My name is Ken Gustafson and my wife and I own Gushill Industries which in turn owns www.trailerlocksonline.com . We design..build... get Patents and sell trailer locks. We do not have all trailer locks in our line up yet....the U.S. Patent Process is very drawn out ...takes time and costs a bunch of money....in like $15,000 per each one. We are waiting on our next Patent for a lock for gooseneck trailer hookups using a 2 5/16" ball. At the present time we have the DaKing lock for king pin setups using gooseneck trailers and all heavy equipment type trailers. Hopefully we can get some feedback within this site on what you think about what we do or do not do yet.We have "Puck Locks" that are secure up to a point and then we have Puck Locks that are extremely secure. Hopefully we can all help each other in slowing down trailer theft. I am not computer sharp but give it my best shot all of the time. Thank you Ken
Posted 2009-05-12 6:41 PM (#104800 - in reply to #104799) Subject: RE: new to this site
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1160 Location: Denver Colorado
I asked Ken to come to the forum and get opinions on what horse folk would like to see in a trailer coupler lock. I'll be reviewing them here, but I have my opinions and would like to see what users have in mind. I've seen several types from couplers to jack locks. If manufactures ask the end users what they need, we'll get better products.
Posted 2009-05-12 7:15 PM (#104807 - in reply to #104803) Subject: RE: new to this site
Member
Posts: 48 Location: Jackson,California 95642
Thank you for the feedback. In searching on trailer theft. No problem on getting the facts in what is reported on trailer theft. Just nothing on what types of trailers or where the trailers are stolen from. No problem in getting the overall $$$$ figures. But how much in Horse...Boat...equipment or anything specific. Ken
Posted 2009-05-12 11:31 PM (#104822 - in reply to #104799) Subject: RE: new to this site
Expert
Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
Hello Ken ...
Here's my opinion ... (everyone has them) The problem with every GN trailer hitch lock I'm aware of, is the ease that they can be defeated with a readily available item. In less than a single Minute... I & an accomplice can steal an unattended trailer with a GN lock.
(You may PM me for the details. I'd rather not make the crime easy and wide spread over the Internet)
I have a solution, but making money from it would be difficult since it's simple to duplicate.
Posted 2009-05-13 7:47 AM (#104829 - in reply to #104822) Subject: RE: new to this site
Location: Where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain...
Welcome to the forum Ken.
Originally written by hosspuller on 2009-05-12 11:31 PM
Hello Ken ...
Here's my opinion ... (everyone has them) The problem with every GN trailer hitch lock I'm aware of, is the ease that they can be defeated with a readily available item. In less than a single Minute... I & an accomplice can steal an unattended trailer with a GN lock.
I have to agree with hosspuller. I have seen a lot of gooseneck coupler locks out there. None that aren't defeatable. Same with jack locks. Most are cast and can be broken easy enough, but for those that aren't, there is actually a much easier way and they don't have to touch the lock. Or have any tools.
I have a couple of friends that sell trailers. Both have had trailers stolen at the fairgrounds in Oklahoma City with coupler locks on the trailers.
Posted 2009-05-13 10:48 AM (#104847 - in reply to #104799) Subject: RE: Trailer coupler locks
Member
Posts: 48 Location: Jackson,California 95642
I am not very good on computers and I am even less at typing. So if I could coax someone into telling me how to send a private message that would be helpful or send me a private message and I can answer.It is best....in my opinion....to always tell the truth. Very hard for me to say...I am ignorant or stupid or do not know about computers but it is the truth. Ken
Posted 2009-05-13 10:59 AM (#104848 - in reply to #104799) Subject: RE: Trailer coupler locks
Location: Where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain...
Top left corner right below the buttons for Forums, Albums, Search, etc You should see a line that says Welcome, Ken. There are 0 new messages in your inbox. Click on the word inbox. On the next page is a box labeled ACTIONS. Click on type a new message. That'll get you started.
Posted 2009-05-13 1:07 PM (#104852 - in reply to #104825) Subject: RE: Trailer coupler locks
Elite Veteran
Posts: 681 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
Paul... Thank you, thank you!! I've been looking for this exact tire locking system for some time and no one has been able to point me in the right direction... I've even googled it and have not found this exact site... That is EXACTLY what I've been looking for...
