Trailer security

[Monkey Butler]

I took my 13' Whaler out on a local reservoir tonight and was talkin' to a guy at the ramp who said a buddy of his had his trailer stolen there last week. When I go to this ramp I usually don't even bother putting a lock on the trailer ball latch. It got me wondering what everybody else does to secure their trailers. I guess if somebody really wants your trailer they can help themselves fairly easily. Not that my trailers are worth that much but if someone makes off with your boats wheels then you are stuck with a boat and no way to get it home, plus the need to immediately go out and make a major purchase.

Just wondering...

Steve P.

[Monkey Butler]

I took my 13' Whaler out on a local reservoir tonight and was talkin' to a guy at the ramp who said a buddy of his had his trailer stolen there last week. When I go to this ramp I usually don't even bother putting a lock on the trailer ball latch. It got me wondering what everybody else does to secure their trailers. I guess if somebody really wants your trailer they can help themselves fairly easily. Not that my trailers are worth that much but if someone makes off with your boats wheels then you are stuck with a boat and no way to get it home, plus the need to immediately go out and make a major purchase.

Just wondering...

Steve P.

[macojoe]

Well I know 2 people that have had there trailers stolen. One was a tripple axle Alum brand new for a 27' Conch!!

And your right there isn't much you can do!! And I have a brand New trailer!

When ever possible I back my trailer into a spot, and I go as far as I can to the curb or fence. This way its behind my truck and against the wall, I also add a pad lock.

Hopefully some one will see someone hammering or cutting the lock and say something?

[macojoe]

Well I know 2 people that have had there trailers stolen. One was a tripple axle Alum brand new for a 27' Conch!!

And your right there isn't much you can do!! And I have a brand New trailer!

When ever possible I back my trailer into a spot, and I go as far as I can to the curb or fence. This way its behind my truck and against the wall, I also add a pad lock.

Hopefully some one will see someone hammering or cutting the lock and say something?

[dragn3]

yep, that's about all you can do. a good pair of bolt cutters will cut a lock so fast it will make your head spin. if you get one of those locks with the short clasps. ya know, the one's that would be hard to get the bolt cutters onto to cut that would be your best bet. the only problem with that is something my ol' man used to tell me- "a locked door only keeps the honest man out". >:(

[dragn3]

yep, that's about all you can do. a good pair of bolt cutters will cut a lock so fast it will make your head spin. if you get one of those locks with the short clasps. ya know, the one's that would be hard to get the bolt cutters onto to cut that would be your best bet. the only problem with that is something my ol' man used to tell me- "a locked door only keeps the honest man out". >:(

[C YENSEN]

GET RID OF THE TRAILER AND RENT A SLIP, THEN ALL YOUHAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IS SOMEONE STEALING YOUR BOAT ::)

THAT IS WHAT I DO ;)

[C YENSEN]

GET RID OF THE TRAILER AND RENT A SLIP, THEN ALL YOUHAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IS SOMEONE STEALING YOUR BOAT ::)

THAT IS WHAT I DO ;)

[randlemanboater]

Just make yours a little harder to steal than the one next to it.

Lock the hitch to the reciever and a padlock on the tounge should do it.

Most folks around here don't do anything at all so just a little resistance is all it takes to make theirs the easy one to take.

[randlemanboater]

Just make yours a little harder to steal than the one next to it.

Lock the hitch to the reciever and a padlock on the tounge should do it.

Most folks around here don't do anything at all so just a little resistance is all it takes to make theirs the easy one to take.

[Blue_Runner]

Just make yours a little harder to steal than the one next to it.

Lock the hitch to the reciever and a padlock on the tounge should do it.

Most folks around here don't do anything at all so just a little resistance is all it takes to make theirs the easy one to take.
RB - thats some fine advice...took the words right outta my mouth. ;)

[Blue_Runner]

Just make yours a little harder to steal than the one next to it.

Lock the hitch to the reciever and a padlock on the tounge should do it.

Most folks around here don't do anything at all so just a little resistance is all it takes to make theirs the easy one to take.
RB - thats some fine advice...took the words right outta my mouth. ;)

[Shawsee]

I always lock my coupler and the 2" reciever also. As mentioned above, if a theif wants it they will damn sure get it. I figure why make it easy for the SCUMBAGS. I also have a locking gas cap on my truck. I was out boating once and came back into the launch, got my truck, backed down the ramp, struck stalled out. I tried starting it and nothing, happened to glance at my fuel gauge and voilas, some SCUMBAG siphoned and stole all my gas while I was out enjoying the day on the water! Theives suck >:(

[Shawsee]

I always lock my coupler and the 2" reciever also. As mentioned above, if a theif wants it they will damn sure get it. I figure why make it easy for the SCUMBAGS. I also have a locking gas cap on my truck. I was out boating once and came back into the launch, got my truck, backed down the ramp, struck stalled out. I tried starting it and nothing, happened to glance at my fuel gauge and voilas, some SCUMBAG siphoned and stole all my gas while I was out enjoying the day on the water! Theives suck >:(

[Monkey Butler]

You are pretty much a sittin' duck because if someone sees you leave all loaded up with gear and coolers etc. they know your not coming back for a while.

