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04-20-2017, 03:31 PM
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#1
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Rivet Master
2020 25' Globetrotter
Santa Rosa
, California
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,846
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Locking the jack post: is this a good/bad idea?
Apologies in advance for the long lead in, but I've been agonizing over the options for securing our 2017 Flying Cloud from theft. I think I understand most of the issues around this topic, the primary one being that if a thief really wants your trailer, and has sufficient time and the right equipment, he will get it. Despite that, and despite the fact that the trailer is well insured, I'd like to be able to discourage at least the more casual bad guy from stealing our new Airstream.
I think I've settled on the California Immobilizer for a coupler lock; it looks like it should be reasonably effective and isn't too outrageously priced. But someone could still use my safety chains or even attach their own chains to drag the trailer to someplace where they could work on it at their leisure, so I've been thinking about various ways to help prevent that and looking at other forum member's posts on the subject.
One simple and cost effective thing that occurred to me, that I haven't seen mentioned, would be to run a padlock through the top visible adjustment hole on the jack post so that the jack can't be raised out of the way. It seems that would make dragging the trailer away more difficult and add one more complication to a potential heist of my trailer. Any thoughts whether this might or might not be a useful idea?
__________________
Mike
2020 25' Globetrotter Twin | 2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali Ult. 4x4 Duramax
400Ah Battle Born lithium battery string | 580W solar (400W roof 180W portable)
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04-20-2017, 03:37 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2013 31' Classic
billings
, Montana
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,577
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Better yet remove the wheels, if they want it, it is gone, buy lots of insurance..
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04-20-2017, 03:44 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2020 25' Globetrotter
Santa Rosa
, California
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,846
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tjdonahoe
Better yet remove the wheels, if they want it, it is gone, buy lots of insurance..
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I was looking for something slightly less drastic when parked at a campsite. The trailer is pretty safe at home.
I realize there is no perfect solution. I'm just trying to improve the odds somewhat, at reasonable cost and effort...
__________________
Mike
2020 25' Globetrotter Twin | 2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali Ult. 4x4 Duramax
400Ah Battle Born lithium battery string | 580W solar (400W roof 180W portable)
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04-20-2017, 04:00 PM
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#4
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3 Rivet Member
2013 20' Flying Cloud
Between Here and There and Nowhere
, what have you got?
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 146
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If one is going to own "stuff", causing worry and anxiety over possible loss of said "stuff", then why have "stuff" in the first place? It's a question of balance. If it ( whatever that 'it' is) causes diminishing returns on your happiness, then why have it? How many locks and chains, alarms and cameras will it take to find your peace?
Go for the insurance and sleep at night.
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04-20-2017, 04:08 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2005 30' Classic
Burlington
, Ontario
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,743
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Yep, I agree that adequate insurance is the way to go - I never lose sleep over possible theft !
__________________
Brian & Connie Mitchell
2005 Classic 30'
Hensley Arrow / Centramatics
2008 GMC Sierra SLT 2500HD,4x4,Crew Cab, Diesel, Leer cap.
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04-20-2017, 04:56 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1960 28' Ambassador
Vintage Kin Owner
1998 25' Safari
Avonton
, Ontario
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,331
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I've never insured a trailer for loss. I figure they can't get them all so there will be one left for me.
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Doug & Terry
VAC - TAC ON-1
60 Ambassador Int.
1950 Spartan
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04-20-2017, 05:03 PM
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#7
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4 Rivet Member
Chelsea
, Maine
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 380
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Three bolts and the jack is out of the way.
__________________
2023 Entegra Odyssey 26M
2017 FC 27FB
2017 F250 Lariat Crew Cab 6.2L
Equal-I-Zer 10K/1000
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04-20-2017, 05:22 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2020 25' Globetrotter
Santa Rosa
, California
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,846
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Quote:
Originally Posted by openroad118
If one is going to own "stuff", causing worry and anxiety over possible loss of said "stuff", then why have "stuff" in the first place? It's a question of balance. If it ( whatever that 'it' is) causes diminishing returns on your happiness, then why have it? How many locks and chains, alarms and cameras will it take to find your peace?
Go for the insurance and sleep at night.
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Thanks for the feedback; I fully understand the need to find a balance between paranoia over losing possessions and not caring at all about what happens to my expensive trailer, cars, etc.
I have insurance; IMHO it would be imprudent not to. But even though insured items can be replaced there are inevitable hassles, replacement delays, ruined vacations, and so forth that can result from having a trailer stolen. If reasonable and economical precautions can reduce, though not eliminate that risk, why not take them?
To get back to the point, I was just curious as to whether locking the jack post might make it more difficult to steal the trailer. It seems like it would but maybe I'm missing something, hence my question. I didn't intend to start a philosophical discussion about the validity of caring about what happens to my "stuff".
Quote:
Originally Posted by JMynes
Three bolts and the jack is out of the way.
