Wheel lock/boot - security for trailer

[Krupky]

Hi. New member here. I just bought an old military trailer that I’m going to start building out. I don’t have many options for storing it on my property. Most likely it will live next to my garage where it’s visible from the street. I’m concerned about theft and while it has a pintle style hitch, I’m still afraid that it might get nicked.

The hitch locks out there look ok but I’m wondering about someone just chaining it up and hauling it off - which is why I’m asking about wheel boot or lock. This beast has 35” tires on it already and most of the boots I’ve seen aren’t capable of dealing with a tire that size.

I tried some search’s but couldn’t come up with anything. If this topic has been discussed already, I apologize for the redundancy.

Here’s a pic for reference:


Thanks for any advice you might have.
Cheers
Vincent

 

[Road]

Some ideas I've thought about for my trailer:
- Visit your local trailer sales place and see what they suggest as an effective theft deterrent.
- You can always put it on blocks and take one or both wheels off, too.
- Build an inexpensive privacy fence to block the view.
- Install a motion-activated security light and/or CCTV camera, whether real or not.
- Get some "GPS Tracked" stickers

A lot of theft-deterrents are meant more to slow a thief down and make it appear to be more a more troublesome and lengthy ordeal to steal than it's worth.

 

[Krupky]

Those are all great suggestions- thank you!

Are the boots-locks even worth using in your opinion?

 

[Road]

@Krupky - I looked into the different boots but have no personal experience with any of them. I do recall reading some people were able to easily defeat the less expensive ones. You can find a wide selection on Amazon to compare, though several look like they're made by the same place but with different private lablels.

 

[Flipper]

I lock my trailer at the hitch and run a heavy chain thru one of the wheel spokes then around the frame and axle. Looking at your pix Im not sure if you could get a good size chain thru your wheel slots or not.

 

[Corbet]

There are a bunch of lunette hitch locks available pick one and install it. Beyond that I’m not sure it’s worth loosing more sleep over. If a thief wants it, they will find a way around most anything.

 

[DividedSky]

Some ideas I've thought about for my trailer:


A lot of theft-deterrents are meant more to slow a thief down and make it appear to be more a more troublesome and lengthy ordeal to steal than it's worth.

Agree!
They sell hardened chain that you need a grinder to get through. Chain it to a tree or something. Either way, getting through will take time and make noise. Most thieves are opportunists.

 

[Krupky]

Thank you all for taking the time to answer my questions. Just feeling protective of my new baby... I call him Beans.

I’m going to swap out the wheels possibly since finding a spare might be challenging. I like the chain idea.