Trailer Security

Sibfisher · 05 April 2020, 10:44

Hi All
When leaving your trailer parked up while you our out on your boat what type of security do you use.

I have tried a wheel clamp for a wheel 8-10in but it was so big and heavy, the size of my wheels on my trailer are 480/400 8.

Any recommendations would be good as I dont know which direction to go.

whiskylee · 05 April 2020, 11:01

I use Screwfix hitch lock on my trailers

https://www.screwfix.com/p/streetwiz...ck-110mm/3897r

Tim M · 05 April 2020, 11:15

One of these should fit that size: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Heavy-Dut...QAAOSwlrpdgKst

Cheap and nasty but ticks the insurance requirement. If I have to leave the trailer somewhere I put one of those on, hitch-locked to the car (built into hitch) and depending on how long/where, a cable lock around something eg lamp post.

paintman · 05 April 2020, 11:25

If you use one of the type that leave the wheelnuts exposed don't forget to have a lock of some sort on the spare trailer wheel if yours is on the trailer!

Sibfisher · 05 April 2020, 12:27

Thanks for all the good posts and recommendations, wheel locks is a way to go on the wheels and for the spare on the trailer did not think of that, not too sure the direction to go for the wheel clamp yet

GuyC · 05 April 2020, 12:34

I use one of these:

https://www.sasproducts.com/product-...-steel-wheels/

It's easy to fit, covers one of the wheel nuts and seems pretty secure.

I also have one of these:

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/tr...ck-197510.html

The latter one came with the trailer.

I've just noticed that you have 8" wheels so the SAS clamp won't work.

Sibfisher · 05 April 2020, 12:42

The trailer I have is Extreme 350kg Bunker that has the 8in wheels as stated

Allye · 05 April 2020, 13:03

The cynic in me believes that these days if they want your trailer they are having it, much the same way you can put the most fancy dead locks and alarm on your van for them to take a cordless grinder to it and open it like a can.

My point being I wouldn’t spend hundreds. As mentioned above tick the insurance box.

Pikey Dave · 05 April 2020, 13:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allye

The cynic in me believes that these days if they want your trailer they are having it, much the same way you can put the most fancy dead locks and alarm on your van for them to take a cordless grinder to it and open it like a can.

My point being I wouldn’t spend hundreds. As mentioned above tick the insurance box.

^^^^^^^^^
Wot he said. Spend the minimum in order to comply with the insurance. If they want it, they’ll have it.

paintman · 05 April 2020, 17:18

The vast majority of security devices - on whatever the item/property is - are simply to persuade the thief to go & steal/burgle someone else's.

Sibfisher · 05 April 2020, 17:25

I will take yours advice and go for cheaper ones as said it's a deterrent I will buy some wheel lock nuts for a more security, I have a flexible steel cord that I can also put around the tow bracket and trailer for added security.

ShinyShoe · 05 April 2020, 17:37

I suspect "cheap" trailers rarely get nicked. I'm sure they do sometimes, but is the risk worth the reward.

Make it look so valuable because you'vE plastered it with locks and some chancer may think it's worth more than it is.

Just don't make it easy... So no trailer board left with it etc

lakelandterrier · 05 April 2020, 18:18

I have SAS clamp type lock - easted over 10 years, but the lock cylinder is on the way out. If I can, I leave the trailer hitched & locked to the car towbar - saves time as well.

On the basis that if somebody wants your trailer enough they will take it , when I replace the SAS lock I may go for combination of cheaper hitch and wheel locks to make it look like its too much effort - 2 tasks, not one.

Ferryman · 05 April 2020, 19:26

IMO go for a really good hitch lock and make sure the bolts can only be taken off with an angle grinder. Well centre popped or preferably welded.
Then a cheap wheel lock and they’ll take someone else’s!

Tim M · 05 April 2020, 20:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by lakelandterrier

I have SAS clamp type lock - easted over 10 years, but the lock cylinder is on the way out. If I can, I leave the trailer hitched & locked to the car towbar - saves time as well.

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!

HDAV · 05 April 2020, 22:18

Is trailer theft while on the water really an issue? Where are you launching?

Limecc · 06 April 2020, 10:18

I use a wheel lock but also fasten the trailer to the car looping a Python cable lock through an alloy wheel of my car, or, if they were not together, some other immovable object.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/master-lock-braided-steel-python-cable-lock-4-5m-x-10mm/8410t

Nasher · 06 April 2020, 10:32

I use these.
Had them for years and they cover the wheel nuts.

When in storage I use both of them, but if I'm leaving the trailer somewhere whilst I use the boat I just use one clamp.
That's because I don't want to carry both clamps around with me, one is easy as I just put it on the spare wheel.

As for the hitch I use a ball that fits up inside the socket and has no external parts. You wind spikes out with a key simalar to a locking wheel nut key.

I've always thought that it's too easy to cut off the ones that have external parts showing with a battery powered disc cutter.

Mind you, a determined thief with prior knowledge of your trailer just needs to bring their own coupling with them and undo two bolts to remove yours.

Nasher.

Nasher · 06 April 2020, 10:54

I wish I could find an image of the ball lock I use.

It's just the ball with no external parts.
My Father brought it @40yrs ago.

NOT one of those like below which looks like you might put it somewhere which is nothing to do with a trailer hitch.

Nasher

Limecc · 06 April 2020, 11:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

Mind you, a determined thief with prior knowledge of your trailer just needs to bring their own coupling with them and undo two bolts to remove yours.

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.