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Just saw your post. It's one more thing a thief would have to do, but still a good point and one I hadn't thought of....
__________________
Mike
2020 25' Globetrotter Twin | 2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali Ult. 4x4 Duramax
400Ah Battle Born lithium battery string | 580W solar (400W roof 180W portable)
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04-20-2017, 06:03 PM
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#9
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Site Team
2017 30' International
Broomfield
, Colorado
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,555
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Locking the jack post: is this a good/bad idea?
Locking wheel chock is a simple approach. Enough of a deterrent for a thief to go look for a different / easier target perhaps...
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04-20-2017, 06:09 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2016 25' Flying Cloud
Jupiter
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,140
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ETA: See above.
You could use x-chocks with a lock. They help as a stabilizer and would provide one more thing to help lessen the chance of theft. https://www.amazon.com/BAL-28015-Pad.../dp/B002P2XGL6
I do agree though, that you shouldn't stress too much about it.
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04-20-2017, 07:16 PM
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#11
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4 Rivet Member
2021 16' Bambi
2021 22' Bambi
Currently Looking...
North Port
, Florida
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 331
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Locking wheel chocks. I have a pair of aluminum ones used as stabilizers. Only lock them when the trailer is parked at home though.
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04-20-2017, 09:37 PM
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#12
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Living Riveted since 2013
2016 Interstate Lounge Ext
Green Cove Springs
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 8,210
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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.
__________________
Rocinante Piccolo is our new-to-us 2016 Interstate Lounge 3500 EXT
(Named for John Steinbeck's camper from "Travels With Charley")
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04-20-2017, 09:44 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2015 27' Flying Cloud
Newberg
, Oregon
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 1,052
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Put a gps locator on the roof of the trailer. Pretty good insurance against loss.
Mike
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04-20-2017, 09:59 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2017 23' Flying Cloud
Parker
, Colorado
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,772
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I use the proven Industries coupler lock, standard locks around chains, and the Brahma Wheel lock. I love the wheel lock, easy to use, I don't see how a thief can easily get this thing off.
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Thanks,
Troutboy
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04-20-2017, 10:11 PM
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#15
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3 Rivet Member
2008 19' Bambi
Carlsbad
, California
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 125
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You could put a hitch lock or similar through the jack leg, but I would worry that I would forget the lock was there and hit the down button and crash the jack. It could damage the jack.
Also those California immobilizers can't possibly work. California will shake whenever she wants.
Russ
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04-20-2017, 11:32 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2020 25' Globetrotter
Santa Rosa
, California
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,846
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ruscal
.....Also those California immobilizers can't possibly work. California will shake whenever she wants.
Russ
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__________________
Mike
2020 25' Globetrotter Twin | 2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali Ult. 4x4 Duramax
400Ah Battle Born lithium battery string | 580W solar (400W roof 180W portable)
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04-21-2017, 04:22 AM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2020 28' Flying Cloud
Upper St Clair
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,943
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One could simply pull the fuse on the jack which would accomplish basically the same thing as a lock but costs nothing.
I like some others insure my trailer(s) and just don't worry about it, except when we leave our dogs in the trailer, which in many parks we have been to we simply do not do, we go they go. Plus theft insurance is not expensive in my opinion.
__________________
2020 28' Twin Flying Cloud
2021 F350 6.7 King Ranch
USAF Master Training Instructor (TI) & (MTI)- 68-72
Volunteer K9 Rehabilitator & Trainer
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04-21-2017, 05:19 AM
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#18
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Rivet Master
Vintage Kin Owner
Lin
, Ne
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,430
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Most padlocks can be removed in 5 seconds with a cheap bolt cutter.
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The higher your expectations the fewer your options.
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04-21-2017, 06:05 AM
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#19
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Rivet Master
Lakes Region
, New Hampshire
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 815
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wulfraat
Locking wheel chock is a simple approach. Enough of a deterrent for a thief to go look for a different / easier target perhaps...
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Would you mind sharing what info you have on the product in the top photo, I have not seen that particular model before.
mikeinca - generally all to can do is use as much and as many brightly colored theft deterrent products available, so they look and figure it's not worth it and then hope for the best and pay your insurance premiums. Depending upon where your biggest concerns of theft are, keep in mind that the harder it is to park the harder it is to get out. I read one guy who lives in an area that is bad, got a trailer valet so that he could unhitch and then use that to pull the trailer in frontwards to put the coupler right up against the house, not much more effective than that.
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04-21-2017, 06:17 AM
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#20
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Rivet Master
2005 30' Classic
Burlington
, Ontario
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,743
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If I were a thief, I think I would travel with my Honda 2000 gennie and an angle grinder with cut off wheels!
__________________
Brian & Connie Mitchell
2005 Classic 30'
Hensley Arrow / Centramatics
2008 GMC Sierra SLT 2500HD,4x4,Crew Cab, Diesel, Leer cap.
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