Securing trailers - what do you use?

[MagicMelon]

I've always used a wheel clamp, but its not working anymore and twice now I've forgotten its on and tried to drive off (and now with a new trailer I don't want to break it!). There's lots of "types" to choose from but I worry about what is easy to use since it'll be taken on and off pretty much most weekends.

I tried one of these http://www.amazon.co.uk/Multiple-Po...8&qid=1447258604&sr=8-1&keywords=trailer+lock the other day but I couldnt get the bar over the top of my Batesons hitch - just wasn't long enough so need to get something which fits as well!

Recommendations please

 

[furrycat]

I'm interested in this too as I've just bought a trailer. It came with a wheel clamp, which I'm using, and it also has the standard locking hitch. I've ordered one of those plastic balls that lock into the hitch too. I would like to get a cover to lock over the entire hitch but I'm not sure which one to go for.

 

[Annagain]

I have a Bulldog SAS clamp. It's pretty easy to put on and off, but the way it works it you have to insert an Allen Key into a hole to loosen or tighten it up. You then lock it by inserting a barrel into the hole that locks in place. This means that it's quite easy to lose the locking barrel. The good news is you can buy replacements quite easily. I'm on number 3 (in 10 years so not too bad!) Amazingly I've never lost the Allen Key. I always hang it through a hole in the frame of the trailer. Again, it's easy to buy an Allen Key to replace it if you lose it.

I also lock the hitchlock, including locking onto the tow bar when hitched up and the trailer's kept behind locked gates too.

 

[dornrose]

I have a bulldog lock - it goes over the hitch and you can use it when the trailer is hitched to the car so safer if you trailer out to hacking as it will be securely locked onto the car.

 

[Annie B.]

Two bull dog wheel clamps, the hitch has it's own lock but I also have a ball lock which goes in the hitch up and can't be cut out and a large padlock on the gate.

 

[Llanali]

Annagain, we were told not to lock it onto the tow bar whilst driving by ifor Williams ? I suppose yours
Might not be IW

I use a standard large hitch lock, and it's behind locked gates, In full view of the house. It's also in tatty exterior condition currently waiting sanding and painting so that helps!

 

[Micky]

Bulldog clamp and the wheel lock thingy!

 

[Clannad48]

Bulldog clamp (insisted on by insurers) which must be fitted to a back wheel and one of those rubber ball things that you lock in the tow hitch. It is also data tagged and kept out of sight of the road and behind locked gates when no-one is at the yard.

 

[Clannad48]

Annagain, we were told not to lock it onto the tow bar whilst driving by ifor Williams ? I suppose yours
Might not be IW

Llanali - did they give a reason for this - I have always locked our IW trailer to the tow car

 

[Tiddlypom]

Llanali - did they give a reason for this - I have always locked our IW trailer to the tow car

It's in case of an accident or a vehicle fire, which would require the easy release of the trailer from the vehicle, without fumbling for keys.

It's fine to lock the trailer to the vehicle when it's parked up, but not when it's being towed.

 

[Shutterbug]

I have a Universal Coupler Lock - they are pesky things to get on and off - anyone wanting to steal my trailer would need plenty of time to get the damn thing off

 

[Clannad48]

It's in case of an accident or a vehicle fire, which would require the easy release of the trailer from the vehicle, without fumbling for keys.

It's fine to lock the trailer to the vehicle when it's parked up, but not when it's being towed.

Tiddlypom, thank you for this, I thought this should be the case but was advised to lock the trailer to the car when travelling. I will no longer lock the trailer to the car whilst driving.