trailer security - what do you use?

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mole

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i collect my trailer 2mrw
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and wondered what security items people use on their trailers.

mine has a locking hitch but ive been warned that if a smaller tow ball is used then it can still be towed!
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so i have a wheel clamp and a ball thing that you put into the hitch (if that makes sense!)

think thats enough?
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what do you use?
 
Post code the roof of the trailer with your home post code in very large letters which contrast in colour with the roof of your trailer.

Also etch the post code on any glass windows of the trailer.
 
In Co Fermanagh the police mark trailers with a unique code in bright yellow paint, which is then put into a database. They also stamp your postcode onto the trailer chassis and various other places. They also recommend writing your postcode in permanent marker in about 10 places, both visible and not so visible, all over the trailer.

The idea is that any would be thief sees the markings and realises that even if they nick it, the chances are they will miss one or two of them when they try to get them off, which means the trailer will always be indentifiable.

I also have graphics plastered all over mine.

Use hitch locks, wheel clamps, anything you like, it all helps to make the thief's job a bit more difficult. They like to be able to drive up, hitch on, and drive off.

If you are feeling very flush, you can get a tracking device fitted too
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A trailer of ours was stolen a number of years ago. It had a very substantial hitch lock and wheel clamps and the internal partition was kept in the back of a locked building. The thieves cut through the locks with bolt croppers as if they were so much cheese and rifled through all the buildings until they found the partition. They thoughtfully left us the mangled hitchlock, presumably so we could prove to our insurer that we had used it! Stencilling/stamping post code/surname all over it and especially on the roof is the best deterrent - make the one on the roof big enough so it can be read from a distance.
 
I'm sure many of you know this, sounds as though daisycrazy does, but I read in H&H this week that you should remove the partition from your trailer when not in use.
This is because Ifor Williams will not sell a new partition without the serial number of the trailer. Obviously, if it comes up as stolen, questions will be asked. I think this is quite a deterrent. Sounds as though the theives that stole daisycrazy's trailer were very determined though!
 
Not exactly a security device, but if you can, keep it under cover and out of public view.

When I kept mine (unused at the time) in Yorkshire OH took the wheels off, so the buggers stole the RS instead!
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[ QUOTE ]
I'm sure many of you know this, sounds as though daisycrazy does, but I read in H&H this week that you should remove the partition from your trailer when not in use.
This is because Ifor Williams will not sell a new partition without the serial number of the trailer. Obviously, if it comes up as stolen, questions will be asked. I think this is quite a deterrent.

[/ QUOTE ]

Problem is, let face it, thieves can easily enough source another partition via their devious means. Doubtful it would bother them TBH.

I've an Ifor Williams 505 to protect too, so know how worrying it is. Seems nothing at all will deter the seriously determined criminal. All we can do is ensure we meet the full requirements of our insurance policies, so that we are definitely covered in the event of a theft.

I'm insured with NFU but still feel anxious. Was told I merely needed to have the trailer wheel clamped to meet their policy requirements. I asked the NFU person which make or model wheel clamp they recommended I use. They said they could not recommend any particular one. Okay, fair enough but could they give me a particular spec the clamp needed to meet? No. Any wheel clamp would do. Oh, I said. So the cheap one from Argos would do, the one for £20 quid? Yes. As long as it's wheel clamp and is in place when the theft occurs you'll be covered for theft.

Now, I do not want to be rude but the Argos clamp we have fitted to the trailer wheel is a hopeless fit. I think even I could get it off without any tools
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So.... what's the point in even having it???

My OH won't buy another clamp as he believes they are a waste of time as thieves have their own trailers onto which a locked trailer can be attached and moved. Same goes for hitch locks. Theives can move trailers without using the trailers hitch.

I'm going to get the post code painted onto the roof, but if the trailer is stolen at night and stored under cover until the roof is cleaned of the numbers (and lets face it, there are products to remove graffiti out there which would work), even that seems poor protection
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Tracker maybe....?
 
Hi Spyda

Just to let you know I also asked the NFU rep about which wheel locks would be covered and got a very vague answer with them just saying that most were covered. However when I pushed them it turns out that they do have an approved list of wheel locks. Luckily the one I had was on it, however this was a decent one recommended by my trailer dealer.

It might be worth giving them another call just to make sure you are covered.

Tegan
 
THANK YOU! That bit of information might be invaluable to me.

FGS, I asked if the one I had would be okay and the NFU guy said, "Yes. If it's a wheel clamp sold in a shop (i.e. I assume he meant by that not one which was home made?) and was on the trailer at the time of the theft, it will be fine."

So, what if I'd had my trailer stolen... are NFU going to wiggle out of paying? I've been paying premiums to them for the past year and (BET) I haven't been covered. The b*st*rds.
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Shall phone them today.....
 
QR - if you fit a wheelclamp put it on a back wheel not a front one. If it's on a front one thiefs simply hitch it up on to the back wheels so the fronts are off the road and tow it away on it back wheels! If it's on the back, it's a heck of lot harder to tow away with the clamp still on.
 
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