Trailer tounge breakaway pin question

[Volffas]

Here's the dumbest thing I've ever asked on this forum. What goes on the bottom of this pin? I'm 95% sure it's just a cotter pin but I'm not 100% sure. I'm just moving the trailer around the parking lot today so I used this old trampoline spring, but I need to figure out what's supposed to be down there. When I parked the boat trailer a little over a month ago I took the big pin out but I can't find what was on the bottom of it, and I guess I never really paid attention!

 

[Rhino]

Same kind of pin that u use on your receiver hitch

 

[bronze_10]

This

 

[Volffas]

Thanks guys. That's what I thought but you know how sometimes you start second-guessing yourself and I knew this is important enough I don't want to be wrong.

 

[Speedling]

I changed mine to one of these:

I deal with hair pins on a lot of equipment so when my pin was getting loose i knew i prefered this style. Never had one fail on all my rattling constriction equipment.

 

[Mainah]

It is wise to make sure you use a good retention pin. I noticed on a long haul that my tounge fold pin was always working its way up and the only thing keeping it in was that retention pin.

 

[bronze_10]

I changed mine to one of these:
View attachment 66469
I deal with hair pins on a lot of equipment so when my pin was getting loose i knew i prefered this style. Never had one fail on all my rattling constriction equipment.

One upper !

 

[Speedling]

Dunno why my p

One upper !

Nah, u answered the question, i just found a way for him to spend money! You know, in true jetboaters tradition.

 

[itsdgm]

I've drilled that hole out and put a lock in there. That way I can swing the tongue away and relock the pin in place it'll prevent somebody from hooking up and driving off with the trailer. It's not going to keep a hard core criminal from stealing, but it will make it easier for him to steal the trailer parked next to mine in the lot

 

[Speedling]

I've drilled that hole out and put a lock in there. That way I can swing the tongue away and relock the pin in place it'll prevent somebody from hooking up and driving off with the trailer. It's not going to keep a hard core criminal from stealing, but it will make it easier for him to steal the trailer parked next to mine in the lot

One upper x2!
Why not pull the pin and put the lock through the bottom hole on just trailer side of tongue?

 

[itsdgm]

One upper x2!
Why not pull the pin and put the lock through the bottom hole on just trailer side of tongue?

Simple answer, I can't lose the pin if it's locked to the trailer.

My whole procedure is as follows: I swing the tongue, lock the pin in place, and secure the tongue with one of the safety cables wrapped around the frame and secured to a lock in the coupler.

 

[bronze_10]

I had a pad lock i used on my old mfi trailer. I would swing the tounge and put the pad lock through one of the holes so you could not straighten the tounge again.

 

[Gym]

One upper x2!
Why not pull the pin and put the lock through the bottom hole on just trailer side of tongue?

And if you forget to put the big pin back in you can make some real sharp turns with your trailer.

 

[Volffas]

I've drilled that hole out and put a lock in there. That way I can swing the tongue away and relock the pin in place it'll prevent somebody from hooking up and driving off with the trailer. It's not going to keep a hard core criminal from stealing, but it will make it easier for him to steal the trailer parked next to mine in the lot

I thought about something like that, but I figured all someone would need to steal the trailer would be a set of bolt cutters and an extra lock.

 

[itsdgm]

I thought about something like that, but I figured all someone would need to steal the trailer would be a set of bolt cutters and an extra lock.

Why would they need a lock?

But taking the pin with you means that anybody with a bolt can steal it.

If they want it. Nothing will stop them. If they're lazy, they'll steal the one right next to mine that they just have to hook up to and go.

 

[Matt Phillips]

Agreed...if they really want your trailer, nothing will stop them. I usually remove the pin and swing the tongue aside, then put a lock into the ball receptical. I'm of the belief that if the trailer next to mine is easier to steal...that's the one they'll take in the row...

 

[Volffas]

Why would they need a lock?

But taking the pin with you means that anybody with a bolt can steal it.

If they want it. Nothing will stop them. If they're lazy, they'll steal the one right next to mine that they just have to hook up to and go.

You're right. Anyone who wants it bad enough can figure out how to get it. Last year our boat was parked next to a 27' or so brand new Cobalt. I was pretty confident they would take that first!

 

[Matt Phillips]

Knowing my luck...they'd steal mine as they wouldn't know what a Cobalt is....

 

[Seadeals]

I found this one at a Tractor Supply store and like it much better.

 

[Ronnie]

There is a pin lock available that i used. Basically a shorter and thinner version on the lock that goes through the tongue latch on the trailer. I will try and post a pic of mine later today.

When im staying at a new location i fold the trailer tongue and lock it in (out of) place. A would be theif would have to break the lock to put the tongue back in place and still has to get through the tow ball and wheel locks to tow the boat away.