Posted 2008-05-07 9:09 AM (#83361 - in reply to #83355) Subject: RE: Gooseneck coupler lock?
Location: Where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain...
If you don't lock the bolts, the coupler lock is useless. With one wrench in less than 5 minutes you can change the coupler out. A friend had one stolen with the coupler lock on it. It was found next day with the lock still in place. In my opinion...a coupler lock is kind of like locking the gate on a 3' tall yard fence...
Posted 2008-05-07 9:33 AM (#83367 - in reply to #83352) Subject: RE: Gooseneck coupler lock?
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Posts: 32
Location: Eagle Creek,Oregon
I have a cobalt bike lock hooked around the mechanism for my landing gear so it can't be cranked up, but I in no way feel good about it. With the price of aluminum skyrocketing my trailer would be a plum to some crackhead! I just haven't resolved in my mind which is the more effective deterrent, the bulldog or the wheel lock. Probably both! I do know that the type of padlock will make a big difference I use only Abloy locks on my barns and sheds after a run in with lock bumpers and pickers. http://www.lockingsystems.com/AbloyPadlocks.htm The best deterrent device used with a crummy lock is useless.
Posted 2008-05-07 9:50 AM (#83370 - in reply to #83352) Subject: RE: Gooseneck coupler lock?
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Posts: 3802
Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
I guess any lock is better than no lock at all. Just be sure that you have enough insurance to cover your trailer and it's contents, along with some worry and agravation that you'll have to go through while trying to settle with the insurance company. Hopefull we'll never need to find out. But with scrap metal prices these days, some will find out what it's like to loose a trailer!!!!
Posted 2008-05-07 11:29 AM (#83382 - in reply to #83352) Subject: RE: Gooseneck coupler lock?
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Posts: 235
Location: Bucksport, Maine
By the way, I just heard from the MFR (I think) of the Trailer Bullet. Their price is lower than I thought... $65 for one, and a little less if you want to become a distributor and you're able to buy several at once.
This product looks equally effective TO ME, and it's $5 to $25 cheaper than the wheel lock I just posted (depending on whether the wheel lock's sale price is active at the time of purchase).
Posted 2008-05-07 11:58 AM (#83387 - in reply to #83382) Subject: RE: Gooseneck coupler lock?
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Posts: 2615
It would not work for our trailer because we have a hydralic double jack on ours.I still like the coupler/bolt lock idea.The bolt locks are inexpensive and teamed with the coupler lock,should be fine.But the wheel lock is the best,according to several I've talked to.
Posted 2008-05-07 1:03 PM (#83399 - in reply to #83352) Subject: RE: Gooseneck coupler lock?
Location: Where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain...
As long as you don't let the drop leg out more than a hole or two on your jack, it will work great. Otherwise throw down a floor jack, jack it up, raise the foot, drop it on the truck, and take off. Less than 5 minutes. Same thing goes if you put wood blocks under your jack legs. Lift it up, move the blocks, lower on the truck, and take off.
So many people drop there jack leg 3 or four holes, or don't drop it but use a 6" block under it, that the jack lock won't work on those trailers. A floor jack will fix all their difficulties, and probably speed things up if the are ready. Think about it, these people aren't running a long ways, they are going just down the road and then hooking up right and taking off. Nobody will look at them twice unless someone knows your trailer.
Posted 2008-05-07 1:31 PM (#83402 - in reply to #83399) Subject: RE: Gooseneck coupler lock?
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Posts: 235
Location: Bucksport, Maine
Originally written by Tresvolte on 2008-05-07 1:03 PM
My comments in bold underlined italics.
As long as you don't let the drop leg out more than a hole or two on your jack, it will work great. Do you mean "DO"? Otherwise throw down a floor jack, jack it up, raise the foot HOW would they be able to raise the foot with the lock in place?, drop it on the truck, and take off. Less than 5 minutes. Same thing goes if you put wood blocks under your jack legs. Lift it up, move the blocks, lower on the truck, and take off.