If I were a thief looking to steal a trailer (or write a book about how I would do it) what's to stop me from unbolting the whole ball and just screwing your trailer on to my receiver? I'm thinking about getting a lock and long cable to thread through a couple of wheels. At least show 'em I'm serious.

[Monkey Butler]

You are pretty much a sittin' duck because if someone sees you leave all loaded up with gear and coolers etc. they know your not coming back for a while.

If I were a thief looking to steal a trailer (or write a book about how I would do it) what's to stop me from unbolting the whole ball and just screwing your trailer on to my receiver? I'm thinking about getting a lock and long cable to thread through a couple of wheels. At least show 'em I'm serious.

[reelapeelin]

No question if some body REELY wants it, they're gonna get it ... but just slowin' 'em down goes a long way ... as said above, so many others do nothing for security and those theivs can get away with QUICKLY...I have a barrel lock thru the tongue that doesn't allow room for bolt cutters (hacksaw would, but that's not QUICK OR SILENT ... I have run a loggin' chain thru wheels and inside frame ... and I like MJ's idea of backin' in too tight for 'em to get to ... but the main thing that will keep someone fron runnin' off w/mine is it's old and ugly ;) ... but it'll be there when I get back ... ;) ... I hope ::) ...

[reelapeelin]

No question if some body REELY wants it, they're gonna get it ... but just slowin' 'em down goes a long way ... as said above, so many others do nothing for security and those theivs can get away with QUICKLY...I have a barrel lock thru the tongue that doesn't allow room for bolt cutters (hacksaw would, but that's not QUICK OR SILENT ... I have run a loggin' chain thru wheels and inside frame ... and I like MJ's idea of backin' in too tight for 'em to get to ... but the main thing that will keep someone fron runnin' off w/mine is it's old and ugly ;) ... but it'll be there when I get back ... ;) ... I hope ::) ...

[macojoe]

Locks just keep honest people honest, But a thief will not care, if he can take i he is going to!!

[macojoe]

Locks just keep honest people honest, But a thief will not care, if he can take i he is going to!!

[Blue_Runner]

At least show 'em I'm serious.
Tally Ho just leave a pic of that Monkey on the tongue I think they'll get the picture (pun intended). ;D

[Blue_Runner]

At least show 'em I'm serious.
Tally Ho just leave a pic of that Monkey on the tongue I think they'll get the picture (pun intended). ;D

[reelapeelin]

Another thing to consider is what ramp facility you decide to use ... I've got a year's pass at the biggest, busiest marina on lake Hartwell ... riff-raff no like cause too many eyes ... lots of public ramps around the lake you WILL get your tow vehicle broken into and maybe yer trailer snatched ... sometimes higher ramp fees are worth the piece of mind... ;) ...

[reelapeelin]

Another thing to consider is what ramp facility you decide to use ... I've got a year's pass at the biggest, busiest marina on lake Hartwell ... riff-raff no like cause too many eyes ... lots of public ramps around the lake you WILL get your tow vehicle broken into and maybe yer trailer snatched ... sometimes higher ramp fees are worth the piece of mind... ;) ...

[chesapeake_dreamer]

Saw this and thought of you,
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z197/chesapeake_dreamer/locks2.jpg
and the one I owne
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z197/chesapeake_dreamer/locks1.jpg
works well and with me headed on vacation to MS I didn't want anyone pulling off with my boat and trailer outa the yard whilest I gone.

[chesapeake_dreamer]

Saw this and thought of you,
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z197/chesapeake_dreamer/locks2.jpg
and the one I owne
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z197/chesapeake_dreamer/locks1.jpg
works well and with me headed on vacation to MS I didn't want anyone pulling off with my boat and trailer outa the yard whilest I gone.

[Shawsee]

Another thing to seriously consider. :o Lock your spare tire! My buddy was out last weekend and came back and noticed his spare was gone! I since then went and purchased a locking spare tire carrier inplace of the square U-bolt that had only two lugnuts holding the tire on. Thieves surely suck and if caught they should have their grubby paws cut-off like they do in some Mid East countries. ;D

[Shawsee]

Another thing to seriously consider. :o Lock your spare tire! My buddy was out last weekend and came back and noticed his spare was gone! I since then went and purchased a locking spare tire carrier inplace of the square U-bolt that had only two lugnuts holding the tire on. Thieves surely suck and if caught they should have their grubby paws cut-off like they do in some Mid East countries. ;D

[macojoe]

Wow you guys have to be in a high crime area!! I throw everything in the back of the truck for all to see and take, and I have never lost anything!!

In my yard there is $1000+ worth of stuff at any givin time out front and I have never lost a thing!

Key is always in the boat and about 90% of the time the truck key is also! and if its not the spare is right on the floor in plain site

[macojoe]

Wow you guys have to be in a high crime area!! I throw everything in the back of the truck for all to see and take, and I have never lost anything!!

In my yard there is $1000+ worth of stuff at any givin time out front and I have never lost a thing!

Key is always in the boat and about 90% of the time the truck key is also! and if its not the spare is right on the floor in plain site

[chesapeake_dreamer]

Just figured better safe then sorry. I live in a high tourist area and you here the stories but personally, I've never had anything stolen.

[chesapeake_dreamer]

Just figured better safe then sorry. I live in a high tourist area and you here the stories but personally, I've never had anything stolen.