Posted 2009-05-13 4:25 PM (#104870 - in reply to #104799) Subject: RE: Trailer coupler locks
Member
Posts: 48 Location: Jackson,California 95642
Has anyone used the trailer locks that attach to the wheels?In my weak mind I cannot understand what would stop the trailer from just turning the lock on the wheels into junk by just driving off with the lock on the wheels. May damage the fender some but do not grasp the lock stopping anything with the weight involved. I could use a perspective on how the lock is supposed to work. Ken
Posted 2009-05-13 9:22 PM (#104876 - in reply to #104870) Subject: RE: Trailer coupler locks
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by ken@gushill.com on 2009-05-13 5:25 PM
Has anyone used the trailer locks that attach to the wheels?In my weak mind I cannot understand what would stop the trailer from just turning the lock on the wheels into junk by just driving off with the lock on the wheels. May damage the fender some but do not grasp the lock stopping anything with the weight involved. I could use a perspective on how the lock is supposed to work. Ken
These wheel locks are like the classic DENVER BOOT...Tell me that you will not attract attention going down the road with one side of the trailer wheels NOT turning...The lock will roll over until it tangles with the rear wheel and then everything is jammed up...The thief would have trouble trying to drill the lock as the cylinder spins in its engagement hole...and they are extremely tough to pick because they are the same pin locks that the parking bureau uses...
Posted 2009-05-13 10:26 PM (#104879 - in reply to #104822) Subject: RE: new to this site
Expert
Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
Originally written by hosspuller on 2009-05-12 8:31 PM
I have a solution, but making money from it would be difficult since it's simple to duplicate.
And here is my solution. Everyone is free to use it.
Take a 2 5/16 hitch ball. Weld the end of a 24 inch piece of 1 1/2 pipe to the bottom of it. Lock the ball into your hitch using a shrouded padlock.
The pipe hanging from your hitch is an obvious sign that you're aware of thieves and their techniques. It is hard to cut since it'll rotate in the hitch. It'll take another pair of hands to hold it for a pipe cutter or saw. If you wanted to get really cute, make the the pipe turn on an internal shaft. A displacement pipe cutter will be frustrated and a saw will be slowed
Because of the shroud, bolt cutters and hammers have a difficult time on the lock. Not impossible, but it takes time.
Yes... the hitch tube can be removed. Again, time is on your side.
Any Time that you delay the thieves in making their getaway makes your trailer too much risk. There are lots of other trailers that're easier pickin's
Posted 2009-05-14 12:38 AM (#104884 - in reply to #104882) Subject: RE: new to this site
Expert
Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
Originally written by loveduffy on 2009-05-13 8:42 PM
that sound good but would en they just remove the whole couple form the trailer and put on a new on??
LD ... The whole point is to slow the thieves. Stretch the 60 seconds I spoke of, into minutes. In this case, a trailer not hitched to a vehicle is the target. To remove the coupler, a couple of large screws have to be released. A big wrench or a big guy is required. A couple of minutes is also required to put the new hitch tube into place.
Time, Time, Time, ... It is a truth: When seconds count, the police can be on scene in minutes.
Therefore, to prevent a sucessful theft, turn the seconds into minutes.
Posted 2009-05-14 9:22 AM (#104907 - in reply to #104884) Subject: RE: new to this site
Member
Posts: 48 Location: Jackson,California 95642
A question I would have.... How many trailer owners adjust these tubes on the gooseneck? We are talking about these 2 screws that allow the tube to move up and down so that the trailer has adjustment to keep level.Personally I have several friends and know of many individuals who have never....not even once...made this adjustment. In this forum I would like to know more about how often this happens... if possible.To those who never make this adjustment...a couple of tack welds would remove the possiblity of the tube being removed or adjusted without prior planning by someone with knowledge and the right tools.Comments please....Ken
Posted 2009-05-14 9:42 AM (#104908 - in reply to #104799) Subject: RE: Trailer coupler locks
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
I've only adjusted them once, that was the day I brought them home. Four different trailers, only pull them with one truck. If I were to trade trucks, they may need a slight adjustment. Got them adjusted so they ride maybe an 1/2 to 1 inch high in the front when loaded.
