9 Ways To Secure A Trailer From Theft

Using a trailer is a great way to store extra goods when you are traveling, as you can pull heavy loads that normally wouldn't be able to fit inside your car or truck. Modern trailers have become so easy to quickly hook up to also makes them a very attractive option.

Unfortunately, thieves have cottoned on to this, as they have realized how easy it is to steal a trailer without any security devices in place. Thankfully, there are now many different methods that you can use to help better secure your trailer.

In this guide, we will provide you with the best devices and prevention methods so that once you have finished reading, you will know how to secure a trailer properly, which will give you peace of mind when you end up needing to leave your trailer somewhere overnight.

1. A GPS System

One of the best trailer security measures one can take is installing a GPS system, as this will allow you to know where your trailer is at any given time. Many of these devices can easily be hidden away from thieves as they can often be placed anywhere on your trailer.

If someone were to steal your trailer, you would easily be able to make contact with the police and notify them that your trailer has been stolen after seeing that it has been moved from where you originally left it. After that, the police will only need to be notified of where your trailer is at that moment so that they can recover it for you.

Many of these GPS devices can easily be connected to your phone, so you'll be able to know exactly when your trailer moves. This can also help you find your trailer if you end up forgetting where you have left it parked on a busy day.

2. Hitch Lock

One of the best ways to improve your trailer security is by purchasing a hitch lock for your trailer hitch. A hitch lock can help prevent theft as it can physically prevent someone from hitching your trailer up and stealing it.

While you may think leaving your trailer hooked up to your vehicle will prevent it from being stolen, many thieves can easily get past this, as they can easily pull out your hitch pin and then connect your trailer to their vehicle.

Hitch locks make this process quite a lot more difficult as thieves will need to be able to get through a lock first. When purchasing a hitch lock, you should generally choose ones that come with combination locks, as other locks can be broken into more easily, so they won't put off determined thieves.

3. Tongue Lock

The tongue lock is likely one of the most important trailer locks to have, as it will protect your trailer when it is most vulnerable. Generally speaking, trailers are most vulnerable when they aren't attached to vehicles due to the fact that if your trailer is not locked in any way, a thief can merely hitch your trailer up and be on their merry way.

A tongue lock, however, locks the coupler of your trailer, which means that no one will be able to insert a ball and connect your trailer to their vehicle unless they are able to get through the lock.

A tongue lock can also be used together with a coupler latch lock, which will further improve your trailer security, as this means that even the most professional thieves will take a while to steal your trailer, as they will need to get through two locks before they even begin to couple your trailer to their vehicle.

4. Wheel Chock Lock

Locking the wheels of any vehicle or trailer will inherently make it rather difficult to move unless you have a key. Chock locks can clamp onto any one of your trailer's wheels and work in the same way that any wheel clamp does.

A wheel chock lock is almost impossible to get rid of unless you have a key or an angle grinder and some spare time, which effectively stops a wheel from being moved at all.

While many of the other locks mentioned above can be broken with enough ingenuity and the right tools, a wheel chock lock can ensure that your entire trailer will stay put unless you unlock it yourself, or the thieves have a lot of time and some rather noisy power tools.

5. Alarm System

If keeping your trailer locked with a variety of different locks isn't enough to deter thieves from trying to hitch your trailer up and make off with it, then you can always hope to scare them off with the sound of a loud alarm that will alert either you or someone else to what they are trying to do.

There are quite a few alarms on the market that can be fitted to your trailer that will sound if your trailer is moved or a lock is tampered with. Some of these alarms are also fitted with bright, flashing LED lights, which may help to scare a thief off if used in combination with the blaring sound of a horn.

Sometimes the best way to protect something from a thief is to alert someone to their presence, as being seen is sometimes enough to scare a thief off.

6. Spare Tire Lock

While a spare tire lock may not prevent your entire trailer from being stolen, no one wants any item stolen off of their trailer either, for that matter. Many trailers come fitted with a spare wheel that is often mounted to the outside of them.

This can be seen as an easy picking for opportunistic thieves, as they won't need much in the way of tools to steal an unlocked spare wheel. Hence why a spare tire lock is great for keeping the spare tire on your trailer safe.

7. Coupler Lock

Using a coupler lock is another great way to protect your trailer from theft. Coupler locks have pins that extend through the latch of your coupler, which prevents anyone from opening or closing the latch.

A coupler lock can only be used when your trailer is coupled to your vehicle, so it is only really necessary if you plan on leaving your trailer attached to your vehicle once you get to where you want to go.

8. Park In A Secure Location

Parking your vehicle in a secure location is likely one of the best ways to prevent your trailer from potential theft. Making it more difficult for thieves to get to your trailer in the first place will make them far less likely to choose your trailer if there are other easier pickings about.

If you are on vacation or need to stop somewhere with your trailer far from home, then you should make sure to try and park it in a well-lit area. Thieves thrive on not being seen, so having your trailer in an open, well-lit area may also deter some thieves.

If all else fails, then using a heavy-duty cable or chain and lock to secure your trailer to a fixed object like a lamp pole or a concrete post will likely also stop any thieves from trying their luck.

9. Take Down Notable Details About Your Trailer

If the very worst thing ends up happening and your trailer ends up being stolen, then the best way to help the relevant authorities recover it is by noting down some notable details about your trailer before this can ever happen.

Taking note of the VIN number is important, but this is usually placed on an engraved plate that can easily be removed. Spray painting a small section underneath your trailer or even placing some stickers on the rear bumper may make your trailer more easily recognizable.

FAQS

Do wheel chock locks work?

If you have been looking for one simple method regarding how to secure a trailer, then wheel chock locks are likely the most effective way, as they clamp your wheels, which prevents your trailer from being moved around easily.

What do thieves do with stolen trailers?

Thieves can easily steal your trailer and the goods inside it and sell them in states that don't require a title at the time of sale. Your goods can also be sold off in pawn shops in other cities, which will make them harder to keep track of.

Are hitch locks safe?

Hitch locks are one of the best trailer security devices if you are planning on leaving your trailer coupled to your vehicle, as they effectively lock the coupling mechanism.

Final thoughts

If securing your trailer is important to you and you feel that your trailer is at risk, then using one or all of the methods and devices listed above should reduce the likelihood of your trailer being stolen.

Using all of these methods together will certainly dissuade thieves from choosing to try and steal your trailer, specifically if it is lined up next to many other trailers.

Securing your trailer in these ways should easily stop it from being stolen by opportunistic thieves, but you may need to use all of the above methods if your trailer is at a high risk of being stolen on a regular basis, as thieves will generally always be able to find a way to get hold of your valuables if they have enough time to plan.

If all else fails, it is at least a good idea to keep a GPS tracker on your trailer and note some recognizable characteristics about it, as this will help you recover it if it ends up being stolen.

Link To or Reference This Page

We spend a lot of time collecting, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site to be as useful to you as possible.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Tow Ratings as the source. We appreciate your support!