ball hitch lock suggestions

[jujustad]

Hi,
I want to get something to lock the ball hitch on our new trailer. I would like to, at least, slow a thief down a little when they decide to steal the new Cougar. Any suggestions for a good quality lock?
Thanks!
Julie

[hankaye]

jujustad, Howdy;

A quick google search found this;

http://www.masterlock.com/products/product_subcategories.jsp?lockStyle=Keyed&typeOfEnvironment=Outdoors&lockUpValue=High&category=MLCOM_TowingSecurity

hankaye

[chuck&gail]

When hooked up, I just use a padlock.

When unhooked, you need to cover the space where the ball goes with a lock. That is because common way to steal is to use 1 7/8 ball in a locked coupler and just drive off after wrapping chains around hitch. No need to unlkock if only a padlock was used to secure.

[JRTJH]

I have three of these, one for my boat trailer, one for the snowmobile trailer and one for the utility trailer. Yeah, I just realized I'm "trailer poor".... but anyway, these fit in the ball socket and over the unlocking lever. When installed, they will prevent hitching of any kind. And the shank of the lock is about 7/16" thick, so without a HUGE bolt cutter, it's staying in place. About $25 at WalMart, for me, it definitely provides peace of mind.....

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Reese-Towpower-Universal-Coupler-Lock/15125814

[drifter101]

Check with these guys:
http://www.hitchanything.com/

[sagebel]

This is what I used until a buddy had his construction trailer stollen with the same lock installed. I still use the lock but I will also chain two wheels together as well.

http://www.masterlock.com/products/product_details/379ATPY

[hankaye]

jujustad, Howdy;

If ya didn't find anything yet try one of these;

http://www.universalboot.com

hankaye

[curlyfungirl]

Thats a good idea. When our rig is at home I keep the ol 76 silverado parked in front of it. Takes thirty minutes to get that thing started and the whole neighborhood can hear it! It would be awful to come home to an empty campsite. Does that happen frequently?

[Festus2]

A regular, average-sized padlock will not do much to deter thieves. It may, as one poster said, "slow them down" but only for a few seconds. To illustrate my point ........
Just over a month ago, I had my 16ft aluminium boat, 25 HP motor and tailer stolen from our back yard during the night while we were home. I had three - yes 3 - padlocks in use: 1 on the chain link fence gate, 1 on the trailer tongue, and another on a thick cable which went through the trailer wheel onto the trailer body.
All three locks were cut using a bolt cutter. Snip. Snip. Snip. Everything gone. In and out.
Moral: Regular padlocks are pretty much a waste of money. Get something HUGE that renders bolt cutters useless. Spend the $$$ and get a really good lock system.

[lorax614]

Most locks are only a deterant, only slow a thief down a bit. between bolt cutters and cordless angle grinders most locks, including hardened locks and cables can be defeated quickly. Years ago I had a utility trailer with a compact backhoe on it, when I would leave it parked where I was worried about theft I disconnect the fuel solinoid on the tractor and remove both tires on one side of the trailer. A real PITA but it made stealing quite hard, but not impossible.