Member III
I've seen the other thread here about trailer security. I do most of the things in that thread when I'm setup at camp (wheel boot, remove my max coupler, chain through the wheels, etc).
Lately I've been obsessing with locking hitch pins, of which I own 4 (truck receiver, Max Coupler pivot, Max Coupler receiver, rear trailer receiver). Recently a friend made me aware of how easy it is to defeat these locks with a simple piece of steel pipe. So, I gave it a try. Yah, suffice to say it would take about 2 seconds to defeat the hitch pin on my truck, pull out the hitch from my receiver and plug it into any other 2" receiver and off the trailer goes.
It seems all locking hitch pins are susceptible to this attack with the possible exception of the Bulldog which uses ball bearings instead of a cut groove for it's locking mechanism. However, I haven't seen a test on this hitch pin and I haven't purchased one to test myself.
So, I have 4 hitch pins I would like to lock on my entire setup with the lowest level protection being from a piece of steel pipe and bolt cutters. If someone has a cordless die grinder or reciprocating saw with appropriate blades they could cut through the hitch pin itself. However, this would make a fair amount of noise so I have resolved myself to preventing a silent defeat of the locks. I have also decided to rule out trying to prevent someone who has professional level lock picking skills. I've learned virtually any lock can be picked by the right person with the right tools.
So, my solution is to use hitch pins and "high security" padlocks. I went down to the local trailer supply store and got 4 5/8" hitch pins with the larger 3/8" (actually, a little less than 3/8") hole for the lock pin. I have order 4 high security, fully shrouded 1/4" shackle locks all keyed the same to use with these pins. These locks are resistant to bolt cutters and make the steel pipe attack impossible. As a side benefit I have 1 key for all 4 pins, and, in my opinion I believe these will be easier to operate.
I wanted to get input from some others on this forum that may have obsessed about this like I have. Nothing is 100% and this is to mainly protect my rig while parked unattended while traveling.
-Curtiss
Lately I've been obsessing with locking hitch pins, of which I own 4 (truck receiver, Max Coupler pivot, Max Coupler receiver, rear trailer receiver). Recently a friend made me aware of how easy it is to defeat these locks with a simple piece of steel pipe. So, I gave it a try. Yah, suffice to say it would take about 2 seconds to defeat the hitch pin on my truck, pull out the hitch from my receiver and plug it into any other 2" receiver and off the trailer goes.
It seems all locking hitch pins are susceptible to this attack with the possible exception of the Bulldog which uses ball bearings instead of a cut groove for it's locking mechanism. However, I haven't seen a test on this hitch pin and I haven't purchased one to test myself.
So, I have 4 hitch pins I would like to lock on my entire setup with the lowest level protection being from a piece of steel pipe and bolt cutters. If someone has a cordless die grinder or reciprocating saw with appropriate blades they could cut through the hitch pin itself. However, this would make a fair amount of noise so I have resolved myself to preventing a silent defeat of the locks. I have also decided to rule out trying to prevent someone who has professional level lock picking skills. I've learned virtually any lock can be picked by the right person with the right tools.
So, my solution is to use hitch pins and "high security" padlocks. I went down to the local trailer supply store and got 4 5/8" hitch pins with the larger 3/8" (actually, a little less than 3/8") hole for the lock pin. I have order 4 high security, fully shrouded 1/4" shackle locks all keyed the same to use with these pins. These locks are resistant to bolt cutters and make the steel pipe attack impossible. As a side benefit I have 1 key for all 4 pins, and, in my opinion I believe these will be easier to operate.
I wanted to get input from some others on this forum that may have obsessed about this like I have. Nothing is 100% and this is to mainly protect my rig while parked unattended while traveling.
-Curtiss
