Locking trailer on vehicle - yes or no?

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MagicMelon

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As above really. Have been told mixed things about this. We've been told it's best to lock it onto the vehicle for safety (ie. to try and stop it coming off the vehicle if something happened and to stop people trying to steal it when parked), yet have also been told not to because then if the jeep caught fire or whatever we couldnt then get the trailer off and pushed away quick enough!

Opinions on if it should be done or not please?
 
we always look ours on, i always worry about it coming off. i suppose the key is aways in my pocket i dont think it would take any longer to get off
 
Do you mean putting a padlock on the saftey break wire thingy? I personally dont (because I'm not sure how I could on mine) but obviously the break-away cable is still attached. A friend of mine does, but like immybrook_stud said, if the key is in your pocket or something, it wouldnt take a second to unlock the padlock?
 
I take it you mean the actual keyed lock in the hitch? Once the hitchlock is attached unless someone tampers with it it should not come unhitched so I believe matters little if the hitch is locked or not. If I was parking up the trailer overnight & leaving it unattended then I would lock it for obvious reasons.
 
Always lock trailer on. Mind you don't do as my friend did and lock it on then promptly lose the keys or you'll end up driving round with a trailer attached for weeks whilst the manufacturers sort out a new set of keys!!
 
When I bought the hitch lock from the caravan shop they told me that it was illegal to tow with it on so If I used it when parked up to remember to always remove it before setting off onto the road.
 
I usually lock mine on, just with the built-in hitch lock though not a separate one. I hoped it would stop the trailer unhitching itself (if thats even possible!), but I have no idea if it actually does.
 
no, i never lock it on - it wont come off and if i did need it off in a hurry i wouldn't want to faff around with unlocking it. i should probably lock it when i get to a show though - stop someone walking away with it.
 
I use to lock mine if we went to the forrest or a hack on beach I was always worried I'd come back to no trailer. My lock was on the trailer any way so I don't see it would make a difference if it was locked or off.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Mind you don't do as my friend did and lock it on then promptly lose the keys or you'll end up driving round with a trailer attached for weeks whilst the manufacturers sort out a new set of keys!!

[/ QUOTE ]

PMSL!

I never have it on when I am driving. I do lock it when stationary or if i am leaving the box for a while at a show for example.
 
Absolutely not.
Had a lesson when I first got my trailer, Bockman, and was told to never ever travel with the trailer locked (hitch lock) to the vehicle.

The reason being that if for any reason the trailer turns over, if it is locked to the vehicle, the vehicle will go with it. Whilst the idea of the trailer going over is grim, being too injured to assist the horse is even worse.

I only use the lock when we are out ie showgrounds.

Why not contact your trailer's manufacturers and ask for their recommendations for your model.
 
No not when towing but yes at destination as our insurance would be void if we didn't have a hitchlock and wheelclamp on the trailer and it was stolen.
 
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