Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks: hitch locks

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hitch locks

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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15042
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Topic: hitch locks

Posted By: AnnetteGary
Subject: hitch locks
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2021 at 7:05am

Hi fellow R-podders,

We are planning a big trip from Toronto, Canada down to Florida and across the southern states to California. We have reserved spots all along the route - mostly in state parks.

Someone recently mentioned the possibility of trailer theft - being polite Canadians we hadn't even considered it.

Do people think a small deterrent such as a Reese's hitch lock is necessary?

Thanks for any advice!

Annette and Gary

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Annettegary

Replies:

Posted By: 1nana2many
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2021 at 8:11am

Unfortunately, it is happening more often. We have been camping for decades and have had no issues, but it only takes once. https://vehq.com/travel-trailer-stolen/ - https://vehq.com/travel-trailer-stolen/ This is a link to an article on the subject with ideas for taking precautions. My sister-in-law had decided to put their popup camper up for sale in a nice neighborhood and they moved it to the front of their house and put a for sale sign on it. The very next day, while they were at work, the camper was stolen in broad daylight. Think of how simple it would really be for a person with a bolt cutter to cut off your padlock and hitch your camper up to their vehicle and drive away. No locks are fool proof. A dishonest person will take advantage of any opportunity you give them. I personally believe that the key is to make it as difficult as you can for your RV to be stolen whether on the road while camping or when it’s parked in your own back yard or a storage unit. For us this includes padlocking the hitch and then adding a lock to the chains after we wrap them around the A- frame. We always pull down the blinds when we leave our camper for a day trip. We never leave electronics in our camper. We have been in a state park camping when the park ranger came around to tell us that people were reporting that their coolers were being stolen. Our grandkids’ bicycles get a cable lock threaded through them at night so we don’t wake up to find them missing. My personal belief is “ out of site, out of mind” when it comes to theft. I know someone who left their gas fire pit out and it was stolen during the night. By far the majority of people are honest and just there to have a fun vacation, but it only takes one to ruin your fun vacation, so healthy precautions are a good thing.

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The mountains are calling and we must go...O.D., Keith & Jody
2016 RP179= O.D. (Olive Drab)
2008 Coachman Captiva
1993 Jayco 1206 popup
2016 F150 Supercrew

Posted By: AnnetteGary
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2021 at 9:28am

Thanks so much for all the info. This is very helpful.

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Annettegary

Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2021 at 11:42am

About 4 years ago after hearing about travel trailers being stolen we thought it prudent to purchase a hitch lock for our 177. Not cheap at $225 but the best out there IMHO. Proven Industries makes the lock, great website, check it out.

https://www.provenlocks.com

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God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."

Posted By: Colt
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2021 at 4:56pm

I close my hitch lock and insert a standard master lock and lock it, just in case. But, I don't know why.

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John
'16 R-Pod 180

Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 12 Nov 2021 at 12:14pm

Originally posted by jato

https://www.provenlocks.com

No lock is perfect, but the Proven Industries is pretty darn good. I haven't seen any better.

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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

Posted By: RoverPod
Date Posted: 12 Nov 2021 at 5:51pm

Originally posted by jato

https://www.provenlocks.com

This site has them at a slightly lower cost.

https://besttrailerlocks.com/products/model-2178

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2017 F150 XLT SuperCab
2020 rPod 180