Posted 2007-09-16 9:50 AM (#67974 - in reply to #67881) Subject: RE: Looking for a lock for gooseneck hitch
Expert
Posts: 3802
Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Hey I'm out of here. We got a NWHA show in Murfreesboro Tn. See ya'll in a week or so. Anyone out that way stop by the Tennessee Miller Coliseum this Tuesday through Saturday and see the best "not sore", "flat shod" Tennessee Walking Horses in the country. Keep your trailers locked and crowleysridgegirl.......You need a bigger hammer!!! Take care!
Posted 2007-09-16 12:58 PM (#67981 - in reply to #67881) Subject: RE: Looking for a lock for gooseneck hitch
Veteran
Posts: 209
Location: pensacola, fl
Okay, I just went out and lowered the coupler on my GN Trailer, it was a little short for my truck so I decided to take care of it, Taking that coupler off is not as easy as it sounds. Wrench, Hammer lots and lots of WD40 and a couple of hours later, it is done. Of course now that I have lubed it all up and adjusted it I have made it easier for the crooks to take it, but one other thing. I lowered the coupler as far as it will go and it never did attempt to come all the way out. So I really don't see this as a threat. JMO!!!!!!
Posted 2007-09-16 9:37 PM (#68003 - in reply to #67994) Subject: RE: Looking for a lock for gooseneck hitch
Expert
Posts: 2615
I've not heard of one being stolen by somebody hitting the lock once with a big hammer,but,I HAVE heard of one that was stolen by the coupler being removed and another one replaced.They found their coupler with the lock still on it laying there near the spot.Somebody had to be looking at that one a few days prior,I'd say.
We had a GN LQ that had a latch that apparently was bent when we got it,probably happened on the lot being hauled around with a tractor and a boom.Anyway,we had to replace the entire coupler sleeve,and it took my husband about 5 minutes to loosen it,slide it off,and slide the replacement coupler on.
Posted 2007-09-17 1:23 PM (#68031 - in reply to #67881) Subject: RE: Looking for a lock for gooseneck hitch
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 335
Location: Decatur, Texas
Ever wonder why the thieves carry cans of starting fluid around with them? It's not to help them sleep or to put you to sleep while they steal your trailer or whatever.
Posted 2007-09-18 12:28 PM (#68058 - in reply to #67881) Subject: RE: Looking for a lock for gooseneck hitch
Elite Veteran
Posts: 781
Location: La Cygne, KS
I can speak from first hand experience on the ease of having a trailer stolen. My 15ft. short wall LQ 2-horse Elite that we only owned 4 months was stolen right out of my driveway in broad daylight... determined somewhere between 9 am and noon.
Dually truck was stolen up the road to take the trailer. The jerks were caught. Drug dealers of course. Trailer is still MIA. Truck was recovered.
How were they caught.... Never Ever make your girlfriend too mad at ya. The loser was giving gifts from the trailer to her as gifts. She got wise and figured out he had a stolen truck and trailer. Well one day he made her mad and she took the stolen items to the police and turned him in.
Heard he was trying to unload the trailer for $20K. Trailer cost more than double that. So someone outthere got a heck of a deal and they have to know it is "HOT"!
So the point being, do everything you can to stop your trailer from being taken. Gooseneck locks, copuler bolt locks, keyed hydraulic/electic jacks, slope your drive etc.And most of the heart ache is not the trailer itself, but the contents inside... your favorite bridle, saddle, pad, bucket whatever is you love best. In my case, I had many years of accumulated tack in that trailer, plus all the LQ stuff too. Handmade quilt and pillows from my mom. Didn't get 1 thing back. Once it happens to you, you become paranoid with locking and securing things. It's a sad day today when you can't even leave your garage door open while working in the barn or out in the garden etc.
It's been almost two years and I'm still hurting over the theft. Got my house monitored and wired like Fort Knox. Still get a lump in the gut as I turn the corner to make sure that all trailers and horses are still on the place.
Posted 2007-09-18 1:02 PM (#68062 - in reply to #68058) Subject: RE: Looking for a lock for gooseneck hitch
Expert
Posts: 2615
I don't leave any of my tack in any trailers.I know it is more convenient to do so,esp.if you are riding real often,(which we DON'T) but we still unload it and put it in a more secure place.
Sorry for your trailer loss.Losing a horse is really bad,too! Did you have insurance on your trailer?Doesn't replace the stuff inside,tho.We also keep our LQ locked up,walkthru door and all also.Padlock the outside doors going in to the trailer,and lock windows.Of course,once they have it it wouldn't be much to break inside it.Getting the trailer itself is the key.
Posted 2007-09-19 7:44 AM (#68083 - in reply to #67881) Subject: RE: Looking for a lock for gooseneck hitch
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 335
Location: Decatur, Texas
This point was proven in a court case that I was involved in several years ago. The thieves had sprayed STARTING FLUID on the locks until they frosted over. When struck by a large hammer, the locks shattered. This works really well during the hot Texas summers. Plaintiffs had argued that the theft resistant locks used to protect construction equipment was inadequate. Defendants lock manfacturer showeda video in the courtroom detailing what happens when starting fluid is used since they couldn't use the starting fluid in the courtroom. They didn't need any more help in putting the jury to sleep. LOL