Trailer Security (Preventing unauthorized towing)

[ArtisanAir]

Your only FULL-PROOF WAY... Live in it full time and never leave the trailer. Unreasonable to most.

I agree, the further you go out of your way to prevent it the more prep work you must do when utilizing it. If you don't use it regularly then all of those things can be done and you can sleep at night. If you do use it often those preventive tasks just becomes a hassle. That is why most owners who care about this situation store them in a secured facility.

[tjdonahoe]

I have lots of insurance, if stolen I will get a new one, paying the difference...

[Protagonist]

If you store your trailer on property where you have the ability to mount your own cameras, then probably the best bet is to buy some trail cameras with motion sensors at Cabela's, and security enclosures to fit around the cameras to minimize vandalism of the cameras, and mount them where there's a good view of points of access to your trailer. Aim a camera at the trailer tongue as well and you can get pictures of anyone trying to hitch up the trailer.

Anyone triggering the camera's IR motion sensor will cause the camera to wirelessly send you a 90-second video directly to your smartphone, so even if you're not present you can catch them in the act.

That won't keep people from breaking into or stealing the trailer, but it will allow you to positively identify who did it, which can help you get your stuff back.

[ArtisanAir]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

If you store your trailer on property where you have the ability to mount your own cameras, then probably the best bet is to buy some trail cameras with motion sensors at Cabela's, and security enclosures to fit around the cameras to minimize vandalism of the cameras, and mount them where there's a good view of points of access to your trailer. Aim a camera at the trailer tongue as well and you can get pictures of anyone trying to hitch up the trailer.

Anyone triggering the camera's IR motion sensor will cause the camera to wirelessly send you a 90-second video directly to your smartphone, so even if you're not present you can catch them in the act.

That won't keep people from breaking into or stealing the trailer, but it will allow you to positively identify who did it, which can help you get your stuff back.

Good Idea... Cheap and effective

[goofus delux]

Although this is clearly a video to promote one particular lock, I found it helpful and actually bought the Husky 39594 as a result:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kWm...ature=youtu.be

I also use a Trimax TCL65 Wheel Chock Lock.

[rideair]

Not sure why this would be a problem. Like Andy said: Jack it up, take the wheels off, put them in you house. When you're ready to travel, it will take less than twenty minutes to roll them out and put them on.

If someone is willing to bring wheels/tires, jacks, lug wrenches, lug nuts, etc... to steal your trailer, they need it more than you do!

Problem Solved

Enjoy,

[paiceman]

Andy should know, but I would not want to jack up and AS for a long period of time resting on supports.

I put a hitch lock box over the hitch on the trailer, I lock with a Kyptonite cable both sets of wheels together and lock them with Kyptonite barrel keyed locks. Then I remove the fuse from the electric jack. Several units have been stolen over the years from the public storage facility where ours is stored and ours has been touched, they removed the cover I have over the hitch assembly and apparently try the electric hitch and nothing happens they move on.

Bud

[ArtisanAir]

Originally Posted by paiceman

Andy should know, but I would not want to jack up and AS for a long period of time resting

What the logical answer on why? If your surface is stable and you don't add excessive weight, I don't see issue with keeping the tires off of the ground. Just curious. ....

[dznf0g]

I keep mine on 4 jack stands placed at the front and rear of the axle plate all winter, every winter. Not a problem at all.

[DreamStreamr]

We try to keep the truck parked in front of it and not hitched together. That'll slow 'em down.


Dreamstreamr
2005 International CCD 25SS
http://Dreamstreamr.com

[ArtisanAir]

Since were on the topic

I've had to be cleaver opening padlocks when we lost the keys on job sites in the past. One quick and quiet way to open a single or double latch padlock (combination or key) is to use a aluminum can. Yes an aluminum can... By cutting a shim out of the can that slides into the latch and covers the D-tint of the latch releasing the latch in the process. Don't believe me? Google it, its all over the internet and has been for years. I would assume your Reese coupler lock can be shimmed also be never tried. Trust me when you try this and see how simple it is you will never trust a standalone padlock again.

[Hittenstiehl]

Always good to post a means of bypassing security when talking about security. lets not give anyone ideas they may not already have as we know all our methods are just deterrents.

[markdoane]

Step 1. Don't enable. Remove beer cans and scissors from the immediate vicinity of your padlock.

[rideair]

So, do all beer drinkers steal trailers or do those that steal trailers become beer drinkers?

Oh, the questions that keep me up at night ;-)

Enjoy,

[ArtisanAir]

Originally Posted by Hittenstiehl

Always good to post a means of bypassing security when talking about security. lets not give anyone ideas they may not already have as we know all our methods are just deterrents.

As stated before this information was readily available EVERYWHERE ONLINE years before I posted this. The reasons are to inform anyone that a simple padlock is not only easy but quiet to unlock (and also then re-lock without you even knowing unlike cutters)! This could be pulled off next to adjacent campers without them even knowing.

I do not breed thievery, Ignorance can get you in trouble sometimes. You must be aware of these avenues to help with insight on preventive measures. That is the reason for this post!

IMO padlocks are worthless! Just saying

[Omega Man]

Wheel boot and a guard cat.

[kb0zke]

Remember that a determined thief can steal anything. About all we can do is make the job difficult enough that the thief will decide to go elsewhere. That's why most people carry insurance. After all, even an heirloom Airstream is still just a mechanical device, not a person. It, and all the stuff inside it, can be replaced.

[cwf]

Put on blocks, remove wheels..

[streaminwild]

Originally Posted by Hittenstiehl

Always good to post a means of bypassing security when talking about security. lets not give anyone ideas they may not already have as we know all our methods are just deterrents.

Thieves already know how to steal. ArtiasanAir is informing us how they do it. We can make educated investments if we know how they think.You tube is the teacher of all,... good and bad. I've thrown out two trailer locks because of that site. The cable lock is good for bicycles not trailers tires. I found that out the easy way..not that I'm forgetful or anything

[ArtisanAir]

Originally Posted by streaminwild

Thieves already know how to steal. ArtiasanAir is informing us how they do it. We can make educated investments if we know how they think.You tube is the teacher of all,... good and bad. I've thrown out two trailer locks because of that site. The cable lock is good for bicycles not trailers tires. I found that out the easy way..not that I'm forgetful or anything

Thank you for understanding my post. Just like police, you must actively research how crime is committed to combat it. You sometimes should think like a thief to brainstorm the possible ways of obtaining your possessions, then proactively plan preventive measures. If you are oblivious to how they do it, well.... you'll be a victim eventually. What you don't know may make your trailer disappear one day . Nobody should go through that experience . I've said enough.