Theft deterrent measures

[twertsch]

Good morning,

We have had a huge increase in camper thefts in my area. Both at lots and from residents. My trailer is parked at my home, like many people do here.

I've been doing some research on different types of wheel locks, tongue locks, etc. There are a lot of different items out there, many of which with one or two hits with a good sledge hammer, they are rendered useless (my current tongue lock included). One that I was very interested in, the Brahma, is no longer produced - the company is out of business.
I fully understand that no theft deterrent will prevent someone who is hell bent on stealing your trailer, but I'd like to atleast make it hard on them!!

So I thought I'd ask all of you since many of you have been camping for decades - what do you use on your trailer as a theft deterrent? A wheel lock? A tongue lock? Both? What are your recommendations?

[chily3]

I have one of these for our trailer. It uses a puck lock.

[ATCguy]

Originally Posted by chily3

I have one of these for our trailer. It uses a puck lock.

https://youtu.be/uxmmwWwW6TY

[twertsch]

Mental note - don't go with a Master puck lock...

[ATCguy]

Originally Posted by twertsch

Mental note - don't go with a Master puck lock...

Ha… I swear, after watching that guy’s videos, you’ll wonder why you’ve ever bought any lock. He’s got hundreds of videos on his channel, and there’s damn near nothing he can’t pick in under 60 seconds.

[chily3]

At this point will continue to use it when traveling etc.Play the odds on this. Good thing my trailer is stored inside so not needed there.

[twertsch]

You are l Iucky, wish I had an indoor place for storage. Anyone have experience with Trimax's wheel lock, the one with the extra padlock? I'm guessing trimax saw the 'how to' video on picking those round locks with a pen...

[franktafl]

There’s probably no lock that can’t be picked or broken it just takes the crook more time. Security cameras are a food addition to my home security for my RV. Quite possibly, two locks would make sense, one on the wheel and one on the hitch. I would be more worried about them breaking into the rv and cleaning it out!

[persistent]

First get theft insurance.
Next get any lock.
Don't store anything in the RV that can't be replaced.

Plan on replacing anything that gets stolen.

[franktafl]

Originally Posted by persistent

First get theft insurance.
Next get any lock.
Don't store anything in the RV that can't be replaced.

Plan on replacing anything that gets stolen.

Great idea but thieves do not carefully remove things. They make a mess. Any type of deterrent is a good idea. Even some sort of alarm system.

[xhogboss]

The 'key' (sorry) here is to make your property less attractive than your neighbors. Save for a few who target specialty items, thieves choose the easiest and quickest first. More time spent on-scene defeating security measures means more time during which they can be discovered and/or confronted and caught.


Any deterrent is better than none. A combination of good lighting, isolation (fences, locked gates), removal of valued property and use of locking devices go a long way to make your RV less attractive to the thief.

[TejasBob]

I use the Proven Industries lock. There are some good videos on YouTube about it. Theft-proof? Nope. But I feel like it makes my trailer an unfavorable target compared to others. https://besttrailerlocks.com/collect...ven-industries

[twertsch]

I looked at that one , looks really promising. I am thinking the combo wheel lock + a nice hitch lock like the proven or ft knox to replace the one i have now. We don't keep much of value inside the trailer, except the Kurig but insurance pays nothing when it's stolen compared to replacement cost. And replacing the trailer here in denver would cost us twice as much as I bought it for originally if i can find one to buy. That is in part what is driving the theft rate of trailers up sky high
here - very expensive, hard to find, and a great Craigslist selling venue

[Its4]

Originally Posted by chily3

I have one of these for our trailer. It uses a puck lock.

My Ft Knox has a puck lock with barrel lock.

[trucking]

I just have a master lock threw the tounge latch, there is no 100% way to stop the theft if someone wants the coach.
I don't worry about it , I have good theft insurance.
My coach is worth more stolen, burned or anything else, it is just a coach.
Happy trails.