Trailer security and cameras

[Miggy99]

Evening all. A combination question here. I’m about to buy my first trailer, an Ifor Williams 505. Firstly does anyone have any good ideas for securing the ramps and jockey door? I’m wondering about bolts inside the upper doors to drop into the ramps?
And secondly, cameras. I feel a reverting camera will be a good idea as I’ll be towing with a Ford Ranger so a lot of length to manoeuvre, but possibly an internal camera too.
Not a huge budget, but interested to hear your ideas on all

 

[patseyr]

Hi there, not sure what you mean about securing the ramp? is it for when its lifted up ? there is usually a latch with a pin to stop it loosening.

Great idea for the camera, I'm sure you can pick some up cheap on amazon, and there may be a way that it could be connected into the jeeps reversing camera system. Alternatively you could pick a camera and screen and mount it somewhere in the dash or windscreen and run a cable to the back yourself. You may need to run another connector to remove when taking off the trailer. There are camera and screens available for around 100£ for use on Agri Trailers / tractors.

There are also some wireless ones which are more expensive but lees time for the installation.

 

[Miggy99]

Hi there, not sure what you mean about securing the ramp? is it for when its lifted up ? there is usually a latch with a pin to stop it loosening.

Great idea for the camera, I'm sure you can pick some up cheap on amazon, and there may be a way that it could be connected into the jeeps reversing camera system. Alternatively you could pick a camera and screen and mount it somewhere in the dash or windscreen and run a cable to the back yourself. You may need to run another connector to remove when taking off the trailer. There are camera and screens available for around 100£ for use on Agri Trailers / tractors.

There are also some wireless ones which are more expensive but lees time for the installation.

I’m thinking more for securing the ramp when it’s closed to avoid break in etc. Or am I overthinking? I think because I had a key lock on my old lorry’s grooms door the idea of just closing up with anti-luce fasteners makes me feel a bit weird

 

[phizz4]

I wouldn’t bother securing the doors or ramp, they won’t want to get in the trailer. At the end of the day you need a deterrent, make life hard for them, as they can get through most wheel clamps etc. given time. Hitch lock, wheel lock, padlock and heavy duty chain around the front A frame to something very solid (staple embedded in concrete, tree, steel girder). If the trailer is close to the house fit a rape alarm under the chassis and tie the release cable to a wheel, so if the trailer is moved the alarm is triggered. Put your mobile number on the roof in large numbers.

 

[patseyr]

I wouldn’t bother securing the doors or ramp, they won’t want to get in the trailer. At the end of the day you need a deterrent, make life hard for them, as they can get through most wheel clamps etc. given time. Hitch lock, wheel lock, padlock and heavy duty chain around the front A frame to something very solid (staple embedded in concrete, tree, steel girder). If the trailer is close to the house fit a rape alarm under the chassis and tie the release cable to a wheel, so if the trailer is moved the alarm is triggered. Put your mobile number on the roof in large numbers.

Good info there, may be useful sometimes to have a lock on the trailer if your storing stuff in the back while out on the horse such as rugs wellies, bits and bobs, but usually your not too far away and nothing too valuable. I suppose a lock may put someone having a look!

 

[Bobthecob15]

Data tags are also pretty good deterrents, you can stick tiny dots on the inside of the trailer and if it was ever stolen thieves probably wouldn’t be able to find them all to remove them…also has a big sticker on the frame warning that it is security tagged. https://www.datatag.co.uk/trailers.php

We have a data tag with microdots, 2 locks, postcode on the roof Apple air tags hidden inside it are also a good idea.

 

[dorsetladette]

I think you can put small padlocks through the clips/closing bit on the ramp and doors on the older Ifors.

Have a look at what others have done on your yard.

