How to lock down a ProPride hitch?

[dhroberts]

I want to 'lock' down my ProPride hitch when it is not connected to my tow vehicle. I'm thinking the empty 2" receiver gap looks just too inviting to a thief. Perhaps if I secured something into the receiver gap might work. Any thoughts are welcomed. Thanks.

[SteveSueMac]

Hmm - interesting question. Any thief worth his or her salt would just use your safety chains anyway so no matter what configuration you have, it’s easily defeated.... good insurance helps.

Having said that - a moderately good thief might be flustered by a contraption on the A-frame instead of a ball and assume it’s a complicated locking system anyway - they might just move on to the next one.

I’m not aware of something that would fit on the trailer side of the configuration - as one of those “hitch vaults” would work on the truck side of the equation. Anything going in there would have to be secured somehow...I wonder if Sean at ProPride has any ideas?

Good luck!

[dhroberts]

SteveSueMac, thanks for the reply. I'm just trying to keep the 'honest' thief honest. That is, 'leave my rig alone and go pick on someone else's rig'! I fully understand that if they want it they can get it. Just in case, I have replacement value insurance.

I am in conversation with Sean at ProPride. They offer a stand alone stinger that I could modify (i.e. cut off the end so that a ball could not be bolted on) so that a strong chain (e.g. ABUS 14KS) could be wrapped around the rig's frame and securely attached to the stinger.

Interested if Forum members have any other thoughts. Thanks again.

[Tim A.]

The locking method we use for our Hensley should work for the ProPride. We use two padlocks and a hitch bar with the hole drilled out big enough for a padlock. Our locking procedure is to put the stinger in the hitch, close the over-center latches and put one padlock through one of the latch's safety pin hole (the picture shows a pin in place). The hitch bar goes through the hole in the stinger and is padlocked in place. Absolutely theft proof? Of course not, but would take some time to remove.

Tim

[ghaynes755]

Perhaps not an issue. Would be a good question for Sean whether any ProPride equipped trailer has ever been stolen while parked, regardless if an AS or SOB.

I agree with the notion that if someone wants a trailer they are going to take one that can be dropped on a ball hitch. A PP will leave them scratching their heads.

[journeydog]

Originally Posted by ghaynes755

Perhaps not an issue. Would be a good question for Sean whether any ProPride equipped trailer has ever been stolen while parked, regardless if an AS or SOB.

I agree with the notion that if someone wants a trailer they are going to take one that can be dropped on a ball hitch. A PP will leave them scratching their heads.

XXXX2 - a PP might cause a perp-head to itch. After, the itch stops a 'good' perp may be up to the challenge.



Once upon a time, CBs were a popular thing to have (right after 8-tracks) and were good perp magnets. I had one, came out of my workplace, found my driver's side window smashed to smitherreens and CB gone from its roots - all in broad daylight, with a state-of-the-art "vandal-proof" alarm system installed in my new 4x4 locked vehicle, with lots of other cars and people around.


Might be a great survey question.

Was your AS stolen? At a CG or at home? If stolen did it have an anti-theft device? Vault on the hitch? Home-brew?

I have a MegaHitch anti-theft vault/box (my DW insisted) but, I'm beginning to think all it does is keep the elephants away and is a PITA to take on/off (heavy/awkward) and takes up room in the AS scarce storage area. I know, I know, carry it in the TV...

[Offack]

Once I have pulled away from the coach, I close the over centering latches, facing forward, then run the safety chains trough them effectively blocking receiver hole and put a really welll built padlock to two chains. Pretty simple, just need the lock, and I would hope anyone seeing someone at the hitch of my airstream with bolt cutters or torch would , well I'll leave that to your imagination, but I know what I'd do!
Rick