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Preventing TT Theft

PostPosted: Fri Mar 13, 2015 7:14 am
by IrishIroamed
Hi Ladies,

A week from today is the scheduled pick-up of Colt. Crossing my T's and dotting my I's. Insurance - check - possible storage place - check. Wheel choks, leveling blocks, hitch camera - check, check, check.

Now for a hitch lock...I Googled, I U-Tubed, I searched the forum and there are so many!! Some things are wheel locks, coupler locks, painting identifying numbers on the roof or combo motion detections / GPS alert system. Holey moley, having it 'tagged' by police, and on and on and on. Maybe I better rethink this NOT! Saw quite a few videos showing any locks with a bar aren't good (like this one http://www.amazon.com/Reese-Towpower-72783-Universal-Coupler/dp/B0008FUH46/ref=sr_1_3?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1426247347&sr=1-3&keywords=trailer+hitch+locks). Just takes a second to break thru the bar.

Looks like the best design would be to get something that totally encloses the coupler (hope that's the right word). Something similar to this http://trailergator.com/trailer-security-how-trailer-gator-works/.

Any suggestions? Opinions? (other than see a shrink cuz I'm getting paranoid :shock: )

Help!

Re: Preventing TT Theft

PostPosted: Fri Mar 13, 2015 7:25 am
by Colliemom
Cheryl, in my opinion, trying to secure a TT is almost impossible. If somebody wants it bad enough, they are going to find a way to do it. I've read where they can get those locks off like nothing no matter what they are made of. Are you storing it in a high crime area? Otherwise, I wouldn't bother. That's what you are paying insurance for. There are TT's stored at a dealers near me here for winter and inside a fenced area. Have never head of any being stolen. Mine sits here in my drive as do three other neighbors' and nobody bothers them. I would think a break in would be more to happen, than the whole trailer disappearing.

Re: Preventing TT Theft

PostPosted: Fri Mar 13, 2015 8:09 am
by IrishIroamed
Sue,
I realize anything can be stolen, but if thiefs see a lock, maybe they would bypass stealing mine.

Naperville & Plainfield are both good areas, but I actually found a theft video from another Chicago suburb storage lot, and also am also thinking about if I'm away sightseeing. I've seen articles about them being stolen right from campgrounds too.

Re: Preventing TT Theft

PostPosted: Fri Mar 13, 2015 11:02 am
by dayspring39
Good Morning Cheryl... when we had a tt we simply used a padlock... combination is best so you do not have to keep track of a key!

Re: Preventing TT Theft

PostPosted: Fri Mar 13, 2015 11:04 am
by Bethers
I'm with Sue on this one. I've not heard of pleasure thieves with rvs. And professionals won't be deterred by locks. However you need to do what you feel comfortable with.

Re: Preventing TT Theft

PostPosted: Fri Mar 13, 2015 12:52 pm
by SoCalGalcas
Cheryl, go to the site of "little Guys" trailers. See if you like any of their suggestions. Lyn

Re: Preventing TT Theft

PostPosted: Fri Mar 13, 2015 2:04 pm
by MelissaD
Often if someone steals a TT in the Midwest they tow it back in the woods for making Meth. Don't want that TT back. Most any method you use they can get around. I just make sure I have insurance for replacement cost and take general precautions. Pick a storage location you feel pretty safe with, put a pad lock on it and make sure you have proper insurance.

Re: Preventing TT Theft

PostPosted: Fri Mar 13, 2015 3:23 pm
by IrishIroamed
Thanks Ladies. I'm sure I'm probably just paranoid because I only had Mar-E (truck) for 3 months before someone stole my spare tire. I'll do something I'm sure just for peace of mind, but yes, anyone can steal anything.

Shameful world we live in huh?

Re: Preventing TT Theft

PostPosted: Fri Mar 13, 2015 10:05 pm
by Acadianmom
I don't have a trailer but I'm paranoid too. Around here it's trailers from construction sites and ATV's that get stolen the most. We have been lucky so far. I have a small motorhome with an alarm system but I'm the one that sets it off. It might get some attention in a campground but I have set it of at a gas station and people pay about as much attention to the alarm as a car in a parking lot. When I'm on a trip 500 miles from home I worry about walking away from it in a parking lot and it not being there when I return. It's not so much losing the motorhome as it is the problems it would cause. My motorhome is 13 years old. I think if I had a newer, more expensive one I would try to find some kind of tracking system. Recently a lady had her car jacked in Abbeville. Her phone was in the car and her daughter knew how to track her phone so the police caught the guy before he got 10 miles. I would try to find something like that.

Martha

Re: Preventing TT Theft

PostPosted: Sat Mar 14, 2015 7:22 am
by Colliemom
Construction site trailers are easy targets cause of all the tools and equipment in them. Makes for good money selling them off once stolen and those trailers are all look alikes for the most part, plain whie, grey or black unless the company name is on it. . A truck driving down the road pulling one is not going to be noticed like a travel trailer with it's exterior decals, name windows and all that. Big difference in design. Unless it goes at night. Most people tend to notice a travel trailer more.

I have OnStar in my truck, so it can be tracked anywhere if stolen and even remotely stopped. Plus built in phone and emergency alerts.