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Posted: 5/5/2026 3:29:11 AM EDT
| What are your experiences with security devices like trailer hitch locks, wheel boots and other devices for preventing a horse or camping trailer from being stolen? |
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Originally Posted By PhuzzyGnu: Hitch locks < wheel boots < heavy chain < wheel removal. Most anti-theft tactics will only delay a determined thief. How is the heavy chain used? Are there locking lug nuts to prevent a wheel from being put back on after being removed for security? |
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We use a heat treated -cut resistanr chain and a hocky puck lock. Its a pain in the butt to take on and off (the chain is a beast) but does provide some measure of security. We also have garmin cameras mounted to the trailer. https://www.uscargocontrol.com/products/3-8-x-4-pewag-security-chain-kit-w-viro-lock?cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=876999320&cq_con=46889314751&cq_term=&cq_med=pla&cq_plac=&cq_net=g&cq_pos=&cq_plt=gp&utm_term=&utm_campaign=USCC+Shopping+-+Security+Chain+-+Pewag+Security+Chain+%26+Locks&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_acc=5185776341&hsa_cam=876999320&hsa_grp=46889314751&hsa_ad=206023060228&hsa_src=g&hsa_tgt=pla-336374965621&hsa_kw=&hsa_mt=&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=876999320&gclid=CjwKCAjwqubPBhBOEiwAzgZX2tkCb_d9Io8AG02fztxxb2R4V5Urwf7QmE8f8J242_ICG1vtjpaKehoCGqkQAvD_BwE |
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We try not to camp near Mexico. But, other than that. We have a tongue lock, and if we think it's a higher-risk area, I bought a couple heavy cables that we run thru the wheels and around the leaf springs, locked with padlocks. Sure, they're all defeatable, but at least it might slow someone down a bit. We also have insurance on our camper. It's cheap. As it only covers it while you're camping. Towing is covered under the auto insurance, at home is covered under homeowner's. |
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Originally Posted By Mindless: Take off the hubs and bearings; make it really hard. Originally Posted By Mindless: Originally Posted By DonSaba: How is the heavy chain used? Are there locking lug nuts to prevent a wheel from being put back on after being removed for security? Take off the hubs and bearings; make it really hard. |
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"Dealing with Congress is like trying to have an adult conversation about the credit card with your alcoholic bi-polar Ukranian import wife."
"Dealing with Congress is like trying to have an adult conversation about the credit card with your alcoholic bi-polar Ukranian import wife."
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I’ve been out of horseback trail riding but we’re out riding ATVs everywhere. From my experience, a lot of theft deterrents just end up creating extra work without really stopping someone who’s determined. We still take some basic precautions: Locking containers and doors, putting coolers out of sight, maybe a hitch lock, just the basics to discourage easy theft. But beyond that, I'll rely on insurance if something major like a truck or trailer gets stolen. Honestly, I’d rather deal with a stolen trailer than one that’s been damaged from a failed theft attempt. |
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Originally Posted By sublimeshooter: I’ve been out of horseback trail riding but we’re out riding ATVs everywhere. From my experience, a lot of theft deterrents just end up creating extra work without really stopping someone who’s determined. We still take some basic precautions: Locking containers and doors, putting coolers out of sight, maybe a hitch lock, just the basics to discourage easy theft. But beyond that, I'll rely on insurance if something major like a truck or trailer gets stolen. Honestly, I’d rather deal with a stolen trailer than one that’s been damaged from a failed theft attempt. Bingo Insure it and throw a lock on the tounge. If they really want it it's getting taken. Don't bother trying to make it theft proof just make it harder than stealing the next guy overs. |
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The horse trailers have a removable hitch. The camper stays attached to the truck and parked in such a way that the truck blocks access for another vehicle. The hardest trailer to secure is the boat trailer. Without the boat it's light enough for several people to move by hand so you really cannot block it in. I padlock the hitch, padlock the tow chains to the truck receiver and run a braided cable and lock between the tires. Even with that, someone has attempted to steal it in the past. Essentially, the bigger a pain in the ass it is to steal the better the deterrent factor. |
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theft deterrents just slow them down a bit. Lots of trailer thieves seem to have bolt cutters, oxy/act torches & 20v angle grinder with cutoff wheels. Lots of trailers get stolen around here from storage lots, peoples yards & from vehicles. I've worked with people who get alerts on their cell phone from their home security & ring cams, look at vid on phone and see a vehicle pulling away with their trailer. Uncle had my trailer at a job in sw texas he was on, he had the clam lock on tounge latch, extra long 5/16" grd7 safety chains pass through bumper & locked and a locking hitch pin. Thieves cut the locking hitch pin & through safety chains. They pushed trailer back with hitch, and figure they chained it to bumper of vehicle & drove off to where they could cut the clam lock off latch so could remove hitch & ball. Or could of just slid the hitch into mount on their vehicle, put a hitch pin in and drove off. Either way, He lost his equipment & my trailer. |
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Originally Posted By Ndenway1twicetimes: theft deterrents just slow them down a bit. Lots of trailer thieves seem to have bolt cutters, oxy/act torches & 20v angle grinder with cutoff wheels. Lots of trailers get stolen around here from storage lots, peoples yards & from vehicles. I've worked with people who get alerts on their cell phone from their home security & ring cams, look at vid on phone and see a vehicle pulling away with their trailer. Uncle had my trailer at a job in sw texas he was on, he had the clam lock on tounge latch, extra long 5/16" grd7 safety chains pass through bumper & locked and a locking hitch pin. Thieves cut the locking hitch pin & through safety chains. They pushed trailer back with hitch, and figure they chained it to bumper of vehicle & drove off to where they could cut the clam lock off latch so could remove hitch & ball. Or could of just slid the hitch into mount on their vehicle, put a hitch pin in and drove off. Either way, He lost his equipment & my trailer. Thank you for providing the details of how it happened. |