A tack weld would slow them down from swapping hitches, but not from stealing the trailer...... Give me a spare tire and wheel and your gooseneck trailer will be gone before you can find the key to your lock....
Posted 2009-05-14 9:47 AM (#104909 - in reply to #104799) Subject: RE: Trailer coupler locks
Regular
Posts: 83
I adjust mine often, as I use different trucks. If you have a flatbed truck, compared to a regular bed, there is a big difference. If you use the same truck all the time, it wouldn't matter much. Until you trade in, or have to use a friends truck.
Posted 2009-05-14 10:16 AM (#104917 - in reply to #104799) Subject: RE: Trailer coupler locks
Member
Posts: 48 Location: Jackson,California 95642
Feedback is important to all that have a gooseneck trailer hitch. I am aware, now, that several issues are going to come into play.It is important that each is addressed...for now....the topic is adjustment height of the actual gooseneck. So far the input is.... 1 no adjustment and 1 many adjustments.Thank you for the help....Ken
Posted 2009-05-14 1:48 PM (#104931 - in reply to #104917) Subject: RE: Trailer coupler locks
Location: Where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain...
Originally written by hosspuller on 2009-05-13 10:26 PM
And here is my solution. Everyone is free to use it.
Take a 2 5/16 hitch ball. Weld the end of a 24 inch piece of 1 1/2 pipe to the bottom of it. Lock the ball into your hitch using a shrouded padlock.
The pipe hanging from your hitch is an obvious sign that you're aware of thieves and their techniques. It is hard to cut since it'll rotate in the hitch. It'll take another pair of hands to hold it for a pipe cutter or saw. If you wanted to get really cute, make the the pipe turn on an internal shaft. A displacement pipe cutter will be frustrated and a saw will be slowed
Because of the shroud, bolt cutters and hammers have a difficult time on the lock. Not impossible, but it takes time.
Yes... the hitch tube can be removed. Again, time is on your side.
Any Time that you delay the thieves in making their getaway makes your trailer too much risk. There are lots of other trailers that're easier pickin's
If you lengthen the pipe, they won't be able to drop the coupler out with out jacking the trailer. That would slow it down enough to make a difference. Best idea I have heard for locking a coupler.
Anything you do to slow it down will help, but the only thing that will stop it is the tire locks. With a conventional coupler lock, Retento is right. Without a hitch in your truck, and with a spare tire, you can back under it and take off. They are stealing your trailer and your coupler lock.
As far as tacking my adjustment nuts so the coupler cannot be removed, I wouldn't personally. I have 4 trailers and two trucks. I try to use the truck with the same trailers all the time but it doesn't always work that way. Plus I have family that borrow two of them on occasion, and they couplers are getting moved quite a bit.
Posted 2009-05-14 4:29 PM (#104933 - in reply to #104799) Subject: RE: Trailer coupler locks
Member
Posts: 48 Location: Jackson,California 95642
2 make adjustments to gooseneck tube often. 1 makes no adjustment to the tube. Thank You.... with all of the members it should be picking up with those who have a gooseneck hitch that uses a trailer ball.It would also be helpful if I knew how many have the gooseneck hitch that have a king pin hitch instead of the Ball. Please....Ken
Posted 2009-05-14 8:12 PM (#104935 - in reply to #104799) Subject: RE: Trailer coupler locks
Member
Posts: 48 Location: Jackson,California 95642
After I have posted.....I come back and it does not read right to me.So I post again. 2 individuals have stated they make adjustments regularly.1 has stated that he made 1 movement when he first bought trailer then no movement.These are for gooseneck trailers and the up and down movement of the actual gooseneck. Ken
Posted 2009-05-14 11:29 PM (#104949 - in reply to #104799) Subject: RE: Trailer coupler locks
Expert
Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
I only have one tow vehicle. After intial set up, my trailer neck over height is fixed. A couple of years of rust should help against the trailer thieves.
Ken... You might get a good idea of the market if you can research the number of tow vehicles a trailer owner has. Multiple tow vehicles mean adjustments to the trailer. A single tow vehicle with the exception of generous trailer owners means few if any adjustments.
Trailer coupler locks
