Trailer anti-theft locks/security

[Vovchandr]

@IamScotticus just brought up in another thread a subject that's been topical for me recently.

 

As of yesterday I now own 4 trailers of various shapes and sizes and none of them are stored at my house so security is of concern for me. They sit for most of the year without use so having them locked up for most of the year isn't much of an inconvenience.

 

I know any lock can actually be defeated with enough will and 18v batteries on angle grinder but I also know that theft is a crime of opportunity and any lock is better than no lock especially if the trailer is not being particularly targeted.

 

I've used the HF lock before and its okay

 

 

but I've been getting a lot of ads for the more serious type of lock of this brand or the "big brand" of the same type thats ever more expensive

 

 

Also have considered putting a chain through the wheels with some other chain lock as secondary measure. 

 

Anybody have experiences or opinions?

 

 

 

 

[IamScotticus]

Thanks for the mention.

As it had already been said, most theft is a crime of opportunity, and better, risk-free opportunity.  Creating an element of doubt that the thief will be unsuccessful is, I think  70% of the prevention.  If you don't have $300 to spend, Your lock could be a painted tube of PVC pipe with a cheap puck lock fixed in front, accomplishing nothing but signaling to a thief he doesn't know exactly what it's made of, how hard it will be to cut or how long it will take.

On the other hand, put on a lock that "they" know how to defeat wirh grinder, Bolt cutters, etc, and its a matter of time and opportunity. 

Edited November 9, 2025 by IamScotticus

[Vovchandr]

Very true. The PVC trick is pretty clever. 

 

For additional context, the location where trailers are stored isn't a location where insurance is an option as it isn't a dwelling. 

 

I forgot to mention I throw/hide Airtags into the trailers and put cheap stickers on them saying they are GPS tracked.

 

I know Airtags are not meant as a tracker for stolen devices which is why they notify non-owners when they are present and traveling with them, but that also works in my favor. If the air tag notifies people that it's present, it can make the juice not worth the squeeze and the trailer might end up getting abandoned instead of searching for the tag. 

 

Plus I don't have to disable them every time I grab the trailer and are quite cost effective @ $20 each or so with a replicable generic battery that lasts a year. 

 

I know some people disable the beeper that makes them easier to locate but I haven't gone that far yet. 

Edited November 9, 2025 by Vovchandr

[EdWills]

A GPS tracker is a great idea for expensive equipment such as a trailer.  A neighbour of mine around the block, had his utility trailer stolen from his front driveway during the night.  The thief had to drag it out onto the street backwards in order to attach it to the get-away vehicle.  Unfortunately, no one heard the probable racket, even the owner.  He was able to track the trailer to a trailer storage yard, and the yard owner found it hidden in the back of the lot.  An employee of the yard was charged with the theft. Presumably the thief hoped to store it for a while, with no one at the yard noticing, and then sell it on. W

[IamScotticus]

If you know 4 people who use trailers, one of them has had one stolen at least once.

[wemtd]

Would there be any use in taking an(or multiple) wheels off the trailer if it isn't used on a regular basis?

 

[7Westfield]

13 hours ago, wemtd said:

Would there be any use in taking an(or multiple) wheels off the trailer if it isn't used on a regular basis?

 

Well, it sure stops the quick snatch plan....LOL

I use a lock during race season, then pull all 4 for the winter

[SENC]

I've used this one for several years... it would take a real effort for someone to steal a trailer with this on.  Not impossible, but it would definitely dissuade all but the most insistent and intentional.

 

It's quick and easy to install and remove, and covers the lugnuts so the wheel can't be easily removed with the lock.  The arms can be rotated for flat storage.

 

Edited November 15, 2025 by SENC

[IamScotticus]

47 minutes ago, SENC said:

I've used this one for several years... it would take a real effort for someone to steal a trailer with this on.  Not impossible, but it would definitely dissuade all but the most insistent and intentional.

 

It's quick and easy to install and remove, and covers the lugnuts so the wheel can't be easily removed with the lock.  The arms can be rotated for flat storage.

 

@SENC

If the tyre were slashed, can it be pulled off?

What is the brand name? It's hard to read. 

Edited November 15, 2025 by IamScotticus

[SENC]

Good question, but I think it would be tough - they wrap around pretty far on all 3 legs.  It is a Brahma.  I think Proven and others have something similar.

[Alex-Ks1]

I don't have a trailer , but have security cameras all about my property and very bright lights turn on if any one enters my property .ALSO, if some one comes on my property with any kind of tool in their hand, I can legally shoot them , I'm in fear of my life .,its a " stand your ground " law . All thieves need to be killed off any way . I have a sign in my front yard ."OWNER IS ARMED "

[NSXguy]

I'm very luck to have an older neighbor who appears to "keep watch" overnight for any and everything that happens in the vicinity. 

But i do have Harbor freight locks on the trailer wheels as an added layer.. for the one day he's off his game and dozes off lol 

 

Edited November 19, 2025 by NSXguy

[speedwagon]

Have a backhoe and a place picked out under where a horse is buried.   john