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Originally Posted By DonSaba: Thank you for providing the details of how it happened. Originally Posted By DonSaba: Originally Posted By Ndenway1twicetimes: theft deterrents just slow them down a bit. Lots of trailer thieves seem to have bolt cutters, oxy/act torches & 20v angle grinder with cutoff wheels. Lots of trailers get stolen around here from storage lots, peoples yards & from vehicles. I've worked with people who get alerts on their cell phone from their home security & ring cams, look at vid on phone and see a vehicle pulling away with their trailer. Uncle had my trailer at a job in sw texas he was on, he had the clam lock on tounge latch, extra long 5/16" grd7 safety chains pass through bumper & locked and a locking hitch pin. Thieves cut the locking hitch pin & through safety chains. They pushed trailer back with hitch, and figure they chained it to bumper of vehicle & drove off to where they could cut the clam lock off latch so could remove hitch & ball. Or could of just slid the hitch into mount on their vehicle, put a hitch pin in and drove off. Either way, He lost his equipment & my trailer. Thank you for providing the details of how it happened. That's pretty much the gist of the police case report he had and what he told me. |
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Originally Posted By bmarshall1: OP, there was a BIG thread about this last week, google it as there are also a lot of good ideas there. All those guys talking about taking wheels and axles off are amateurs, I take the frame out from under it and hang it from a tree, NOONE is getting my stuff! Thanks, I'll check it out |
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Originally Posted By DonSaba: What are your experiences with security devices like trailer hitch locks, wheel boots and other devices for preventing a horse or camping trailer from being stolen? The RV and 20' trailer get a heavy chain and lock thru their wheels. I use a trailer pin lock that's keyed to my Jeep key and since the trailer is outdoors it also gets a ball hitch lock - just stacking time. All the 'little stuff' like the lawn mowers, snowblowers, and chipper get chained to each other. I have everything marked up with decals facing aft so that if something does get stolen the cops can find it easier. One stolen trailer looks like the 8700 on the road next to it without something distinctive. I've put AirTags in the side-by-side, ATV, zero turn mower, and log splitter. I have a very good homeowners insurance policy. I had a couple of prowlers visit my rural country side home about 10-months ago and ramped up my security afterwords adding more locks, lights, and cameras. The existing system I had worked but since I got touched I had to respond with more deterrence and additional surveillance. The prowlers had driven the 525 feet down my driveway and parked between my shop and home. They got out and the male walked to the window of my shop, put his palms up to his face to peer in. If he had opened the un-locked door the alarm siren would have gone off. The female half went to the "rust yard" and looked at the hitch for my trailer, wood chipper, and was stumbling around next to the push mower when my dog started huffing so I said "Hey Siri Alert Lighting" and all my exterior lights went off. The guy said "oh he's home" as the two jumped back into their vehicle to back down the driveway as I got dressed and grabbed the 12-gauge to go out and say hi! -- no crime was committed so when I took the video and screen captures of the two of them to the deputy he did nothing. It's entirely possible Michigan has the worst trespass laws in the nation.  |
Disclaimer: Before taking offense, please consider the possibility that I was attempting humor and simply wasn't as funny as I thought I was. This post may contain traces of sarcasm, exaggeration, and attempted humor.
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Originally Posted By Paul: I chain all my stuff together and keep what I can inside the garage. What I leave outdoors I cover to protect it from the rain, snow, and eyeballs on the street. If a thief knows it's a Gravely rather than a Harbor Freight he might just choose it. The RV and 20' trailer get a heavy chain and lock thru their wheels. I use a trailer pin lock that's keyed to my Jeep key and since the trailer is outdoors it also gets a ball hitch lock - just stacking time. All the 'little stuff' like the lawn mowers, snowblowers, and chipper get chained to each other. I have everything marked up with decals facing aft so that if something does get stolen the cops can find it easier. One stolen trailer looks like the 8700 on the road next to it without something distinctive. I've put AirTags in the side-by-side, ATV, zero turn mower, and log splitter. I have a very good homeowners insurance policy. I had a couple of prowlers visit my rural country side home about 10-months ago and ramped up my security afterwords adding more locks, lights, and cameras. The existing system I had worked but since I got touched I had to respond with more deterrence and additional surveillance. The prowlers had driven the 525 feet down my driveway and parked between my shop and home. They got out and the male walked to the window of my shop, put his palms up to his face to peer in. If he had opened the un-locked door the alarm siren would have gone off. The female half went to the "rust yard" and looked at the hitch for my trailer, wood chipper, and was stumbling around next to the push mower when my dog started huffing so I said "Hey Siri Alert Lighting" and all my exterior lights went off. The guy said "oh he's home" as the two jumped back into their vehicle to back down the driveway as I got dressed and grabbed the 12-gauge to go out and say hi! -- no crime was committed so when I took the video and screen captures of the two of them to the deputy he did nothing. It's entirely possible Michigan has the worst trespass laws in the nation. So, your defense was multiple layers of security. |