Towball Lock.

Firefly · Guru

Towball Lock.

Vic · Guru

Hi FF, I have the type that fits over the tow ball receiver with a wrap around over where you put the lock to prevent anyone cutting it off. There is another similar one you can buy which you can use for both when your van is on or off the tug that should be good too but a bit dearer. You can get the ones that fit inside the towball with a key lock, but horses for courses, I prefer the one that is more visible to deter thieves. Also good to use on the garden trailer at home.

Mind you it is only to deter the opportunistic thieves, it would not stop organised thieves who would just hook a chain around your van etc or use and angle grinder.

Here are a few types to look at, mine is similar to one but has a fold over where the padlock goes and is not seen here. Trailer Cops also shown.

http://www.campertrailers.org/securing_your_camper.htm

-- Edited by Vic on Wednesday 25th of May 2011 03:05:12 PM

gordon_adl · Senior Member

I think I have the same kind as you vic. They're clever and cheap enough. I have a believe that a lock only keeps the honest people from stealing. If someone really wants my equipment...what's that saying 'where there is a will there is a way'.

Ma · Guru

We have the key type one Fly. Will ask Blue when he gets back from fishing and let you know.

DKay · Veteran Member

I have just purchased this one - fits inside and is opened with the allan key and then locked.

$50-$60

A friend had the "wrap around" type and it was cut off with an angle grinder. The van was in "secure storage" at the time and he feels it was an "inside job".

This type (pictured) may deter/slow up a thief just that little bit longer (maybe) to be detected.

These gadgets are only designed to stop the "honest thief"

Cheers

Doug

-- Edited by DKay on Wednesday 25th of May 2011 03:30:01 PM

delapan · Senior Member

i use the ARK trailer lock ,easy to use about $70.00 from supercheap auto, regards, gary

Firefly · Guru

Thanks guys, I will now have a little research and see which one himself will like best of all.

I know it won't stop the real theif but we will be with the van most of the time anyway. smile

peter and rose · Veteran Member

I use a combination of the lock with the wraparound and a good insurance policy
If they want it nothing will stop the pro so for peace of mind a good insurance company will at least cover the loss if the worst happens.

Firefly · Guru

Couldn't agree more thats for sure. We have it insured but a deterent when we are out there is the best we can hope for the opportunist theif is all any of us can really deter isn't it.

goinsoon · Guru

Don't forget the locking pin for the hitch where it goes into the square recepticle

jimricho · Guru

Just a suggestion for what it's worth..... check your insurance policy to see what is acceptable and what isn't in the event of a claim.

Firefly · Guru

Ahh now thats not such a bad suggestion Jim, thanks for that. smile

GS, I will leave that up to himself to organise, I am flat out understanding the tow ball mate.

Smokeydk · Guru

FF I think these are the best

jules47 · The Happy Helper

I have that one - but my hubby made it - with hardened steel (he was a boilermaker) - not easy to cut through - and you can't get at the lock because of the way it is made. They aren't that expensive to buy though - he just was like that - why buy it - I can make it better -

Wombat 280 · Guru

Smokeydk wrote:
FF I think these are the best

Agree Easy to install very visible . I insure with club marine for my boat and they say it must be a recognized locking system, so as a safe guard keep your receipt just in case it's called into question.. I always scan my receipts of this nature as the normal registered receipt is hardly readable within weeks

gordon_adl · Senior Member

That's the one I've got

Smokeydk wrote:
FF I think these are the best

Firefly · Guru

Ok guys, thanks heaps for that, I will go to super cheap tomorrow and grab one AND scan the receipt Wombat, good idea mate, had many a receipt fade on me.

Helena · Guru

We have the same one as DK has an allen key to it then a lock key as well Helena.

Vic · Guru

gordon_adl wrote:
I think I have the same kind as you vic. They're clever and cheap enough. I have a believe that a lock only keeps the honest people from stealing. If someone really wants my equipment...what's that saying 'where there is a will there is a way'.
I believe some of the thieves just unbolt the whole tongue assembly with the lock on it and bolt their own on it (with no lock), hook up and drive away. Or some simply use a chain to put around yours and hook that up towing it out of sight then sorting it out then........As has already been said will only deter the real amateur.......

jimricho · Guru

How effective are wheel clamps?

Firefly · Guru

Yeah thats a fact isn't it. But it is just a deterent for any wanna be's and hopefully it will work.
Thanks for all your help guys.

Jim I wondered about the wheel clamp as well mate.

Vic · Guru

Deleted......reply superimposing.......not sure if its my keyboard as it only happens on GN posts/pm's

When I try to type the next line confuse

-- Edited by Vic on Thursday 26th of May 2011 10:21:09 AM

jules47 · The Happy Helper

When we first got our van, and parked it on the area at the front of the house we had made, some low llife cut the power lead plug, right at the point where wires go into the plug - took the plug - our old trailer had been sitting in the front yard for about 7 years, with the same plug on it - no-one ever went near it.
John made a cage type thing and bolted it to a-frame, closed with a lock, power plug goes in - thieves can't get at it. Shame when we have to think of all these security bits and pieces isn't it?

Firefly · Guru

Yeah its a real pain mate.

Smokeydk · Guru

Jim I have a set on my van like these.....any wider tyres and the clamp wouldnt fit.....

if the van was towed.....I guess the clamp would cause a lot of damage to the wheel arches

gordon_adl · Senior Member

I can't help myself. This pic reminds me of the simpons episode where homer is in new york and his car had a parking infringement on it so they clamped his wheel. He then drove it away like that.
Smokeydk wrote:
Jim I have a set on my van like these.....any wider tyres and the clamp wouldnt fit.....
if the van was towed.....I guess the clamp would cause a lot of damage to the wheel arches

jimricho · Guru

I guess all one can do is make it difficult for the thieves and be able to show the insurance mob that a genuine effort is being made. I would need a wheel clamp to fit around a 235 x 75 x 15 wheel, a bit wider than a normal "on road" tyre. At present I'm just putting a pin through the hole in the Treg hitch (not the Treg pin) and a padlock through a hole in the pin. The padlock is a type that can't be cut with bolt cutters but I guess an angle grinder would make short work of it.