Didn't want to steal the other thread, but Gard mentioned about ideas to prevent trailer theft. Have thought about a coupler lock for years, but ours have a pair of hydraulic jacks on that operate by a key. Yes, one could bypass the key but to get to wires is pretty involved. Has anyone ever heard of a trailer being stolen with this set up? What other ideas are there to prevent? Ours is insured so wondering how most insurance companies treat people that had a stolen trailer.

Thanks.

The various locks that are installed between and around the wheels seem most secure. If the trailer can't be easily moved, the chances of theft are greatly decreased. 

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/x-chock-tire-locking-chock/43891

These are akward to use, but for a trailer that will sit unattended for lengths of time, may be more resistant to theft.

Most locking devices that are installed on the bottom of the GN couplers, can be by passed by jacking the trailer with an auxillary jack, setting the locked pin inside a wheel placed over a hitch ball in the bed, and towed away.

Once the trailer can be relocated and worked on at will, the lock, pin or any other security mechanism, can be altered or mechanically removed. 

A BP hitch is especially easy to steal, and happens quite often with boat trailers. Regardless of the hitch lock being used, the trailer tongue can be jacked up, the safety chains are crossed underneath and attached to the receiver. The jack is removed, with the tongue being cradled and supported by the chains, the trailer is then easily moved.

Later the coupler and lock can be removed as a unit, and replaced with a new coupler, allowing the trailer to be used normally.

I saw this lock in use by dealers at the National Western Stock Show in Denver.  At least some of the dealerships were using them. 

We use a lock that clamps around the wheel.  They are easy to install and remove. 

http://www.amazon.com/Club-491-Tire-Security-Device/dp/B000SDVEU4/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Maybe, maybe not... May work OK on a single axle trailer if I don't want to bother putting the spare on. If the trailer has torsion axles, I'll just pull the lugs off of that wheel along with your boot and leave it in the yard...

 Best way I've seen is to lock the jack so it doesn't move up or down and chain the wheels together on one side so they cant turn..... Goosenecks are easier to steal than the bumper pull trailers.

Those locks and chain, boots, hitch locks are no better than a good set of 30" Ridgid Bolt cutters with the hardened jaws..... Or a Dremel Lithium Ion Cordless Rotary Tool will cut a 3/8" lock in about 35 seconds. A 24 volt, battery powered side grinder with angle cutoff wheel will cut a hardened 3/8" lock in less than 10 seconds.

So, if someone wants your trailer bad enough, they will take it..... Be sure your insurance premium is paid up on time.....!!

Yea, that is kinda what I was thinking-plenty of insurance and documentation of what is in the trailer. Maybe better that they just take it than damage it and leave it there trying to take it.

I have took out the coupler but appears that doesn't work anymore either.

Wonder if anyone has ever been inside a trailer when taken? That would be an interesting story....

QUOTE...Wonder if anyone has ever been inside a trailer when taken? That would be an interesting story....

LOL!! I would probably do more damage shooting though the side of the trailer than they would do trying to steal it...  Imagine the look on their face when those bullets come ripping through that aluminum skin from the inside out!!! Wonder which way they would run..?

I like the sounds of that. They used to use those on cars.

I've also read of folks who paint a number or special symbol on the roof of their trailer ...  not noticeable to the thief ... but can be spotted by air.

For dealerships ... chains around the axles through cement blocks under the trailer? (deterent .. hard to crawl under there and cut chain) Or.. I've seen at TSCs where they have that cable device looped through all the equipment outside that is hooked up to an alarm system that goes off if it's cut or disconnected without the alarm being turned off.

I knew a guy that had those on some of his equipment with those on them that was stolen and they found them down in Mexico.  So they must work, didn't realize they were that cheap. 

It's true that if they want it bad enough,they will get it,and a lock keeps an honest person honest,and other sayings.

Most agree,but,as law officials will tell you,it doesn't hurt to slow them down.we had an officer who worked in Crimestoppers for years in our family.He has said often that most thieves are looking for the quick and easy.they'll bypass 10 locked cars in a parking lot,until they find the unlocked one and so on.You get the idea.If someone has to make much noise or take much time,especially in an area where there are others around,they'll pass.

So,at least,it doesn't hurt to slow them down.Who knows: maybe you'll happen to get the guy who doesn't want to take the time to remove the lock that you've chosen to take the trailer.It's worth a try.

The GPS devices are popular in the construction industry.  They especially have a problem since most machines have identical keys.

All Case Backhoes use the same key for example. As a general contactor I keep a selection of keys in my truck. If I need to move a sub contractors piece of equipment and I cant find him, I just go get a CAT out of my ash tray or a Kobelco Key or a  CASE key. So by keeping 6-8 keys in my truck, I can move almost any type of machinary that might be blocking the way around a job site.

This creats a vast opportunity for theifs who show up in the night and just start and drive off backhoe or loader.  So the hidden GPS devices have found a home that world.   Thieves have learned to disconnect the batteries as quickly as possible.  Start the tractor, Drive it on a transport trailer, disconnect the battery.  Since the GPS is not active untill the notice the equipment is missing and call to activate the GPS.  The equipment can be long gone if stolen by a professional. 

But this product does catch the dumb crook who just grabbed something on impluse and is not educated about anti theift devices.

Local cops tell the story about using RFID tags ( like how the price products for store scanners)  Had somebody stealing money from a cash registerm and usually taking a couple of packs of cigerettes every night.  They hide a RFID in the pack of cigerettes and next morning found the bad guy with the missing cash and cigerettes.