What are you using to lock your boat trailers?
 

I am not entirely confident in the security of my marina so I am thinking I need a better lock. What are you guys using to make sure you keep your boat safe?

Trimax and Reese locks both in combination. Don't forget about your prop(s),. Boat on trailer?

gorilla trailer lock.

I use a Maximum Security tongue lock. Rumored to be the best available on numerous travel trailer sites.
http://www.etrailer.com/Locks/Diversi-Tech/DT25013.html

Made by Diversi-tech

I've had issues with similar type locks fitting on my coupler, even though they say for 2 5/16" balls. They often don't fit around the flange on the coupler.
Steve

Here's what I use...
http://www.etrailer.com/Locks,Hitch-...k/1481DAT.html

Let's face it though, if a thief wants it bad enough he'll get it.

I have not tried this lock on my travel trailer (2 5/16") coupler so I can't speak to that problem but most travel trailers have a 2 5/16" coupler and the travel trailer guys recommend this lock. Very substantial unit.

locked in the shop, when outside i run a cable thru one side of the rims keeps them from pulling it off easily.

x2
 

Lock on the coupler and a big-ol cable lock thru two wheels. The tougher you make it, the more likely they'll steal the one next to you.

I used that trick on my single axle trailer a number of years ago with a MasterLock cable. Then I found out how easy it was to part that bad boy when I forgot it one day. Hardly even felt it break. Kind of surprising actually.

I have the yellow Gorilla one that looks similar. If you turn them around backwards, they will fit. However they will bend right off with a few whacks of a sledge hammer.

I have a few options and a couple standards. I pad lock the hitch and have lug nut locks on each wheel. Then if I need more, I have an alpha wheel lock (think car boot like the meter maids put on) and a h/d cable lock I can run through all 3 wheels on one side. Because on the lug nut locks, I usually just throw the wheel lock on. Also, I have two spares mounted to the trailer w/ lug nut locks.

Masterlock and a tall fence. I don't store my boat on the trailer but when I do have it on the trailer I leave it hooked to the truck (dedicated tow vehicle and I have an ignition disable on it) and block the back of the boat with another vehicle or back it up to a building.

It's a pain in the butt,but if you dont use your trailer very often, take all the wheels off and let the trailer sit on blocks while your tires are in your garage. This will also keep the sunlight from messing up your tires.

I use these...they are a very good deterrent :D

A wicker chair and a Jeep?

I use coated chains thru the wheel spokes and then the frame. And a very heavy duty lock.

I'm much more passive than people think :D

That was rather funny, thanks for the laugh!

Your first picture of your Pit reminds me of a wise old man. Love the dogs!

I have been thinking about a security system for my garage

You can buy square link 3/8 chain that is damm near impossible to cut with bolt cutters and the biggest baddest master lock or two u can find. Will do the trick....lock the rims up

Ive tested trying to cut things myself to see how difficult it is. Most chains or cables will fall to a set of $40 lowes bolt cutters. Cheap locks can be tko`ed with a couple whacks of a hammer. Tounge locks are mostly crap and don't forget that even if u buy a bad a$$ one. Most couplers unbolt off the trailer with a half dozen bolts or less, so it'd be an easy swap to a coupler w/o a lock on it.

A determined thief will beat any type of lock, chain, or boot system. I think the OP would like to know the best system to slow them down or pick a lessor protected trailer/boat. Time is the thieves enemy.

I have a question might be off track a little!
Ok, Just a insurance question / thought along these lines?
Say you lock your boat up with a Kwickset dead bolt on your property 20 feet from your house overhead door locked from inside.
Got dog and guns and the garage is full frame not pole building.
Any Discount ??? :cartman:
Jim

Most definitely, nothing will stop a determined crook, you can only slow them down and hope that will be enough till the police arrive.

I can't remember mine was locked anytime other then road trips, Ya i know i should start locking it:poopoo:

Agreed with what everyone says. Locks keep honest people honest but anyone with real intent will find a way.

If they want it...they will get it. That is what insurance is for. Make sure it covers the loss, it will suck to lose it but at least you can replace it.

As for the "tough chains" ..... 5-10 seconds per cut with a battery powered cut off wheel.

5-10 seconds :poopoo:

Give it a whirl....im guessing more like 1 to 1.5 mins.

Which brings us back to what a thief is wanting.

Quickness
Ouietness
Darkness

That dewalt definitely isnt quiet or as quick as u might guess.

It's funny that most think thieves wait until the middle of a moonless night and come in like mission impossible.
Most time they pull up in the middle of a sunny day, slam and bang around like they own the place then drive off with it. After, all the neighbors get asked about it and all they say, "never paid attention" or "they look like everyone else".

fixx
 

A huge wasp nest in the tongue of the boat..:thankyouthankyou:

As mentioned earlier a Alpha wheel boot on every wheel will deter everyone.

A buddy had a setup that there was an eye at the back of every hub and he ran cable through it so if they did steal it they would not get far before all the wheels were locked up.You could not see it was locked if you did not know what to look for.

He lost an uninsured boat years before that .He never trusted his boat any where after that.

Only reason I said
Quick
Quiet
Dark
Is I used to know some shady cats and they used to tell me how to keep my stuff.

I.e. flood lights or flood lights with motion sensors mounted up high enough so the bulbs cant be unscrewed or easily knocked out with a rock. Signs stating the property is monitored, cameras or even faux cameras like the ones in northern tool. Things get pinched more often when they are near main roads or hwys vs residential or areas far away from hwys. even things like wiring your trailer lights way too short, and having a 5 or 6` extension for yourself can help. Nobody wants to take a trailer day or night w/o lights and risk getting pulled over.

Only things that'll get lifted in broad day light prob would have little or no security measures or locks from the get go.

Lo Jack or any other theft recovery system, only way to get it back, hopefully in one piece. If they want it, it is gone. I am not sure if it can be done for boats, however Lo Jack has a system now that if your vehicle moves, and the lo jack key fob is not in the vehicle, it will notify you via text message that your vehicle is moving.

:whistle:
Throw a heavy towel over this and you have very little sparks and sound. Hate to break it to you but in my business (heavy highway construction) we use these all the time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slWAb260Ehs

Check with Brad Schoenwald, he was/is selling galtrac, true 100% live updating and tracking for boats.

http://www.galtrac.com/

Not a pissin match here....

I agree w you...where theres a will theres a way in regards to anything.

Do that same test using a cordless dewalt and see how it goes.

Mine bogs down and the battery usually craps out.

I had a trailer that was stolen. Had a huge bulldog hitch lock and coupler lock. Also had chains through rims around the axles. The thieves cut everything off because each was accessible to the bolt cutters.

You have to use things that the thieves can't easily get bolt cutters or cutting wheels on.

for instance a boot:

http://www.universalboot.com/

in combination with:

http://www.etrailer.com/Locks/Master-Lock/378DAT.html

:bunnydance: All is good! :evilb:

I put a Bayliner sticker on it. Best defense against theft ever... :lolhit: