Vacation and Boat/Trailer Security

[HangOutdoors]

We will be heading out to on vacation for 5 days next week for the Holiday near Lake Michigan. We will be staying in a condo complex which has public parking. We planned the trip before we even had the thought of buying the boat. Anyhow, I will need to drop the boat in the parking lot or in the overflow parking that I called them and they said they have. I know that nothing is 100% safe and I have great insurance which covers me for everything up over and above what it would cost me to get a new boat and replace the gear and mods.

I plan on taking out the Pin from the trailer tongue so it swivels back, I have locking pin in the actual part that the ball goes in. I will remove the handle crank from the XO Jack stand I put on.

I was also thinking about getting a couple of those wheel boots that lock on so that that the trailer can't be moved without cutting them off. I read a bunch of reviews and can't figure out which ones to buy. I am looking for anyone who has used them and what brand/model they would recommend?

Also any other suggestions would be welcomed. Figure I need to get stuff ordered asap to make it. I procrastinated too long. Just want to make it look as unattractive as possible, understanding that nothing is 100% safe.

 

[dyfanf]

Never used a boot, but I did use a long U lock (for bicycles) through the trailer wheel and around the leaf spring. It was effective.
Also the ball lock that goes into the trailer tongue works well. Any lock can be picked, it's about slowing the criminals down enough to make the risk not worth the reward.

 

[props2you]

Don't forget a cable lock for your spare, sounds like you got everything else covered! I typically cover with the shipping cover when traveling and use the tongue lock with a cable lock for the spare. Biggest thing is make sure your boat is too much work to get in and take all your gear out of. ? Park under a light if you can and take lots of melatonin to help you sleep!

Try to make it as much of a PITA for them to not even bother and find an easier target!

 

[gallobg]

This is the ball lock that I use when the boat is in my driveway. For the price, it has been a good lock. It's also available for fast shipping on Amazon.

I did a bunch of research on these ball locks and basically came away with the understanding that you either spend $50 (with good boat insurance) or over $250 for an AMPLock. As others have said its about slowing down criminals. The mix of precautions you mention above is going to help in this regard.

Fastway Fortress 86-00-5015 Maximum Security Universal Coupler Lock for 1 7/8 Inch...
Amazon.com: Fastway Fortress 86-00-5015 Maximum Security Universal Coupler Lock for 1 7/8 Inch, 2 Inch and 2 5/16 Inch Couplers: Automotive

I also sometimes use a pin lock like this one, just know it's more about looks than anything. Anyone moderately determined will snap it off very quickly.

Amazon.com: Master Lock Trailer Lock, Stainless Steel Adjustable Coupler Latch Lock, 2847DAT: Automotive

Buy Master Lock Trailer Lock, Stainless Steel Adjustable Coupler Latch Lock, 2847DAT: Hitch Locks - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[Theryan]

You can also get a heavy chain and a heavy-duty lock, and fold the tongue on your trailer back, and wrap the chain around it tightly and lock it so that the tongue can't be moved at all and towed without any significant work.

 

[PEARCE]

Anytime that I leave my trailer unhitched from the truck I have two locks on my trailer. I have one that goes into the coupler and the other on the latch that I use to lock it to the truck. I also pull the pin on the swingarm of the trailer. Like the others have already said I cover the boat and try to park under or close to a street light.

 

[Matt Phillips]

You can also buy a lock to put into the trailer receiver...the one I have is bright yellow. Although those who know how to can easily remove these things, it's a matter of making your trailer a harder target than the one next to it.

Removing the pin is a good one as well as the tongue off at an angle looks broken to the casual observer. Again anyone with any trailer knowledge knows those tongue pins are pretty standard but another way to slow them down is to buy a sturdy padlock. Then once you remove the pin and swing the tongue away, lock said padlock into one of the holes where the pin slid through. Again, this is an exercise in making your trailer more difficult to "borrow" than the other one next to it.

