OK, apologies in advance I this is a silly question. I did a quick search here but it did not help me.So my hubby, who officially gets Husband of the Year award for 2014, surprised me at Christmas with a brand spanking new 2015 Hawk 2 horse straight load gooseneck with a few extra bells and whistles on it . It is my first gooseneck trailer, and the first trailer I have ever owned that someone might actually want to steal. I am wondering if there is some sort of lock that goes on the gooseneck hitch to make it harder to steal? I will call the dealer tomorrow and ask her what they recommend but I wanted to see what all is out there. Of course, there is always my German Shepherd security too... ;)
Posted 2015-01-04 2:15 PM (#162235 - in reply to #162234) Subject: RE: Theft prevention lock for gooseneck?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 379 Location: Missouri
The best lock is to make it difficult to get the truck under the hitch. Something to keep in mind, any lock attached to the hitch is easily defeated by loosing the adjustment bolts and replacing the hitch.
Posted 2015-01-05 5:44 AM (#162238 - in reply to #162234) Subject: RE: Theft prevention lock for gooseneck?
Veteran
Posts: 175 Location: Florida
This is the type of lock your dealer will most likely recommend : http://www.mrlock.com/manufacturers-1-1/blaylock-1/blaylock-goosene... As suggested above it will just slow down determined crooks. as they can - if determined and equipped - remove the hitch tube and insert another hitch tube. Other things you can do to slow down attempts, is to lower the front of your trailer below hitching height so they would have to raise it before backing under it, and keep the crank handle inside your locked LQ area. Also remember many RV/LQ door locks are common as well, so 'professional' crooks would have a master set. Wheel lock as well are a deterrent - but can still be defeated with a little time. One of the better ideas is to park or set something large in front of your trailer if you will be leaving it unattended for any period of time. As with any moveable vehicle, if someone really wants it, they can get it, you just want to make it more difficult to get yours than someone else's. Video cameras, alarms, posted signs, and lighting are all to your benefit. Just how far you wish to protect your property vs the area you are leaving your trailer. Tracking systems for RV's are also available if necessary. Don't get too paranoid. Just be prepared, and just make it more difficult to steal yours than the next one down the road. Enjoy your new trailer - ( it sounds like he's a keeper ) !
Posted 2015-01-05 5:46 AM (#162239 - in reply to #162234) Subject: RE: Theft prevention lock for gooseneck?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 350 Location: Penrose, Colorado
for extra prevention remove the bolt that holds the jack handle on and stow it in the tack area, its hard to do much when you can not raise or lower the jack.
Posted 2015-01-15 9:58 PM (#162278 - in reply to #162234) Subject: RE: Theft prevention lock for gooseneck?
Member
Posts: 15
Location: SW OK
You can get locks for the set screws that hold your hitch in place - in combination with the hitch lock, it provides a reasonable amount of security. http://www.redneck-trailer.com/Portals/4/web_content/files/K.pdf - in section K13, item EZTL51. I've always intended to buy a set of those, but never have. I just put an old ball in the hitch and use a long hasped padlock through the latch holes, and lock it through the safety chain pulled snug. That way the safety chain holds the tube in - yes, it can be defeated with a big set of bolt cutters or a grinder, but when we're at a show, there's always lots of easier one's to steal. Also, more along the lines of recovery, you might consider painting or having decals made with your tag number, or name, or phone number on the roof of your trailer, big enough it can be seen from the air. Most thieves would never think to look for it, but if you can tell law enforcement to look for it, your chances of recovery goes way up.
Posted 2015-01-15 10:12 PM (#162279 - in reply to #162234) Subject: RE: Theft prevention lock for gooseneck?
Member
Posts: 15
Location: SW OK
You can get locks for the set screws that hold your hitch in place - in combination with the hitch lock, it provides a reasonable amount of security. http://www.redneck-trailer.com/Portals/4/web_content/files/K.pdf - in section K13, item EZTL51. I've always intended to buy a set of those, but never have. I just put an old ball in the hitch and use a long hasped padlock through the latch holes, and lock it through the safety chain pulled snug. That way the safety chain holds the tube in - yes, it can be defeated with a big set of bolt cutters or a grinder, but when we're at a show, there's always lots of easier one's to steal. Also, more along the lines of recovery, you might consider painting or having decals made with your tag number, or name, or phone number on the roof of your trailer, big enough it can be seen from the air. Most thieves would never think to look for it, but if you can tell law enforcement to look for it, your chances of recovery goes way up.
Posted 2015-02-05 8:12 AM (#162469 - in reply to #162234) Subject: RE: Theft prevention lock for gooseneck?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 524 Location: Lone Oak, Tx
Having been the victim of trailer theft, leaving us and our horse stranded 780 miles from home, I have to agree with PaulChristenson on the wheel lock. You spend more but how much is your piece of mind and the headache of replacing a trailer and everything in it after someone takes it. All the hitch locks in the world are worthless if they really want your trailer. I read a story about trailer thefts happening in Ft Worth at the stock show one year with a person dropping unhitched trailers with hitch locks on them into a spare tire in the truck bed and just driving off. Wheel lock boots are THE best preventative.
Posted 2015-02-12 7:04 PM (#162553 - in reply to #162469) Subject: RE: Theft prevention lock for gooseneck?
Expert
Posts: 2614
I know I will sound like a real DUH here but- hard as I try I still can't picture that working out very well- I mean- how does a spare tire lying in s truck bed hold a multi thousand lb trailer that isn't riding on a hitch ball?? Wouldn't it slide backwards and tear the darn tailgate off or something and how about turns? Like I saida you guys are probably laughing but I'm still just not getting it I guess.
Posted 2015-02-13 4:27 AM (#162556 - in reply to #162554) Subject: RE: Theft prevention lock for gooseneck?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 379 Location: Missouri
All of those things you mentioned could happen. But a thief doesn't care about that and all they need to do is move the trailer to a location where they feel safe and can take more time disabling the hitch locks.
We need to bring back hangings for property thefts, just like the old days when horses were stolen.
Posted 2015-02-13 1:00 PM (#162560 - in reply to #162553) Subject: RE: Theft prevention lock for gooseneck?
Expert
Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
Originally written by crowleysridgegirl on 2015-02-12 4:04 PM
I know I will sound like a real DUH here but- hard as I try I still can't picture that working out very well- I mean- how does a spare tire lying in s truck bed hold a multi thousand lb trailer that isn't riding on a hitch ball?? Wouldn't it slide backwards and tear the darn tailgate off or something and how about turns? Like I saida you guys are probably laughing but I'm still just not getting it I guess.
Theft prevention lock for gooseneck?
Thanks,hosspuller and Paul.Now that's a ? I won't ever have to ask in public again!