they need to go provided they don't get nuts with speed and terrain. Unless the wheel lock actually covers the hub and prevents removal of a wheel those are worthless. Even locking lug nuts are useless since they will simply pull the hub and replace it with there own wheel & hub. There are basically only two types of hubs. Anything that can be pawned will be gone in a heartbeat so batteries, stereo head units, props, skis, anchors, even ropes and fishing tackle are targets.

 

[df909]

Re: Security on a trailer, to tow vehicle

Park something in front of the boat. There was a post here about vehicle repo's and a past repo guy said he was able to get through almost every security attempt except a vehicle parked in from of the boat. I also agree with taking the tires off. I often see construction vehicles with wheels removed so they don't get ripped off.

Or, even better, build a crows nest over your garage and...

 

[kyle f]

Re: Security on a trailer, to tow vehicle

Well, lets see... Hitch Ball lock. I can pick pad lock style locks in about 10 seconds... took a little practice but I can do it now if I ever have to get into somethign quietly or such.

Cut a lock of a hitch pin with a dremel one time in abotu 10 seconds as well, and it was "hardnened" LOL

They could always just steal your truck and take the boat as well... but the glass, pop the socket out of the door... etc. There are programmers and chips out there that include a anti theft sercuit that requires you to use a certain procedure to start the car, like Hold the brake, put in D, put back in park, let off brake.. then it will start.

Taking a wheel off is nto a bad idea, but its an inconvience to you, and rather rediculous. Basically what I am saying is that security measures to make yours a little less easy to steal than the next guys or just enough not to spark an idea of how easy it would be in a paaser bys eyes. Anyoen that wants your stuff bad enough is going to get it.

The best piece of mind to have is good insurance. If somethign happens you know you are financially covered.

 

[eli_lilly]

Re: Security on a trailer, to tow vehicle

I live in a fairly high crime area with a lot of boat thefts. I have the Master Universal Trailer Coupler lock for the tongue and a Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Chain for the wheel. It's just going to be too much for them to mess with. The coupler lock is weird, it fits poorly and almost acts like you can just take it off with your hand and it would probably confuse the heck out of a thief more than anything else.


-E

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: Security on a trailer, to tow vehicle

Use a Kryptonite lock cable as an extra safety chain. But then they just have to steal to whole rig which can be done in a matter of minutes

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Security on a trailer, to tow vehicle

The big brown dog system is more economical.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Security on a trailer, to tow vehicle

taser wired to the trailer frame. problem solved!

 

[109jb]

Re: Security on a trailer, to tow vehicle

The question was how to lock the boat to the tow vehicle. In reality, you can't stop a determined thief, so anything you do is just going to prevent theft and make things a bit harder. Just about anything you do can be undone with a battery powered grinder and cutoff wheel in seconds, so you are just trying to make it a bit harder so they go steal your neighbors boat instead of yours because his is easier.

Now, what to do. I would simply weld the bolt that holds the safety chains on the trailer and padlock the other end of the chains to the truck hitch.

 

[2stroke1971]

Re: Security on a trailer, to tow vehicle

Thanks, lots of ideas.

Yeah, it can drive you nuts, I have made it pretty inconvenient I think. A "professional" thief could steal it, but I like to think the professional thief wont want a 26 year old boat.

Worried mostly about the neighborhood thugs, or Aholes who might steal it for parts or whatever. I am somewhat paranoid. Last year I was running a small skiff with a 25 hp outboard, and after EVERY trip, I would bring the old johnson in the house on a hand truck!

Ive had 2 cars and a motorcycle stolen over the years, so I am a bit shell shocked.
I think maybe the boot is the way to go all in all.

 

[Seadoomanls]

Re: Security on a trailer, to tow vehicle

Just get one up on the theives and go steal their stuff before they get yours

haha just kidding, but seriously I had a Jet Ski stolen. the trailer was locked real good. Funny thing is the Jet Ski was stolen, not the trailer. Those bas#$%# must have had a few guys lift it right off the trailer!

Insurance covered the cost of a brannd new jet ski but I bought my first jet ski when I was 14 and it was my first watercraft that was truly mine and it had some sentimental value. But my newer supercharged seadoo usually fills the void in my heart

 

[tractoman]

Re: Security on a trailer, to tow vehicle

Get insurance on the boat and trailer.