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Whether you’re boondocking in a remote location, camping at a campground or even storing your RV at your home or another location, being away from your rig can cause a lot of unwanted anxiety. In this article we’ll look at some ways to ease this type of anxiety and I’ll review some tools and methods for securing your RV while you’re away from it.
Consider a hitch lock
One of the easiest ways to secure you trailer is with a hitch lock. This model shown here is made of 3/8” plate steel and is suitable for use with a 1-7/8” ball, a 2” ball and a 2-5/16” ball. It also can be used for securing a ring hitch but those aren’t found on campers.
- (DOES NOT FIT AIRSTREAM TRAILERS) UNIVERSAL FIT TRAILER LOCKS: Universal for any size ball: 1-7/8",...
- HIGH QUALITY: Built with 3/8″ plate steel and a 1″ solid steel shaft. Electroplated and powder...
- KEEP YOUR BELONGINGS SECURE: Ensure maximum security for your trailers. Fits most enclosed, flatbed,...
Last update on 2023-02-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Typically, a ring hitch is found on farm machinery such as a hay wagon or they are used for industrial applications such as a large towable generator used at construction sites.
Similar to the first model in this article, this coupling lock is made by Master Lock and is less expensive and just as durable and of high quality. It too is suitable for use with a 1-7/8” ball, a 2” ball and a 2-5/16” ball.
Last update on 2023-02-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Try a coupler pin lock
An alternative to the first coupler lock in this article is to use a less expensive coupler pin lock. The disadvantage to using a locking device such as this one is that the ¼” pin could be removed by a thief with a handheld grinding tool. However, one advantage to this pin lock is that while driving down the road it can be used to secure your trailer hitch to the ball without the possibility of your trailer popping off the ball on the towing vehicle. When not towing, it can prevent someone from backing their vehicle under your hitch and securing your rig to their tow vehicle.
- DEPENDABLE SECURITY. To help protect your trailer from theft, this trailer lock is made from...
- EASY TO OPERATE. This padlock-style trailer tongue lock has a heavy-duty look to deter theft, and...
- VERSATILE. With a 1/4-inch diameter pin, this trailer coupler lock fits latch-type couplers with a...
Last update on 2023-02-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What if I own a fifth wheel trailer?
Personally, I have never met anyone that have had their fifth wheel stolen, as most of the people that I have met during my travels that had a trailer stolen were people with smaller rigs, or boat and utility trailers that were taken while they weren’t around. However, they do make anti-theft devices for 5th wheel trailers such as the one shown here.
- great product
- Installs in seconds
- Includes 2 Rugged Keys
Last update on 2023-02-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This particular model takes less than a minute to install and it prevents would-be thieves from simply lowering your rig onto their truck and driving away with it. It markets for around $30, is made of heavy-duty steel and without the proper key would be a time-consuming endeavor to remove. In my opinion, it’s well worth the cost and would provide you peace of mind when your away from your fifth wheel.
Try a wheel locking device
Remarkably similar to the type of tire boots that city parking authorities use for securing vehicles with overdue parking citations, this wheel locking device prevent others from stealing your trailer, vehicle and even motorhomes.
- Made of heavy-duty steel and covered by rust-resistant coating, this clamp lock is quite durable,...
- With Disc Covers Lug Nuts-Heavy gauge steel disk covers lug nuts to prevent tire removal, and...
- Wheel Clamp Locks are easy to fit or remove, resists cutting and sawing and stops the vehicle wheel...
Last update on 2023-02-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
While not impenetrable, it would take some time to remove this device from your rig. Another good feature of this device is that it is equipped with a removeable hub cone that prevents thieves from stealing only your wheel and not the entire RV.
Another option for a wheel lock is to use this less expensive model. It will securely wrap around your wheel and prevent people from stealing your rig in a timely fashion, but it won’t prevent people from jacking up your rig and simply removing the tire. Keep this in mind if you have a spare trailer tire mounted on the rear of your trailer, so it’s best that if you do have a spare that can be readily removed that it’s in your best interest to have one of these devices installed on both sides of your camper.
- ◆ HIGHLY VISIBLE - The VaygWay Wheel Lock is Highly Visible because of its Bright and Striking red...
- ◆ SECURITY - The VaygWay Wheel Lock securely wraps around your wheel and prevents theft attempts,...
- ◆ 2 KEYS - The VaygWay Wheel Lock includes 2 keys for your convenience. If you misplace, loose, or...
Last update on 2023-02-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Visit our guide on Best 5th Wheel to Gooseneck Adapters for more information!
Are there any other options for securing my RV?
There are always other options but some of them may be more unconventional than the ones I have recommended in this article. It really depends upon how creative you want to be when securing your RV. For example, I once saw a gentleman with a vintage Shasta camper from the late 1960’s that had secured his rig to a nearby fully grown pine tree with a logging chain and a heavy-duty padlock. His approach was certainly effective; however, I would be worried that some thief who wasn’t paying attention would hook up to my rig and try to pull it away quickly and while the chain would prevent the theft of the camper, it would likely result in serious damage to the axle causing it to be out of alignment. In retrospect, it seemed to me that if you were to take this approach, that it would be in your best interest to chain your rig up in this manner by using the tongue instead of an axle. It would also show the would-be thief straightaway that the camper is secured, and they should move on.
Another thing I have seen several RVers do to secure their rig in remote areas while they are away from it with the tow vehicle is to remove a tire and take it with them in the tow vehicle or secure it within your camper. Bicyclists have been doing this for decades as you can’t get far with a one-wheeled bicycle. The same is true with a camper trailer. Of course, the drawback is that it’s unsightly and it’s a pain in the neck to change out your RV tires just because you want to go for a day hike or to the nearest market for supplies.
Final thoughts
Always remember that most crime is committed because it’s convenient to do so. In other words, don’t make it convenient to have a crime committed against you while you’re camping. Keep your toys such as bicycles and outdoor gear like furniture, grills and fishing, hunting or camping gear stowed away when not in use.
I’m a good fisherman. In fact, my granddad taught me to be that way over 50 years ago. Probably the most important lesson he taught me was to use the right bait. In short, don’t leave a lot of bait for thieves to take advantage of you while you’re away from your home.
Once again, my friends, thank you for following along and as always, I hope to see you out on the road someday.
