DIY Trailer coupler lock?

GONOVRIT

GONOVRIT

blue collar brotherhood
Joined
Apr 10, 2005
Location
Dallas NC
I feel certain someone has made their own coupler lock for a trailer? Looks as though you can't buy one that would take a thief some serious time and work to free up without spending 3 figures.

If I had the time right now I would copy an aluminum one out of steel.
 
I'm not sure if Edgar is on here or not but I think I remember seeing him build one out of flat stock and an old hitch ball. Basically just a u cup with a locking bar.

416e726dc0976413f2a28864a619a51b.jpg



Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk
 
Gooseneck or Tag?

Either or subbed for ideas. :cool:

I chained tires on a tandem a couple of times. But what a pain in the butt.

Pulled the hole shebang out of the gooseneck before, coupler and all.

Some thieves just drag a trailer away by the safety chains to a more secure for them location to dismantle locks or unload goods.
 
A big ol tire boot........can you buy them?
 
WARRIORWELDING said:
A big ol tire boot........can you buy them?
Click to expand...

Pretty sure you can

Chris_Keziah said:
I'm not sure if Edgar is on here or not but I think I remember seeing him build one out of flat stock and an old hitch ball. Basically just a u cup with a locking bar.

416e726dc0976413f2a28864a619a51b.jpg



Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Only thing I see wrong with that design is what kind of crossbar is going to keep someone from cutting through it with a sawzall?

There's one called the gator something that encases the entire coupler but I believe it's $200+
 
Couple thousand dollar trailer...wants a DIY lock...:lol::flipoff2: Sorry. Someone had to say it.

Seriously though, the only ones I've seen that are worth a shit are fairly expensive. Proven Industries, HitchVault etc. The rest you can remove pretty quickly with a big enough pry bar.

You have pretty much the same issue I do, we are far enough off the main road or secluded enough that its probably not going to be a crime of opportunity, but someone who knows what is there and has a game plan to get what they want. And they'll probably have some time because they can't be seen from the main road unless the leaves are down. Plan accordingly.
 
GPS tracker and a cheap lock. Probably the best solution. A thief will find a way if he wants it. Having a hidden GPS tracker allows you to find it and bring justice to the douche nozzle that stole it.
 
GONOVRIT said:
Pretty sure you can


Only thing I see wrong with that design is what kind of crossbar is going to keep someone from cutting through it with a sawzall?

There's one called the gator something that encases the entire coupler but I believe it's $200+
Click to expand...
Make the cross bar out of A2 and harden it. It'll take days to cut it then.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk
 
what type of coupler does the trailer have?

I know it's a new trailer, but could always build a receiver in the trailer tongue for the coupler to slide into.

I think the best option is likely making it hard to move, like chaining it to a tree or booting the wheels.


Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
 
Chris_Keziah said:
Make the cross bar out of A2 and harden it. It'll take days to cut it then.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Modern cordless grinder and cut off wheel...no problem.
 
I just keep insurance on mine. Covers theft and damage if it were in an accident. It's like $40 a year. Much more reasonable than car insurance. I get full replacement value minus a $50 deductible.
 
Step One - Get yourself one of these:

Oxy-AcetyleneCutter.jpg


Step Two - When you get done using the trailer for the day, lop off the coupler.

Step Three - Next time you want to use the trailer, weld the coupler back on.

Step Four - PROFIT!
 
BigSouth said:
I just keep insurance on mine. Covers theft and damage if it were in an accident. It's like $40 a year. Much more reasonable than car insurance. I get full replacement value minus a $50 deductible.
Click to expand...
I agree. Inland marine is what mine is called.

But deterants do potentially reduce headaches.
 
WARRIORWELDING said:
I agree. Inland marine is what mine is called.

But deterants do potentially reduce headaches.
Click to expand...

Keyword there is "deterant", not prevention. Locks just slow the honest thief down. That's what my old man always said. Just give him time to get a shot or two off.
 
Buy a $10 ball, cut the shank off, put it in place. Put the biggest padlock you can fit on the coupler lever. Easy enough to cut the lock, but a heck of a lot cheaper than other options.
 
Come to think of it... a coupler lock really won't do much. I saw a guy a couple of months ago dragging a trailer down I-40 by the safety chains. The trailer was dancing around a bit, but he was doing 65mph.
 
shawn said:
Come to think of it... a coupler lock really won't do much. I saw a guy a couple of months ago dragging a trailer down I-40 by the safety chains. The trailer was dancing around a bit, but he was doing 65mph.
Click to expand...
Agreed. That's why I suggested doing something to prevent movement vs joking to the trailer.

I know your shop is in the woods, so maybe weld a d ring to the underside, where you can put a heavy chain around a tree and it not be easily seen.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
 
shawn said:
Come to think of it... a coupler lock really won't do much. I saw a guy a couple of months ago dragging a trailer down I-40 by the safety chains. The trailer was dancing around a bit, but he was doing 65mph.
Click to expand...
see post #3 ;)

So this means upon seeing such, good ole citizens should notify the PO PO.
 
FWIW, I started this thread thinking some creative mind from here had made a better coupler lock than what most of us have on our trailers.

I already have locks and insurance on all 3 of my trailers. I'm not worried about my trailers getting stolen from my house for a handful of reasons.

When I get around to making my own I'll share it.......and have an existing lock or 3 for sale;)
 
GONOVRIT said:
FWIW, I started this thread thinking some creative mind from here had made a better coupler lock than what most of us have on our trailers.
Click to expand...

You seem to have mistaken us for someone else.

@Jody Treadway has a fancy lock on his gooseneck, but he paid real money for it.
 
@paradisePWoffrd had a comment about "not being easily seen" and that got me to thinking a little. I use a big cable through both wheels on one side (the side away from the woods), I have one of the master bright yellow ball hoop type locks in the ball socket, a master lock in the coupler lock and i take the jack handle off. My thoughts are the more visible any security measures are then the half assed opportunity thieves will pass on by. I figure if someone wants your junk bad enough they will bring the tools and have the time set aside to do it.
 
BigSouth said:
I just keep insurance on mine. Covers theft and damage if it were in an accident. It's like $40 a year. Much more reasonable than car insurance. I get full replacement value minus a $50 deductible.
Click to expand...

Where did you get insurance for $40/yr?
 
Most companies put trailers on auto policies, so seeing one on an inland marine is odd...and they're usually like 40 bucks every 6 months, not a year.

I just added my lawnmower and tractor on an inland marine and it was like 145 a year. 24k replacement value between the two.
 
Croatan_Kid said:
Most companies put trailers on auto policies, so seeing one on an inland marine is odd...and they're usually like 40 bucks every 6 months, not a year.

I just added my lawnmower and tractor on an inland marine and it was like 145 a year. 24k replacement value between the two.
Click to expand...
I got my trailers and all sorts of "tangible" property on my policy.
 
Back
Top