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

[mikeinca]

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?

[tjdonahoe]

Better yet remove the wheels, if they want it, it is gone, buy lots of insurance..

[mikeinca]

Originally Posted by tjdonahoe

Better yet remove the wheels, if they want it, it is gone, buy lots of insurance..

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...

[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.

[Wingeezer]

Yep, I agree that adequate insurance is the way to go - I never lose sleep over possible theft !

[Shacksman]

I've never insured a trailer for loss. I figure they can't get them all so there will be one left for me.

[JMynes]

Three bolts and the jack is out of the way.

[mikeinca]

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.

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".

Originally Posted by JMynes

Three bolts and the jack is out of the way.

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....

[wulfraat]

Locking wheel chock is a simple approach. Enough of a deterrent for a thief to go look for a different / easier target perhaps...

[SeaLevel]

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.

[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.

[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.

[Caffeinated]

Put a gps locator on the roof of the trailer. Pretty good insurance against loss.

Mike

[Troutboy]

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.

[Ruscal]

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

[mikeinca]

Originally Posted by Ruscal

.....Also those California immobilizers can't possibly work. California will shake whenever she wants.
Russ

[paiceman]

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.

[r carl]

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

[RandyNH]

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...

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.

[Wingeezer]

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