Trailer Security - Page 2

Nasher · 06 April 2020, 11:14

Yep, good point.

Found an image of a ball lock like the one I have.

It would be very difficult to remove without the key.

Nasher

Limecc · 06 April 2020, 11:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

Yep, good point.

Found an image of a ball lock like the one I have.

It would be very difficult to remove without the key.

Nasher

I have one the same, was going to photograph it for you lol

Limecc · 06 April 2020, 11:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limecc

I have one the same, was going to photograph it for you lol

So I photographed the packaging instead.
Made by Grayston Engineering Ltd

Nasher · 06 April 2020, 11:50

Yep that's the ones.

As mentioned mine is almost an antique.
I make sure it gets a squirt of grease once a year because I dread the day I find it seized up and I can't get it out.

Nasher.

Limecc · 06 April 2020, 12:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

Yep that's the ones.

As mentioned mine is almost an antique.
I make sure it gets a squirt of grease once a year because I dread the day I find it seized up and I can't get it out.

Nasher.

As you say, just unbolt and replace the hitch, they are cheap enough. Anyway it's going in a greasy socket, you can't use these on AlKo (dry) stabiliser hitches.

Sibfisher · 06 April 2020, 19:15

Thanks for all the feed backs, it as been a real eye opener the directions you can go in and what people use, I will be taking some of the advice given and will go in that direction.

lakelandterrier · 11 April 2020, 09:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim M

You might want to consider the insurance implications of that; most policies state clamp AND hitch lock if left unattended. For me that's all that matters - that I've ticked those boxes. I usually take a photo if leaving it for a while as additional proof. As per the above, they will have it if they want it!

My hitch has a built in lock, and I always lock it on to the car towbar - that way if I am towing and pulling for a pit stop at the services no-one can easily unhitch and tow away behind another car. Leaving the trailer where I can locked to the car in my mind is better than leaving it alone.

But that has given me a thought - how many people in reality put a wheel lock on the trailer when stopping for a short coffee / loo break when travelling? Technically the trailer is "unattended".

Uh Oh · 11 April 2020, 11:05

Our insurance policy states that we have to use a wheel clamp and a hitchlock.
Like you say, wheel clamps are heavy old things. But we are fearful of being uninsured. Our outfit cost a lot for us and I'm not sure we would be able to afford to replace it. So we bit the bullet and bought a bulldog hitchlock and wheel clamp.
I have to say, they are both really well built and if looked after will probably give many years of service. They come with a spare key and you can order more keys if required.
Like anything you do, this doesn't guarantee our boat and/or trailer won't be stolen. But at least we will be able to claim on our insurance and it won't be a total loss.
BTW, when we were researching security products, I was surprised how many were so easy to overcome! As I've said - nothing is fool proof. But you do have to wonder what is the point of paying for something which takes less than 30 seconds to remove. A bit like some car locks I guess.

HDAV · 11 April 2020, 11:09

What is unattended? Left attached to car while you are paying for petrol, having a coffee in sight of trailer, going to the loo out of site of trailer? Parked up and doing the shopping? Parked on a quay side while you are in water? Left in compound ? Left outside your home?

Flat bed and a hiab will have it away in minutes.....

Coastie · 24 April 2020, 09:15

I believe my policy specifically mentions motorway services as they appear to be a prime area for loaded boat to disappear - not sure why with all the cameras on motorways. I always use both hitch lock and wheel lock when leaving it near slipway, plus the spare wheel stays in back of car.

Nasher · 24 April 2020, 09:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coastie

I believe my policy specifically mentions motorway services as they appear to be a prime area for loaded boat to disappear - not sure why with all the cameras on motorways. I always use both hitch lock and wheel lock when leaving it near slipway, plus the spare wheel stays in back of car.

My post would just be a repeat of yours in every way, except I know for sure my policy mentions services.

Apparently lots of caravans go missing at services, obviously normally with a families possessions still inside.

Nasher.

Coastie · 24 April 2020, 09:24

When we travel, one person stays in car whilst other gets the coffee / takes a break.

Nasher · 24 April 2020, 10:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coastie

When we travel, one person stays in car whilst other gets the coffee / takes a break.

That's what we end up doing if we have to stop on the motorway.

Or we stop at smaller places on A roads where you can physically keep an eye on it.

Nasher.

paintman · 24 April 2020, 10:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

Apparently lots of caravans go missing at services, obviously normally with a families possessions still inside.
Nasher.

Easy pickings at very busy services.
The thieves see the family go off to the services & know they've got a short time period where the target is unattended.
Wearing high-viz vests while they're messing about means people ignore them assuming they're legit.

Sibfisher · 27 April 2020, 09:59

Thanks for all the advice and what to be careful of when towing the boat,

I have now got a wheel clamp, ball lock and have a flexy steel cable that I will put on the trailer safety chain and locked to the car tow bar when parked.

I understand nothing is 100% secure but the more obstetrical in there way the better

A1an · 27 April 2020, 19:55

I just cross my fingers.

Worked so far.

Sibfisher · 28 April 2020, 20:11

I think i will be the same as you A1an, Fingers crossed the trailer wil still be there when I get back with the boat

jambo · 29 April 2020, 09:41

Take wheel of and put in car.

andrewpollard · 08 November 2020, 09:54

AMPLOCK boat trailer lock, very heavy duty. Trust my boat with it. Fits perfectly. Also chained and locked my boat to a concert pillar in the ground. Highly recommend!!

GuyC · 08 November 2020, 13:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limecc

Sorry to say they don't need to do this, they just use the same method to steal caravans and carry a short length of chain and a shackle that will go through the links and they just loop the chain around the trailer frame and over their tow ball of their van. Doesn't matter to them it's not securely fixed, just need to lift the jockey wheel clear and tow it away.

I think if you are looking for security, the caravan world is probably the place to look at.

I read about a couple of caravans who were in convoy and stopped at the services. When the couples returned, one of the caravans had disappeared leaving the hitch on the back of the towing car and the other one was in the process of of having the hitch removed. Fortunately the loose hitch was discovered before they drove off.