How to lock her when we unhitch

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by kathy@bocinc

Robertsunrus: Did I miss it, or did you not mention the name/brand of hitch lock you prefer?
(Every time I follow-up on one and read the reviews, there's usually someone claiming it wasn't of much help, or gave false sense of security, etc. They liked it right up until their AS was stolen.)

Hi, my coupler lock is a "Guardian G-37." [for 2 5/16" rolled lip coupler]

Originally Posted by danalee

We have our first electric hitch. What do you do to keep a kid from messing with the switch?

Hi, remove the fuse; Or if it's your kid..........

[tkowalyk]

We use a tongue lock too, but we also use a kryptonite cable lock between two of the wheels. These kryptonite locks are some of the strongest. It woudl be difficult to cut through this thing.

https://www.kryptonitelock.com/produ...=1001&pid=1179

[markdoane]

Originally Posted by danalee

We have our first electric hitch. What do you do to keep a kid from messing with the switch?

If you can, wire the breakaway switch and electic jack through a heavy duty switch inside the trailer. I use a keyed ignition switch from the local auto parts store.

It also prevents the kid from activating your brakes if he pulls the lanyard on your breakaway switch.

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by caadoptees

I finally got around to taking some pictures of what I do. Remember that nothing will deter the person that REALLY wants the trailer but I want to slow them down as much as possible. Here is the sequence.

I remove the hitch from the receiver. Put the ball in the trailer tongue and latch it. I think bring the chains from my equalizing bars up to the latch and put a padlock through them all. My father put some tangs to hang the bars on so the ends are near the front during storage. I then take my receiver lock and put it through the hitch and lock it.

The thief cannot simply hook up the the tongue. They cannot put the hitch in their receiver either.

Makes me feel better.

Ok I hope I don't ruin your day but I can walk up to that setup and hit the top of the latch with a hammer and your stinger will drop right out. the latch is designed to give way under excessive force. Mine let go when the ball pulled out during my first accident.

I use a tongue lock from Master lock.

[pmclemore]

RE Tongue locks - be sure you get the one robertsunrus has - the first one you see at the store is likely made for tongues with flat flanges. Once you get it home, you'll see it won't fit .

But I had a friend who could use it...

Pat

[Air-13800]

I used to have a small trailer parked on the gravel parking area in front of my house.
I dug a hole about 3 feet deep poured about 3 bags of concrete into it with a big chain leading to the surface, I would park the trailer over the chain, then lock it around the axle, maybe they could figure out a way to hook up to the front of the trailer, ( it was protected) but they would not be able to get away.

[Alwhisman]

It's a shame that the best you can hope for is to make it as difficult as possible for a bandit.

I use a coupler lock, one wheel lock, and she sits behind closed gates.

Al

[FreshAir]

Originally Posted by hampstead38

A hitch lock deters thieves from dropping your trailer onto a ball... but it is still possible to steal a trailer just using chains. To keep the trailer from moving, I believe there are chock locks. A variation of the chock lock is the tire boot. A variation of this is a J lock. I guess it depends on how secure you want your Airstream to be. Any mechanical lock can be defeated... the value is making it hard for thieves. If you have a restored trailer worth tens of thousands of dollars, you may want to consider going whole hog and putting in a Lo Jack. I'm sure the system could be modified for RV use.

A few years back we were traveling in England (NO, not with our trailer...the bridge isn't open yet) and were amazed at all the travel trailers (caravans they call them) with 'boots' on their wheels. My cousin in Cornwall had one on theirs and it was parked in their fenced yard!
Neil.

[FreshAir]

Originally Posted by Hensley Ron

Just stencil "FEMA" on the front. No one will steal it then.

[FreshAir]

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, a good tongue lock or coupler lock helps.

Bob, and I thought all the time the orange cone was your deterent!
Neil

[bredlo]

Originally Posted by caadoptees

I finally got around to taking some pictures of what I do. Remember that nothing will deter the person that REALLY wants the trailer but I want to slow them down as much as possible. Here is the sequence.

I remove the hitch from the receiver. Put the ball in the trailer tongue and latch it. I think bring the chains from my equalizing bars up to the latch and put a padlock through them all. My father put some tangs to hang the bars on so the ends are near the front during storage. I then take my receiver lock and put it through the hitch and lock it.

The thief cannot simply hook up the the tongue. They cannot put the hitch in their receiver either.

Makes me feel better.

I like this idea - and given how often I forget things, it's nice to already have all your gear right there with the trailer, locked in place!

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by FreshAir

Bob, and I thought all the time the orange cone was your deterent!
Neil

Hi, Neil. The orange cones hide my coupler lock, protect my knees, and the rear bumpers on our cars when I park my fleet bumper to bumper for street sweeper day. I was thinking of making a sign that says: "WARNING, this trailer is equipted with Marathons, move at your own risk"

[bizetwo]

Just pull the little plastic plug from the electric brakes and put it in the trailer in your favorite spot. This will lock the brakes and make their escape quite difficult.

Louis

[Mikethefixit]

bizetwo
That little plug is not for parking. IT activates the electric brakes, and if left activated if may damage the brake system.
My response to the original question is what I use.
A U bolt type coupler lock,please don't make the mistake I did TWICE. I bought coupler locks online and when they arrived they would not fit my rolled lip coupler. I also use a lock in the latch mechanism. My next purchase will be lockable chocks that go between the tires that serves two purposes, it deters thieves and stops the rockin.
Roger

[Action]

Originally Posted by Mikethefixit

bizetwo
That little plug is not for parking. IT activates the electric brakes, and if left activated if may damage the brake system.

After the brake magnets are damaged (overheated) the battery will be drained if left unplugged for long enough. After that, the battery will be damaged from a continous large electric load application. After the battery fails the trailer will now roll easily, which leaves you with the original problem.

And you will need new brake magnets and a new battery.

Don't do this.

Action