 

[Jason spanick]

I always fold the tongue back wrap my safety chains around the frame and tongue and lock it. I also use a bike lock for my spare tire and another around my axel and wheel. Both my bike locks are bright orange. It’s nice to have that extra security. I even lock my trailer to my truck with a master lock when I leave my truck/trailer in boat launch parking area. Truthfully if someone wants it bad enough they are going to take it no matter how many locks or chains you add. The way I do it might be over kill but I’m not going to make it easy for them.

 

[HangOutdoors]

TBH, if it gets stolen I will be a bit sad, but what worries me is that I will not be able to get a replacement till most likely next year at probably a higher cost. I have ordered wheel lock, ball lock, heavy duty chain, chain lock for spare tire and a latch lock. I will be towing and leaving it overnight with my mooring cover on. I will park in front of it at night, but if there is a non boating day that we go it will be in the hands of the boat gods if it remains safe.

Thanks for the info, I truly appreciate it.

 

[Matt Phillips]

And truth be told, our trailers generally aren’t the fanciest at the launch...so thieves are likely looking at other opportunities

 

[Elliott]

The above Fastway Fortress is a good lock for a good price. If you are especially concerned, buy a Kryptonite High Security Chain Lock (New York level) to lock through the wheels on your trailer; you have now done enough to deter most any thief. If it is a true pro thief, they will be looking for more expensive stuff to steal.

 

[Matt Phillips]

I try to stop a thief when it comes to the trailer. But if it's stolen, it is insured. But there is the hassle factor of what to do with the boat while getting a new trailer, and the time that will be sucked out of my life that will never be returned.

 

[HangOutdoors]

It is the boat on the trailer over night and while we are not boating that is the concern.

I have Boat US and they say they will loan you a trailer or help you find one temporarily, if possible. Also I am sure a member here whom has the same trailer that is not using it that lives in the area would help out if they can. I know I would if situation was reversed. At least to get me to a close Marina around where I live so I can temporarily rent a slip or mooring till new trailer arrives.

 

[foozed]

I just bought a Vosker v100 mobile video/motion detector to keep on the boat while it’s stored at the marina.
It’s essentially a cellular trail cam with about a 30 day battery life with a few “security related” aspects.
I want to make sure nobody’s uncovering it or taking a joy ride when it’s not in use and it will alert me when it detects motion and send a picture.

 

[HangOutdoors]

Yes I have two high end trail cam's that are battery operated but only write to the card.

I am afraid they will steal that instead of the boat or both. those aren't insured.

I was thinking maybe a battery powered GPS tracker. Never looked into one not sure if they work. Something I could just throw in the boat and turn on and off via bluetooth on my phone for the night.

 

[mark_m]

It is the boat on the trailer over night and while we are not boating that is the concern.

I have Boat US and they say they will loan you a trailer or help you find one temporarily, if possible. Also I am sure a member here whom has the same trailer that is not using it that lives in the area would help out if they can. I know I would if situation was reversed. At least to get me to a close Marina around where I live so I can temporarily rent a slip or mooring till new trailer arrives.

I had qualms about this topic bringing my boat back from Maryland and breaking up the trip back home to Ohio. If you have the trailer on the tow vehicle thing about seeking out an incline that loads the boat on the tow vehicle hitch. This makes it very problematic to disconnect it from the ball (e.g. jack it up and it rolls downhill or it rolls into the tow vehicle)

Lower tech, but effective and cheap.

 

[foozed]

Tile!

 

[HangOutdoors]

Good thought, I will definately do that while it is on the vehicle. Leaving it in the parking lot while the family and I go do something else is what started my concern and OCD.

 

[anmut]

Put a vinyl wrap on it that makes it looks like a rust bucket, spray paint some plastic dinner plates silver to put over the wheels. Nobody will give it a second glance.

 

[HangOutdoors]

Has anyone used or know about this? Or something similiar?

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