Try Parking a Trailer on a Street in Los Angeles!

[bowfisher8967]

I dont have a place to park my boat/trailer, so I've been keeping it on the street, and moving it for street cleaning. Just a low profile jon boat so the neighbors dont mind (they actually come out and help me when i'm working on it). The thing i'm worried about is theft. Theft of the motor, the boat, the trailer, or all 3 in one fell swoop. The motor is secured fairly well to the boat. They would have to cut the whole transom off to take just the motor. The boat, as of now, is only attached to the trailer with a bike lock cable. And the trailer's only defense is a coupler lock that could probably come off easily with a sledge hammer (maybe even a regular hammer). Any suggestions or ideas? I was thinking something along the lines of chaining a few cinderblocks or dumbells to the whole deal! And no, I dont have enough money to pay for storage at a boat yard. And I INSIST on being a boat owner! :facepalm:

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Try Parking a Trailer on a Street in Los Angeles!

the ONLY thing that will absolutely work in insurance.... look into it.... MUCH cheaper than most folks expect and 100% peace of mind

Most here would recommend BOAT US

 

[Bondo]

Re: Try Parking a Trailer on a Street in Los Angeles!

I dont have a place to park my boat/trailer, so I've been keeping it on the street, and moving it for street cleaning. Just a low profile jon boat so the neighbors dont mind (they actually come out and help me when i'm working on it). The thing i'm worried about is theft. Theft of the motor, the boat, the trailer, or all 3 in one fell swoop. The motor is secured fairly well to the boat. They would have to cut the whole transom off to take just the motor. The boat, as of now, is only attached to the trailer with a bike lock cable. And the trailer's only defense is a coupler lock that could probably come off easily with a sledge hammer (maybe even a regular hammer). Any suggestions or ideas? I was thinking something along the lines of chaining a few cinderblocks or dumbells to the whole deal! And no, I dont have enough money to pay for storage at a boat yard. And I INSIST on being a boat owner! :facepalm:

Ayuh,... Take a wheel off it, at the hub......only takes 1 cinder block,....

A thief might bring a spare tire, but probably not a spare hub,..... that fits.....

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Try Parking a Trailer on a Street in Los Angeles!

Well -- here is a story about trying to secure a trailer. In this case it is a snowmobile but the same principle appies. Snowmobile chained with a seriously large chain to the trailer. Trailer wheels have a car leaf spring through a wheel slot and locked underneath. Trailer is chained to a light pole with yet another seriously large chain. You guessed it -- Gone. The police followed the skid marks from the wheels that were unable to turn, to an alley in the nexdt suburb. The trailer was there but the sled was gone. The moral is -- if they want it they will get it. One thing that might work is when you are done using the boat, remove the dust cap from the hub and remove the spindle nut. Replace the cap. Yes -- if they take the boat the wheels will fall off and I'm reasonably certain they will not go far dragging a skidding trailer and boat down the street. Someone might just notice and the racket would certainly attract the attention of the police. You might need to replace a couple of wheels and tires and hubs but that's cheaper than the deductable on the rig and you still have your boat.

 

[JDA1975]

Re: Try Parking a Trailer on a Street in Los Angeles!

I added my boat to my policy, costs 13 bucks a month...when parked in the yard, my home owners insurance covers it....when I am towing it, my vehicle insurance covers it...and when I am afloat my boat insurance covers it....so I would assume that parked at your house your Homeowner insurance should cover it if it is stolen, you would have to check with your insurance provider, because my assumptions are usually wrong!

 

[Slow Ride]

Re: Try Parking a Trailer on a Street in Los Angeles!

Put the trailer in the driveway and park your truck on the street blocking the driveway. I do it all the time!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Try Parking a Trailer on a Street in Los Angeles!

Well -- here is a story about trying to secure a trailer. In this case it is a snowmobile but the same principle appies. Snowmobile chained with a seriously large chain to the trailer. Trailer wheels have a car leaf spring through a wheel slot and locked underneath. Trailer is chained to a light pole with yet another seriously large chain. You guessed it -- Gone. The police followed the skid marks from the wheels that were unable to turn, to an alley in the nexdt suburb. The trailer was there but the sled was gone. The moral is -- if they want it they will get it. One thing that might work is when you are done using the boat, remove the dust cap from the hub and remove the spindle nut. Replace the cap. Yes -- if they take the boat the wheels will fall off and I'm reasonably certain they will not go far dragging a skidding trailer and boat down the street. Someone might just notice and the racket would certainly attract the attention of the police. You might need to replace a couple of wheels and tires and hubs but that's cheaper than the deductable on the rig and you still have your boat.

