Trailer Security

[Trello]

Whilst I understand the sentiments of those people above who advise doing the minimum to tick the insurance boxes, I think it's worth trying to do as much as possible to try to prevent your trailer being taken whilst you're on the water - because if it does go missing you've then got the problem of getting your boat home without it. Although my boat will fit in my car, for some of us that wouldn't be an option.

Do any RAC/AA/Greenflag policies include getting a boat without trailer home? I guess it would be a huge, huge faff.

Ever since my bike got taken from my garage last year (stupidly left the garage door open for a few hours and an opportunist saw the opportunity!), I've been a bit paranoid about locking everything up.

Anyone had their trailer taken whilst on the water?

[whiskylee]

Originally Posted by Trello

Whilst I understand the sentiments of those people above who advise doing the minimum to tick the insurance boxes, I think it's worth trying to do as much as possible to try to prevent your trailer being taken whilst you're on the water - because if it does go missing you've then got the problem of getting your boat home without it. Although my boat will fit in my car, for some of us that wouldn't be an option.

Do any RAC/AA/Greenflag policies include getting a boat without trailer home? I guess it would be a huge, huge faff.

Ever since my bike got taken from my garage last year (stupidly left the garage door open for a few hours and an opportunist saw the opportunity!), I've been a bit paranoid about locking everything up.

Anyone had their trailer taken whilst on the water?

I think you would be very much on your own if the trailer was stolen whilst out boating! [emoji1696] It never happens.
The breakdown service wouldn't be able to help without a boat trailer under the boat.

Ref insurance I split the hull, engine and trailer when insuring my boats



Sent from my motorola edge 20 lite using RIB Net mobile app

[paintman]

Originally Posted by Trello

Whilst I understand the sentiments of those people above who advise doing the minimum to tick the insurance boxes, I think it's worth trying to do as much as possible to try to prevent your trailer being taken whilst you're on the water - because if it does go missing you've then got the problem of getting your boat home without it. Although my boat will fit in my car, for some of us that wouldn't be an option.

Do any RAC/AA/Greenflag policies include getting a boat without trailer home? I guess it would be a huge, huge faff.

Ever since my bike got taken from my garage last year (stupidly left the garage door open for a few hours and an opportunist saw the opportunity!), I've been a bit paranoid about locking everything up.

Anyone had their trailer taken whilst on the water?

Been said before but worth a reminder.
Have a good look at your breakdown T&Cs.
Many won't recover a trailer unless the breakdown issue is the towing vehicle.

[Uh Oh]

I agree with Paintman. Our terms and conditions say the trailer must have a hitchlock AND a wheelclamp on whenever the trailer is unattended.
I asked the insurer about the word unattended and its open to interpretation. But there will be an element of reasonableness applied. So I fit both when the trailer is not in transit and attached to my car. If I stop at a petrol station on the way and someone nicks it whilst I'm paying for fuel, I guess that's where it would be tested.
I generally prepare the boat the night before and the car itself blocks the exit from our drive. Nevertheless, I still fit the wheelclamp and towhitch lock overnight. Because this is what my policy says.
When we have launched, the trailer is left in a conspicuous place , either on or off the road and with both fitted. I also checked that I could leave the trailer on a road unattached to a car. I spoke with the police who told me the trailer should have a means of braking. To stop it rolling away. And they agreed that a wheelclamp would be construed sufficient for this purpose.
I've heard of plenty of boats and trailers going missing in Devon over the years. I think most will be opportunist crime. As with all crime, some people will take no measures whatsoever and get away with it. And others won't be so lucky. What you do or don't do, depends on your personal attitude towards risk. Mine has increased with age and experience. Sometimes bitter experience.

[HDAV]

Depends where you are leaving it really side of the road I don’t like the odds…. On a beach on soft sand only accessible via a gate and where cars aren’t allowed and will look out of place I’ll chance it

If you r car was stolen breakdown won’t take you home so why would they take your boat?

If mine ever went missing from my usual launch I have a plan…..

[Trello]

Originally Posted by HDAV

If mine ever went missing from my usual launch I have a plan…..

And.......?

[HDAV]

Originally Posted by Trello

And.......?

Well it’s no use to you it’s my plan

[Uh Oh]

Originally Posted by HDAV

Well it’s no use to you it’s my plan

[Trello]

Originally Posted by HDAV

Well it’s no use to you it’s my plan

Yeah - I walked right into that one!

[Voodoo]

Originally Posted by Trello

Anyone had their trailer taken whilst on the water?

Yep..me. 30 odd years ago.... First boat I ever had....14 foot Fletcher, Snipe trailer. Launch boat and left trailer cable locked to tow vehicle...used boat for the day, came back to recover ...trailer gone.

What a crap day that was....

[Trello]

Originally Posted by Voodoo

What a crap day that was....

I bet that's the understatement of the year!

What did you do (besides cry)? How did you get the boat home?

[Voodoo]

Originally Posted by Trello

I bet that's the understatement of the year!

What did you do (besides cry)? How did you get the boat home?

To cut a long story short...Once I calmed down I took the boat round to the marina who kindly gave me a spot to park it for a couple of days, for a small fee obviously. Reported to police who assured me the trailer would be long gone away from the area.
Next day decided to stop fretting and visit some local slipways, found my trailer, called the cops who in those days used to actually turn up instead of just providing a crime number, proved to them it was my trailer by identifying marks under some hastily applied black paint on the tow hitch and that was that.....they waited for the guys at the slipway who returned in their boat and nicked them. Apparently their trailer wheel broke so they stole mine.....
Glad I found it having realised how much a replacement would be...

[Voodoo]

No mobile phones then so had to drive home, call cops and drive back to slipway to meet them...

[Trello]

Originally Posted by Voodoo

they waited for the guys at the slipway who returned in their boat and nicked them.

Good!

Originally Posted by Voodoo

Apparently their trailer wheel broke so they stole mine.....

I bet they thought in their minds that that was a legitimate reason!



Sounds like a bit of a nightmare, but I'm glad you got your trailer back.

[Voodoo]

Oops, double entry my apologies...

[Voodoo]

Originally Posted by Trello

Good!

I bet they thought in their minds that that was a legitimate reason!

Sounds like a bit of a nightmare, but I'm glad you got your trailer back.

Me too.,.thanks

We have quite a big trailer now with the rib we have, and although its in a fairly secure place, with a wheel clamp and hitchball lock, as many on here have said if they want it they will take it, so its for insurance purposes really, same with anything else I suppose...

[CJL]

We have a SAS hitchlock, wheel clamp and Datatag trailer security system (microdots, RFID patches and warning stickers) as an added deterrent. We also use a chain and padlock around the spare wheel to stop that being stolen.

Touch wood, seems to work at the moment.

www.datatag.co.uk/trailers.php

Chris

[Trello]

Thanks for the link, Chris.

I had a look at the website - what makes their markings "tamper-proof"?