Hitch Lock

[SilverCabin]

In the February 2008 Blue Beret, Herb Quade says, "Be sure the coupler is secured with an easily removed pin - not a padlock or nut and bolt...." I have been securing mine with a padlock (see photo 1). At the FL State Rally, I bought a hitch "safety pin" (see photo 2) from Airstream for $1.50.

I guess the thought is that you could more quickly disconnect the trailer and tow vehicle in an emergency with the safety pin. However, with the WD bars attached, along with the umbilical, breakaway cable, and safety chains, there doesn't look like there is any possibility of a quick disconnect. Just getting the WD bars off would require you to jack the tongue or risk a broken leg when the bar snaps out. Seems to me that running away from both is the best action to take.

So, I don't understand the recommendation. Anyone have any thoughts?

Randy

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, I don't understand either. I guess it could be quicker if you just removed the hitch lock, but you still have to remove the safety chains, power cord, and brake cable. I'll keep my coupler latch lock. Who's in a hurry and for what?

[dwightdi]

Actually, I think the original rule was established for the International saying "there shall be no lock on the coupler." What I think the original rule assumed, the TV would not be attached to the trailer and they wanted some way to move the trailer (if the trailer owner was not around) such as emergancy situation. At a big long rally, like the International, most people disconnect their tow vehicle because they need to use it to get around. Situations change but WBCCI rules (with inflexible old people reinforcing them) creat unintended problems.

[DreamStreamr]

This amused me again at International 2008. We overheard someone who apparently was cited for a locked coupler. The Club needs to pull our trailer where and how? What emergency will who save what from?

We were packed in so tightly in our area (red2). If our neighbor's or our towvee was in its place there would be no moving either trailer.

But if the Club is serious about this, they can do what a dealer recently suggested they would do to manage my trailer -- they sometimes use an undersized ball that will clear the coupler latch no matter if locked or not.

To address the thread, if all the stars lined up perfectly and you could get chains off and jack the trailer off the ball (my coupling jack is slooooow) maybe you could get away in the towvee. Very silly to take this risk if there is a safety threat. Like, don't try to collect your possessions in a burning house, right?

[TBRich]

Huh? Interesting...I love it when powers that be pronounce a "rule" with no explanation or rationale to explain it...it's like saying, "Do it because I said to...that's all you need to know."

It doesn't matter if the coupling lever is locked or not if a coupler lock is in use...and we always use a coupler lock...whether it's in a camp ground or behind closed gates at our home.

What's the bumper sticker say?...oh yeah..."Question Authority"

I guess I must be feeling feisty tonight.

[purman]

Yeah, great rule,, Some rules are just made to be broken!!!!!!

Especially really really dumb ones......

[SilverCabin]

I had a chance to talk with Herb about this some more. The thought is really not to make a quick disconnect, because that's nearly impossible with a WD anti-sway hitch, but in the event of a disaster to help first responders disconnect the two vehicles without having to cut a lock. At the 2008 International, my coupler was locked as shown in Post #1 and nobody said anything to me. While we were towing on our recently completed 10,500 mile trip, it was secured with the "Safety Pin" as shown in the other photo in Post #1.

BTW: My storage facility parks the trailers for you in the barn. They use an undersize ball to pick up the tongue while it is locked as above.

Randy

[bhilley]

We recently purchased a 23' Safari - being a 'newbie' I have a question - what do you recommend as far as a lock for the hitch for the ball so someone can't hook up to it and take off with it. I have tried serveral 'universal' locks and none of them will fit. Thank you! Belinda

[purman]

Check out this thread there are some good pics of what to buy and how to use them..http://www.airforums.com/forums/f164...nds-44528.html

[JimGolden]

This is outrageous. You still have to actually RAISE the tongue off the ball to pull out if you're coupled. And if you're not, let the thing burn to the ground. Get away from it and save yourself. You can always buy another trailer...can't buy another you!

Oh yeah, I ALWAYS lock my hitch to the tongue so that it doesn't sprout legs and walk away. Sure, it's only a $600 hitch (mail order), but it's MY $600 hitch. If a guy wants to knock the pin out of the tongue to steal it that badly, he can take the whole rig. But so far so good.

These guys need to bug off.

[3 Dog Nite]

The thought of saving your trailer if it has to be moved in an emergency makes sense. How will they get a number of TV's in a tight area to move all of the packed sardine cans so quickly? Surely a number of trailers can't be moved quickly if only 1 TV is used. Boy won't I throw a monkey wrench into the equation with my MH. Don't think I'll be leaving it unlocked w/ keys in ignition if I'm not there.

[overlander63]

Me being the stubborn cuss I am, I won't go anywhere they tell me I have to leave the hitch unlocked. I left the hitch locked at every WBCCI rally we ever attended, and no one said anything to me about it.
They tried desperately to make me take down my Airstream dealer flag, though. Their attempts were unsuccessful.

[SteveH]

I use a combination lock on the hitch, and a keyed lock pin on the receiver. The way I figure it, when THEY pay for the trailer and the costs to travel with it, then THEY can decide how the hitch should be secured. But, that's kind of guy I am!

[xrvr]

Remember these rules are enforced by mostly MH owners. zz

[mustang]

I never lock mine to my tow vehicle, and was always told not to lock it at the big rallies. I do make it a point to meet my neighbors, I also let them know when I leave and return if they are out, I wasnt surprised , when they shared with me the same, after I spoke up. This is a sorry world anymore isnt it. (theft) But for a fire, or other emergency, If I am not there, I hope they move it for me. I can see both veiws though