Comments on: Curb Trailer Theft http://toolmonger.com/2008/08/22/curb-trailer-theft/ All tools. All the time. Your source for news, information, and reviews of hand tools, power tools, and tools of all kinds. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:47:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Eric http://toolmonger.com/2008/08/22/curb-trailer-theft/#comment-466855 Eric Sun, 24 Aug 2008 16:22:36 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=11541#comment-466855 I have one of these locks, they're not terribly secure, you can shim the catch with little more than a piece of aluminum can, or thin strap steel (depending on how beat up the catch spring on it is). I agree that the lock will really only protect you from the honest or the lazy, but a lot of times that's all you need. Further, at least where I'm located, attempting to make your stuff secure makes a huge difference if it is ever stolen and you need to make an insurance claim. I have one of these locks, they’re not terribly secure, you can shim the catch with little more than a piece of aluminum can, or thin strap steel (depending on how beat up the catch spring on it is). I agree that the lock will really only protect you from the honest or the lazy, but a lot of times that’s all you need. Further, at least where I’m located, attempting to make your stuff secure makes a huge difference if it is ever stolen and you need to make an insurance claim.

]]> By: tmib_seattle http://toolmonger.com/2008/08/22/curb-trailer-theft/#comment-465964 tmib_seattle Sun, 24 Aug 2008 03:57:47 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=11541#comment-465964 It seems like a wheel clamp might be a more effective option. It seems like a wheel clamp might be a more effective option.

]]> By: Geoff K. http://toolmonger.com/2008/08/22/curb-trailer-theft/#comment-463747 Geoff K. Sat, 23 Aug 2008 13:18:18 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=11541#comment-463747 Locks just keep honest people honest. If someone is serious enough to thwart a gizmo such as this, then they're "less than honest" to begin with, and will likely figure out some other way to get what it is they want. A lock on a door keeps someone from wandering into the space in a similar manner. This reduces the "crime of opportunity" chances, that's all. And often, that's enough. If there's something significantly valuable to the owner (the contents or the trailer itself), then stronger means of protecting it should be employed as mentioned above, all of which are good solutions. Locks just keep honest people honest. If someone is serious enough to thwart a gizmo such as this, then they’re “less than honest” to begin with, and will likely figure out some other way to get what it is they want. A lock on a door keeps someone from wandering into the space in a similar manner. This reduces the “crime of opportunity” chances, that’s all. And often, that’s enough. If there’s something significantly valuable to the owner (the contents or the trailer itself), then stronger means of protecting it should be employed as mentioned above, all of which are good solutions.

]]> By: Brau http://toolmonger.com/2008/08/22/curb-trailer-theft/#comment-463138 Brau Sat, 23 Aug 2008 10:00:09 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=11541#comment-463138 I can't see this product as being effective. I do the same as Rick, but realize that unless I clamp the wheels, a determined thief will just drag it away using chains. I can’t see this product as being effective. I do the same as Rick, but realize that unless I clamp the wheels, a determined thief will just drag it away using chains.

]]> By: KMR http://toolmonger.com/2008/08/22/curb-trailer-theft/#comment-461036 KMR Fri, 22 Aug 2008 23:02:19 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=11541#comment-461036 Our shop car hauling trailer has a wheel lock/clamp on either side. Same type of devise the police use to clamp your wheels for illegal parking, etc. Our shop car hauling trailer has a wheel lock/clamp on either side. Same type of devise the police use to clamp your wheels for illegal parking, etc.

]]> By: Toolaremia http://toolmonger.com/2008/08/22/curb-trailer-theft/#comment-460819 Toolaremia Fri, 22 Aug 2008 21:56:10 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=11541#comment-460819 I skip the hitch lock and go to a more extreme level: I bought some of that bright orange high-tensile strength chain. I run it through a wheel over the spring, around the suspension link, through the other spring, and come out the other wheel. Then I lock the chain with a #5 Master. Neither the chain nor lock can be cut with even huge bolt cutters. The chain is short enough the couldn't put on new wheels and throw the locked wheels on the trailer bed. They could still drag the trailer, but not far and it will attract attention. But I do like the additional idea of putting an old cut-off ball in the hitch. It's all about time, and that would slow the crooks down a little bit more. I skip the hitch lock and go to a more extreme level:

I bought some of that bright orange high-tensile strength chain. I run it through a wheel over the spring, around the suspension link, through the other spring, and come out the other wheel. Then I lock the chain with a #5 Master. Neither the chain nor lock can be cut with even huge bolt cutters. The chain is short enough the couldn’t put on new wheels and throw the locked wheels on the trailer bed. They could still drag the trailer, but not far and it will attract attention.

But I do like the additional idea of putting an old cut-off ball in the hitch. It’s all about time, and that would slow the crooks down a little bit more.

]]> By: Eli http://toolmonger.com/2008/08/22/curb-trailer-theft/#comment-460755 Eli Fri, 22 Aug 2008 21:38:50 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=11541#comment-460755 There's two other workarounds as well. U bolt a second hitch to the 'locked' one and use it, or cut the locked one off and install a new hitch. Locks stop the honest (or at least the lazy) There’s two other workarounds as well. U bolt a second hitch to the ‘locked’ one and use it, or cut the locked one off and install a new hitch. Locks stop the honest (or at least the lazy)

]]> By: Bill http://toolmonger.com/2008/08/22/curb-trailer-theft/#comment-460360 Bill Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:38:54 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=11541#comment-460360 We used a similar device, but as Rick pointed out that doesn't stop a determined thief. The thieves simply hooked up to the safety chains and dragged the trailer and vehicle off. We used a similar device, but as Rick pointed out that doesn’t stop a determined thief. The thieves simply hooked up to the safety chains and dragged the trailer and vehicle off.

]]> By: Rick http://toolmonger.com/2008/08/22/curb-trailer-theft/#comment-460133 Rick Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:34:35 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=11541#comment-460133 These locks are a good idea... but nothing would stop a determined thief! I just use a cheaper version... take an old ball hitch, cut off the threaded part of the shank, so you just have the ball. Put that up into the trailer tongue, latch it, and use your favorite trailer lock. Simple and cheaper! These locks are a good idea… but nothing would stop a determined thief! I just use a cheaper version… take an old ball hitch, cut off the threaded part of the shank, so you just have the ball. Put that up into the trailer tongue, latch it, and use your favorite trailer lock. Simple and cheaper!

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