You can’t always stop a thief from attempting to steal your trailer, but you can make it difficult enough that they move on to an easier target. An unsecured or minimally secured trailer is an easy opportunity for theft. Below are several ways to protect your trailer and reduce the risk of theft:
1. Invest in a High-Quality Trailer Tongue Lock
Cheap locks can be easily bypassed, offering little to no security. Without a lock, a thief can simply back up, hook up, and drive off with your trailer.
2. Install a Coupler Lock or Remove Coupler
A coupler lock or removing the coupler all together prevents the coupler from being used, adding another layer of security. The more obstacles a thief faces, the longer it takes to steal the trailer, making it a less attractive target.
3. Use a Chock Lock
Chock locks prevent your trailer’s wheels from turning, making it extremely difficult to tow. For long-term storage, another option is to remove the tires completely.
4. Add an Alarm System
Battery-operated, wireless alarms that activate with vibration can deter thieves by sounding an alert when someone tampers with your trailer. While not as effective in remote locations, they can be useful in urban areas or hotel parking lots.
5. Mark Your Trailer Uniquely
Adding unique identifying marks can help police locate and identify your trailer if it’s stolen. Engraving or painting a distinctive feature can make it more recognizable. A distinctive marking on the roof of an enclosed trailer may assist in recovery of a stolen trailer.
6. Park Smartly
Position your trailer in a way that makes it difficult to move. While this may add time when you need to access it, it also makes it harder for thieves to steal it in a hurry. Avoid leaving it in an easily accessible location outside your compound.
7. Install a GPS Tracking Device
While a GPS tracker won’t prevent theft, it can alert you if your trailer is being moved and help law enforcement track its location before it’s stripped or sold.
8. Secure Valuable Items Inside a Bolted Job Box
If thieves can’t steal the entire trailer, they may try to break in and take whatever they can carry. Storing expensive tools or equipment in a heavy-duty, bolted-down job box makes it harder for them to quickly grab and go. Cutting into a secured box takes time, which discourages theft.
By taking these precautions, you significantly reduce the chances of trailer theft and make your equipment a less appealing target for criminals.
Download Trailers – Securing from Theft poster
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