Coupler lock recommendation

[davidlaxson]

My 1972 31' Land Yacht has a 2 5/16 hitch with wide flanges. I've already bought and had to return a coupler lock because it wouldn't fit around the rolled lip or flange. Has anyone else had luck buying a lock for their trailer ?

P.S - My 12 gauge works wonders, but I'm looking for somthing to work when I'm not around !!!!!

David

[wallybyam]

For my trailer I sawed the threaded shank off a 2 5/16" ball. I place the shankless ball into the hitch ball pocket, lower the release latch and lock it with a good padlock. While this won't prevent theft (none of the locks will), it will certainly slow a potential thief down. He will at least have to have tools to cut or break the lock.

[Pahaska]

I use a massive cast coupler lock that fits up inside the ball cavity and covers the area completely. A thick pin rests on top the flange and one of the disk-shaped padlocks goes through the end of the pin. There is no place that a bolt cutter can reach the padlock bar. It is about as foolproof a lock as one can ask for.

here is the best photo I have at the moment.

[Kistler]

Good luck in your search. Even the dealer (Dillons in Apache Junction) didn't have one that would fit my hitch.

With my present method of leaving the ball (and bar) attached and locked to the coupler--hitching up by aligning with the receiver bar-- I am sort of using the same method as leaving a cut-off ball in the locked coupler.

[FireFighter]

Can i get your address and work schedules please

[Kistler]

Fifefighter, what did you have in mind? Brenda does very little cooking at home or on-the-road.

Kistler

[FireFighter]

I was planning on getting an upgraded A/S when you where not around. if i read your post you leave the full hookup in place all i have to do is back up to you TT and whola I am the proud owner of an 02 A/S. i was just poking a little fun at you.

[Kistler]

Aaaah, and here I thought you were after food--corn on the cob. I guess you have a point but it would be more difficult than it seems, to hook-up.

Our tt is in secure covered storage (managers live on premises) and the 12-volt is off, so the electric jack will not work....so you'd have to bring your own jack or the thingamajig that lets you operate the jack by hand--which I do not understand.

My neighbors (in storage) are very disinterested in our little Airstream....most of them have at least 35 ft. of MH/5th wheel.

Maybe, however, I should reconsider.....okay where do I buy a hitch lock?

Kistler

[KIMILI]

We found the best deals, for both coupler locks and hitch locks here:

www.tjtrailers.com/locks

They have models from master lock. Ours work great but we're still wary so we're probably going to add the lo-jack. Special offers this month with your amex, almost 30% off!

[Tin Hut]

Even with a hitch lock, a pickup or truck can pull up to the trailer, winch the fork up, chain the frame onto the truck and be off. They don't have to hitch up to get it down the road. An extra dose of security it to lock the wheel with a device that also covers part of the lugs so they can't take off the wheel to defeat the lock. I found a gray aluminum pincer type lock that sort of blends in with the trailer so it doesn't look like you just got booted for parking in a no parking zone.

[KIMILI]

I found a gray aluminum pincer type lock that sort of blends in with the trailer so it doesn't look like you just got booted for parking in a no parking zone.

Sounds good. Where did you find it? Any pics? Costs?...

[Tin Hut]

Got it online from Pitbull Tirelock. I'd do a search and their website should pop up. I think their in the Phoenix area. It was pricy but I justified it against the thought of theft. Although getting it stolen is unlikely, I enjoy camping more when I can go hiking or leave the trailer and go into town with more peace of mind. It is fairly easy to set up, like a bip pincer that close around the tire. I suggest the optional hub cover so that no one can get the lug nuts off. This was the only wheel lock that I could find that did not go thru the wheel which would not work on my '67 Tradewind with baby moons. If you've got the wheels with thru spaces you will have more options. The lock was around $300 plus I ordered the cover and more keys in case I lost one. Ironically, my digital camera was stolen so I can't take a pic to send.

[Pahaska]

The lock is made by Blaylock. I don''t remember who I ordered it through.

I'm not really worried about anyone chaining the trailer to their truck to steal it. They first have to get the jack up without power, get it out of the lighted storage yard with cameras everywhere, and then tow it a considerable distance on a hilly highway to some place where they could conceal it.

[John]

How about using the Denver Boot????

[gregg]

I have a MASTERLOCK #35 on my 71SLY/2 5/16. If you can get this to fit it's a great solution.

[jaco]

Pahaska are you positive it is Blalock?

I ran a couple searches and came up empty.

Did you buy it in Austin area?

[Pahaska]

Originally posted by jaco
Pahaska are you positive it is Blalock?

I ran a couple searches and came up empty.

Did you buy it in Austin area?

I bought it off the internet. Too long ago to remember from who. Seems that I remember it was shipped from Idaho. I tried a search and apparently it wasn't listed on the internet under "Blalock", but that name is cast into the lock body. I do remember that I found it on one of the sites listed in a post by JPAIRSTREAM, though.

I'll check the name again and get a closer photo when I go out to the trailer this morning. We're to go below 25 tonight and I want to blow out the water lines once more and make sure that the pump has no water in it.

[hohne]

I think it is a Blaylock lock -- I found them with a google search...

Just a spelling thing...

Rob

[Pahaska]

Originally posted by hohne
I think it is a Blaylock lock -- I found them with a google search...

Just a spelling thing...

Rob

You are right. The model I have is TL-33. It fit both my former International and my current Classic couplers very well. I use one of the "discus" shaped padlocks like their TL-45 lock that are almost impossible to get a saw on. It would take a sledgehammer or a whole lot of sawing on that 3/4" steel pin to get it off the coupler.

[mcneon]

If you have a battery and electric brakes on your trailer, here's another theft deterrent to consider. Install a cheap alarm system with a motion detector (tilt switch), and wire one of the alarm's outputs to energize the trailer brakes.

When someone hooks up and tries to drive away, the siren will sound and the brakes will lock up. Then you can follow the two black streaks to where your trailer was left. If your would-be thieves get spooked, you might even get a free tow vehicle out of the deal!

Bob McKeown
Whose race trailer was stolen last summer, but who vows "Never again!"