So many people drop there jack leg 3 or four holes, or don't drop it but use a 6" block under it, that the jack lock won't work on those trailers. I get what you're saying, but I would think dropping the leg 3-4 holes WOULD avoid this issue. Heck, if I use a 4x4 block I can only drop the leg ONE hole.
OK, to get it off my property the thief would need to navigate a short but significant hill/dip. If I use a thin plank instead of the 4x4 block (just because I can't stand the thought of putting it directly on my paved driveway, and neither can my hubby), and drop the leg as much as it will go, then will this work?
At home is where the trailer is at greatest risk... I'd like to see someone TRY and steal a horse trailer from one of our local Endurance ridecamps. LOL
Posted 2008-05-07 2:04 PM (#83409 - in reply to #83402) Subject: RE: Gooseneck coupler lock?
Location: Where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain...
No, I meant don't. The lock only locks the ability to crank the jack. If you raise the trailer 1" and then raise the drop leg approximately 3" for each hole, you are gaining ground clearance. You can navigate a lot of places with 6-8" of clearance. If you drop your leg 1 hole, and set it on a 2" board, when you raise the foot you will have 5" clearance...2 holes will be 8"...3 holes will be 11". All of these are approximates, but you get the idea. If you use the thin plank, it will help, but most people will use as many holes as possible, or use a big block, to have to crank less.
From error on my part, it was amazing when I learned how far I could take my trailer with the jack leg only up 6-8".
Posted 2008-05-07 4:42 PM (#83440 - in reply to #83409) Subject: RE: Gooseneck coupler lock?
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Posts: 235
Location: Bucksport, Maine
Originally written by Tresvolte on 2008-05-07 2:04 PM
No, I meant don't. The lock only locks the ability to crank the jack. If you raise the trailer 1" and then raise the drop leg approximately 3" for each hole, you are gaining ground clearance. You can navigate a lot of places with 6-8" of clearance. If you drop your leg 1 hole, and set it on a 2" board, when you raise the foot you will have 5" clearance...2 holes will be 8"...3 holes will be 11". All of these are approximates, but you get the idea. If you use the thin plank, it will help, but most people will use as many holes as possible, or use a big block, to have to crank less.
I feel so dense. The way I see it, the more jack leg that is extended, the LESS clearance there is when the trailer is hooked to a truck... because the leg is stuck hanging down there.
If the lock secures the jack leg so that the leg cannot move, and if I leave the front of the trailer so that it is higher than or equal to the height of the ball of the truck, then how can someone even lower it far enough to drop it onto the ball of a truck? I guess they could come along with one that's 10" higher than my GMC, and THAT would give them some clearance between the foot and the ground, but damn sure if they bring in anything close to the height of my ball they're going to have a hard time getting the coupler lowered onto the ball and still having room between the jack leg and the ground.
Posted 2008-05-07 4:57 PM (#83443 - in reply to #83352) Subject: RE: Gooseneck coupler lock?
Location: Where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain...
Floor jack, bottle jack, hi lift, any other jack that is portable. Stick it under the trailer, lift the weight off the leg, raise the drop foot, and lower it on any truck. Drive away.
Posted 2008-05-08 8:36 AM (#83488 - in reply to #83352) Subject: RE: Gooseneck coupler lock?
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Posts: 5870
Location: western PA
If you have a jack leg with a spring foot, it will snap up when you pull the release pin. How far will determine on how many holes the leg was extended.
Posted 2008-05-09 12:24 PM (#83591 - in reply to #83352) Subject: RE: Gooseneck coupler lock?
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Posts: 112
Location: Bow, NH
Jeepers, I never even thought about locking the coupler bolts but it makes sense. Just more thing to stay awake thinking about. I usually keep my truck parked with the bed under the goosneck. That way they will have to get the truck moved first, then swap out the coupler. If they want it that bad they can have it.
On second thought, I think I will put my Rotwielers dog house under the goosneck....