Ayuh,... I like that Idea even better than mine.....

 

[jkust]

Re: Try Parking a Trailer on a Street in Los Angeles!

I like the idea of securing as good as possible with traditional means even if a battery powered sawzall can cut through most security but also insuring it with a stand alone policy. Even removing the nut as an extra measure is easy and free. Having only homeowners cover it while parked is to me unwise because firstly you have to pay the deductible in my case $2,500 but a claim on a HO policy is a bad thing. I'd much rather have the stand alone policy pay if it gets stolen. Much lower deductible and a large percent increase is peanuts. Not exactly the same but we had total loss in 2011 when my wife rolled over our tow vehicle/SUV and to my suprise after the auto insurance writing a large check out to us the rate increase was minimal. It will take many, many years to pay that amount back via rate increases.

 

[gtochris]

Re: Try Parking a Trailer on a Street in Los Angeles!

Why not get a reasonable ball hitch coupler lock and maybe a chain through a wheel/ around the frame locking it? Then you have 2 methods stopping theft and they are simple to remove by you with the key?

 

[JDA1975]

Re: Try Parking a Trailer on a Street in Los Angeles!

all of my insurance is with 1 carrier, so depending on where it is at the time of any accident, determines which policy covers it...I was just mentioning this as if he has homeowners It is covered when it is parked at home, even if he doesn't have boat insurance...

Disclaimer: not all insurance is the same check your individual policy to be sure!

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Try Parking a Trailer on a Street in Los Angeles!

.... remove the dust cap from the hub and remove the spindle nut. Replace the cap. Yes -- if they take the boat the wheels will fall off .........

And let us know the first time YOU forget that you took the spindle nut off!

Great idea though, I love it!

 

[fisherguy123]

Re: Try Parking a Trailer on a Street in Los Angeles!

maybe you could camouflage it with some easily removable scrap aluminum and tarps so it`s not so attractive to theives.......just joking pal.........good luck

 

[MRS]

Re: Try Parking a Trailer on a Street in Los Angeles!

maybe you could camouflage it with some easily removable scrap aluminum and tarps so it`s not so attractive to theives.......just joking pal.........good luck

Only trouble here if they saw that it would be gone to the recycle yard theifs here love that stuff. Where in L.A. are you?

 

[juneeci]

Re: Try Parking a Trailer on a Street in Los Angeles!

Good law and order in Los Angeles

 

[dave11]

Re: Try Parking a Trailer on a Street in Los Angeles!

Good law and order in Los Angeles

???????????

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Try Parking a Trailer on a Street in Los Angeles!

What kind of coupler lock do you have? I have one of those POS squared off brass couple locks, but in all honesty, I could hack through it in 30 seconds with sawzall..... Also, if the coupler is bolted on the trailer, it would be quick and easy to unbolt the locked coupler and put on a new coupler.

I agree with ST, if they want it, they will take it. I put a bunch of "deterrents" on my trailer anyway; 2 chains locking the wheels to an axle Ubolt, swing tongue chained against the frame, 2 locks going through the swing tongue holes. Anyone driving by can easily see that it's going to be a PITA to steal it. I'm not saying they couldn't, but it would be a pain trying to remove 6 locks,,, or enough of them to drag it off. It's insured, but I'd rather not have it stolen.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Try Parking a Trailer on a Street in Los Angeles!

Coupler locks keep honest people honest. All it takes is a battery powered drill to drill out the lock cylinder and the coupler lock will be off shortly.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Try Parking a Trailer on a Street in Los Angeles!

Coupler locks keep honest people honest. All it takes is a battery powered drill to drill out the lock cylinder and the coupler lock will be off shortly.

or simply wrap the safety chain around a bumper or even tie the trailer to a bumper with rope.... plain and simple ANY lock is just about as good as a dozen of the BEST locks.

 

[jkust]

Re: Try Parking a Trailer on a Street in Los Angeles!

maybe you could camouflage it with some easily removable scrap aluminum and tarps so it`s not so attractive to theives.......just joking pal.........good luck

Reminds me of the old SNL skit from way back. Car cover makes the nice luxury car look unappealing to car thieves.

 

[boat1010]

Re: Try Parking a Trailer on a Street in Los Angeles!

With all the technology today there should be some kind of wireless motion detector that you can put on it. At least you would know when they were taking it.. And if you use some of the other ideas you might just have enough time to get outside. Maybe stop them or maybe get shot... I would think insurance is the best bet...