locking boat to trailer and trailer to car

[Zak]

Hi All,

I'm going on a fishing trip next week and will be bringing my rowing dory on a trailer behind my Forester. For one of the days, I'll be wading a river away from my car. I'm a little worried that some miscreant could just hook my trailer up to their tow hitch and take off with it. Or loosen the ratchet straps holding the boat to the trailer and take off with the boat.

What is the best way to secure the boat and trailer? I'm guessing drift boat folks would know (but my boat, unlike a drift boat, can pretty easily be picked up by one person).

Thanks!

 

[Paige]

receiver lock, hitch lock, cable lock aroumd trailer to bow eye.

 

[MELinOre]

receiver lock, hitch lock, cable lock aroumd trailer to bow eye.

What Paige wrote

 

[Long_Rod_Silvers]

I've got one of these @Zak , along with a lock on the receiver.

https://www.etrailer.com/Wheel-Chocks/Trimax-Locks/TMX75FR.html?feed=npn&gclid=CjwKCAjwyNSoBhA9EiwA5aYlb7lKwZMCcINxDBjFAv-Yy4EUOHwfIWEygz6AmfSuyb6pDoNeud6RBhoCZKcQAvD_BwE

 

[TicTokCroc]

Maybe a GPS tracking device just in case.

 

[Jake Watrous]

Maybe a GPS tracking device just in case.

Apple Air tags were highly recommended to me by the police department. Cheap, reliable, and hideable.

 

[SurfnFish]

and don't forget a lock for your trailor spare..take my word on that

 

[wanderingrichard]

This, for when the trailer and tow vehicle are separate:

Turnart Trailer Lock, Hitch Lock,... Amazon product ASIN B08X1FW46X
And this to keep the hitch locked to your car:

CURT 23504 Right-Angle Trailer... Amazon product ASIN B06VTJMBZZ

 

[Paige]

Those Turnart Trailer hitch locks are easily defeated in like 5 seconds, seen a ton of vids on those.

But all locks are for honest people!

 

[Zak]

and don't forget a lock for your trailor spare..take my word on that

Luckily, I don't have one of those. I'm sure I won't regret it...

 

[wanderingrichard]

Those Turnart Trailer hitch locks are easily defeated in like 5 seconds, seen a ton of vids on those.

But all locks are for honest people!

Haven't had an issue yet, but have been asked where I got it.
To OP; it doesn't have to be exactly that make and model. There are others on the market that are better. It's just what I was able to grab.

What I want to see, is how you keep the whole rig locked down together

 

[Zak]

I think I want a locking pin, a simple padlock on the lever that latches onto the ball, and a cable lock around a seat in the boat. There aren't really any good places to attach the cable lock to the boat.

Or, trust in the goodness of man. Thanks for the advice everyone!

 

[RCF]

Cables are easily cut.... They are for honest people as a visual deterent...

 

[Zak]

The locking pin and latch would ease my mind. I'm most worried about someone just popping my trailer onto their truck and driving off while I'm in the river. Loading up the boat would be more time consuming and less easy.

 

[RCF]

Have a visible camera recording everything might help... Motion activated with monitoring and phone notification could also help.

 

[Zak]

Have a visible camera recording everything might help... Motion activated with monitoring and phone notification could also help.

Yeah that's not going to happen! Maybe a vicious dog. Or maybe I'll do my old trick of leaving a twelve pack of Bud on the hood and they be satisfied with that.

 

[VAGABOND]

Vehicle, Boat, Trailer….

 

[Paige]

Yeah that's not going to happen! Maybe a vicious dog. Or maybe I'll do my old trick of leaving a twelve pack of Bud on the hood and they be satisfied with that.

Make sure it's Budd Light to ensure nobody os discriminated!

 

[SurfnFish]

let's face it, locks just keep the 'convienance' thiefs at bay. The pros, the ones equipped with 18V side grinders with metal cutting discs? If they want it, their getting it.