Locking the jack post: is this a good/bad idea?

[Shiny16]

Originally Posted by JMynes

Three bolts and the jack is out of the way.

Or one sledge hammer.

[Shiny16]

Originally Posted by Wingeezer

If I were a thief, I think I would travel with my Honda 2000 gennie and an angle grinder with cut off wheels!

If you convert it to propane you could use the owners lp connection. That would be most convenient.

[Wingeezer]

Originally Posted by Shiny16

If you convert it to propane you could use the owners lp connection. That would be most convenient.

Haha - good idea, maybe we should set up as partners in crime!

[wulfraat]

Originally Posted by RandyNH

Would you mind sharing what info you have on the product in the top photo, I have not seen that particular model before.

I searched google for "wheel chock RV lock" and found that product.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Camco...w&gclsrc=aw.ds

Google is your friend

[hhendrix]

Originally Posted by wulfraat

I searched google for "wheel chock RV lock" and found that product.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Camco...w&gclsrc=aw.ds

Google is your friend

I don't think that is a very secure setup. About 30 seconds with my 18 volt sawzall and it's gone. I think it's meant more for stability more than for security.

[Rocinante]

Originally Posted by r carl

Most padlocks can be removed in 5 seconds with a cheap bolt cutter.

The key word here is "most." You haven't seen our padlock.

[Troutboy]

Show us a picture of your padlock!!!!! Inquiring minds want to know.

[r carl]

Originally Posted by Wingeezer

If I were a thief, I think I would travel with my Honda 2000 gennie and an angle grinder with cut off wheels!

A cordless 4 1/2 angle grinder with a cutoff wheel is best.

[r carl]

Originally Posted by Rocinante

The key word here is "most." You haven't seen our padlock.

That's why I said most so I wouldn't get hammered on here.

[Wingeezer]

Originally Posted by r carl

A cordless 4 1/2 angle grinder with a cutoff wheel is best.

And I have several 4 and 5 AH Dewalt batteries!

[h2ocoolerman]

I'm not sure why some people must be jerks when someone asks a legit question. I think there's no harm in doing little things to discourage easy theft. I think locking the jack is not a bad thing. I hadn't thought of that. I use a vault box and a good lock on the release. One could put a wheel boot on I suppose. If someone is determined and have time they will take it. I think it's a responsible think to do to make it as hard as possible within reason to secure against theft. Besides who wants to go through the insurance claims process anyway. Of course for me it's my home. Getting it stolen would be a big bummer.

[thiel]

Originally Posted by Rocinante

In addition to a hitch lock (CA Immobilizer) I run a large padlock through the trailer chains so they can't be used without additional pain-in-the-neck effort. Again, I know that if they want it and they have enough time they will take it, but I don't have to outrun the bear. I only have to outrun the other trailers' theft-prevention efforts, many of which are fairly pathetic.

This is a great and simple idea I had not heard before!

[mikeinca]

I appreciate everyone's feedback. I probably misspoke when I used the word "agonizing" in my original post....I'm not stressed over this. But I agree with h2ocoolerman's statements above that it does no harm to take small, reasonable steps to try and avoid the hassle of dealing with insurance and the other inconveniences, especially when travelling, that come with getting something stolen.

It was mentioned that taking out the jack fuse was an alternative to padlocking the jack post. A good idea, but of course if someone has a manual crank they can operate the jack anyway. Which illustrates the point; no matter what precautions you take, someone can always find a way around them. The idea, IMHO, is to make taking MY particular AS just a little more difficult than taking the next guy's trailer. As Rocinante pointed out in his post, you don't have to outrun the bear....

[BlakeNelson]

I installed a "Coupler Vault Pro" (megahitchlock.com) on our 22fb for peace of mind in our driveway and campsites. Easy to use,and I think it would be really difficult to remove unless you had a lot of time. Enjoy your new AS.

[sallye]

We have the same concern but for a different reason. We store our AS on our lot, which is very close to the local high school. We are so close that the kids congregate on our street for fire drills and walk by on their way to and from school. I was afraid that one of the kids decide to "play" with the up/down switches on the jack. And since we usually have the stabilizers down, they could do some damage. So, we just open the battery box and disconnect the leads. We also lock the battery box with two large locks, so you can't just reattach the battery leads.

No battery connection, no working jack. Simple!

[Rocinante]

Sounds like a good simple bit of extra insurance against silliness, Sallye. I like it.

[mikeinca]

Originally Posted by sallye

We have the same concern but for a different reason. We store our AS on our lot, which is very close to the local high school. We are so close that the kids congregate on our street for fire drills and walk by on their way to and from school. I was afraid that one of the kids decide to "play" with the up/down switches on the jack. And since we usually have the stabilizers down, they could do some damage. So, we just open the battery box and disconnect the leads. We also lock the battery box with two large locks, so you can't just reattach the battery leads.

No battery connection, no working jack. Simple!

That's a good solution for your situation, sallye, and does prevent someone from screwing with the jack (no pun intended). My concern is about leaving the trailer unattended in camp while vacationing. If I disconnected the battery I'd lose power to the fridge which wouldn't be ideal. Maybe I'll just remove the jack fuse as suggested earlier; not ideal but one more small obstacle for a thief to deal with.

[ericpeltier]

Originally Posted by Shiny16

If you convert it to propane you could use the owners lp connection. That would be most convenient.

This forum has SOLUTIONS-MINDED people, for sure!

[Streamracer]

A few years back some would have their WBCCI numbers put on the top so the police could spot the trailer from the air. Ofcourse that doesn't help stop the theft, it might help recover it be for it got very far.

[MelGoddard]

Originally Posted by cliffcharb

Locking wheel chocks. I have a pair of aluminum ones used as stabilizers. Only lock them when the trailer is parked at home though.

I DO L ock them at the 'camp spot' to stabilize the trailer, and to discourage theft of the trailer or the locks themselves.