In all honesty I would be more concerned about security of the trailer being taken rather than broken into. It seems endless lately of trailers being stolen local to me. One was taken a few days ago from a field outside police head quarters, this one had a wheel lock and a tow hitch lock which were cut off and left in the field. The trailer was where the lady stored her rugs, hay and feed so she lost a lot more than just the trailer.

sorry to be doom and gloom but normal wheel locks and hitch locks just don't seem to be a deterrent anymore.

 

[Jambarissa]

You don't need to secure the trailer, dont leave anything in it at home and only your haynets when out. You throw head collar, travel boots etc into your car and lock.

Having the trailer stolen is a far greater concern. Best thing is a bespoke paint job, make it one of a kind and it's too risky to transport and expensive to repaint. Stickers peel off but leave a shadow so large decals are better than nothing. As above buy every security device possible but be aware they'll cut them off if there's no one to hear.

Also think about how you'll keep it safe when you're out. I put hitch and wheel locks on at nearly every event, and daren't leave it random places to go hacking.

Its easier to just insure it and accept the risks tbh.

Cameras, I bought a magnetic wireless one from amazon that shows on a phone app after my expensive fitted one let in water and died. It was about £70 and is brilliant. It's not on there now but lots of similar ones.

 

[Miggy99]

You don't need to secure the trailer, dont leave anything in it at home and only your haynets when out. You throw head collar, travel boots etc into your car and lock.

Having the trailer stolen is a far greater concern. Best thing is a bespoke paint job, make it one of a kind and it's too risky to transport and expensive to repaint. Stickers peel off but leave a shadow so large decals are better than nothing. As above buy every security device possible but be aware they'll cut them off if there's no one to hear.

Also think about how you'll keep it safe when you're out. I put hitch and wheel locks on at nearly every event, and daren't leave it random places to go hacking.

Its easier to just insure it and accept the risks tbh.

Cameras, I bought a magnetic wireless one from amazon that shows on a phone app after my expensive fitted one let in water and died. It was about £70 and is brilliant. It's not on there now but lots of similar ones.

Thankyou, yes I think that’s the way to go. I’ve been looking at datatags so will probably go that route along with hitch and wheel locks. The bespoke paint job is a good idea. It currently has a sticker on the offside which is fairly unique I think and I do plan to add stickers elsewhere including bright coloured “horses” sticker I have left over from when I had a lorry! Definitely will be insuring it as well.

I’ve seen the magnetic cameras on Amazon. I wasn’t sure how strong the magnet was for actually travelling with it attached. Obviously handy too that that can be removed and secured in vehicle when parked up.

 

[brighteyes]

Use a datatag and tracker for security over the physical clamps and other immobilsing equipment.

I use an Autovox wireless reversing camera internally an its great. i wired it direct into my internal trailer light. Works fine and has done for 3 years now.

 

[rabatsa]

I suspect a thief would target taking a trailer with padlocked ramp over others, in the hope that there was something of value inside.

 

[Miggy99]

I suspect a thief would target taking a trailer with padlocked ramp over others, in the hope that there was something of value inside.

That’s actually a really good point

 

[Northern Hare]

A friend's horse decided to sharpen his teeth on the outside of the panels of her then new Ifor Williams 510 - leaving big arcs scraped into the paintwork.

The trailer was stored at the yard with similar IW trailers, and hers was the only one left behind when the thieves broke in and stole the other trailers!

So as others have said above, try and make your trailer a bit unique - custom paint job / decals / your postcode stenciled onto every panel, etc etc.

 

[Countrygirl40]

Data tags are also pretty good deterrents, you can stick tiny dots on the inside of the trailer and if it was ever stolen thieves probably wouldn’t be able to find them all to remove them…also has a big sticker on the frame warning that it is security tagged. https://www.datatag.co.uk/trailers.php

We have a data tag with microdots, 2 locks, postcode on the roof Apple air tags hidden inside it are also a good idea.

Hi Bob - just come across this as looking to hide an AirTag in mine! Where did you put it? I can’t see where I’m going to hide it