Unfortunately, trailer theft has become a far-too-common occurrence. Thieves know that within these boxes rolling up and down the road contain items that they can easily resell to turn into cash. Fortunately, you can take measures to prevent them from stealing your hard-earned equipment by using visual deterrents.
“Thieves are lazy,” said Lyle Clark, of Trailer Alarms, LLC. “If they see two trailers side-by-side, they’re going to go with the one that’s easier to steal.”
Clark suggested five easy ways to make your trailer less attractive to thieves.
1. Wheel Boot Lock
A wheel boot lock immobilizes a vehicle. Many law enforcement agencies use these, particularly on the vehicles of those with unpaid parking tickets. However, you can apply wheel boot locks to your trailer, too. Thieves don’t like to struggle with getting these boots off. Clark advises to use a wheel boot lock that covers the lug nuts, such as this one, so thieves can’t simply unbolt a wheel and drive away with your trailer.
2. A Blinking Light, with an Actual Alarm
When a thief sees a blinking light, they’ll second-guess stealing a trailer. While many of us hear alarms go off all the time, a ne’er-do-well does not want to draw attention to their illicit activities. Smarter thieves, though, may recognize that it’s a simple blinking light. Install a real alarm to back up your threat. Nothing makes a thief run than the sound of a 120 dB alarm blaring, such as this one. Plus, many alarms have other theft-deterrent features that’ll make the most skilled and determined thieves choose another trailer for their target.
3. A Lock with a Hasp Covering
If you’re using a cheap padlock to secure your trailer, you’re leaving yourself open to theft. With a simple pair of bolt cutters, a thief can make one cut to the hasp and they’re in your trailer. Instead, opt for a lock that covers the weakest part, the hasp, or use a lock without one, such as this example.
4. No RV-Style Locks
An RV-style lock makes it easy for thieves to enter your trailer.
“With a screwdriver, a thief can be in your trailer within 30 seconds,” Clark said. “All they have to do is jam the screwdriver in the key and open the trailer.”
Instead, use a trailer door latch, such as this one, which provides far more protection.
“Put the longer half on the trailer part, and the shorter part on the door,” said Clark. “It makes it so it takes more effort to break in.”
5. Don’t Have a Trailer that Looks Like Everyone Else’s
A trailer that looks just like all the others makes it a prime target for thieves. After all, when the trailer gets stolen, how will it stand out for those looking for the stolen property? Instead, Clark advises making your trailer look different from the rest, in a way that cannot be easily changed.
“If you have a basic white trailer, install a set of wheels that stand out, either in style and/or color,” Clark said. “Paint the trailer’s tongue a unique color, like bright yellow. Little things like that help.”
While you have the paint out, climb on the roof and add some sort of identification on top of the trailer, such as a phone number. That way, if there’s an aerial search, they can find your trailer quicker, and a thief may miss repainting the roof.
Ultimately, these aforementioned measures prevent trailer theft by making it more difficult for the thief, encouraging them to try another, much easier target.
Source
Trailer Alarms, LLC
New Braunfels, Texas
877-604-7381
trailer-alarms.com
Outside Groove Note of Transparency: Trailer Alarms, LLC, paid for the production of this article. The content was subject to approval of Trailer Alarms, LLC.
The Outside Groove Executive Editor has covered motorsports since 2000. His many awards include the 2019 Eastern Motorsport Press Association (EMPA) Jim Hunter Writer of the Year and the 2013 Russ Catlin Award for Excellence in Motorsports Journalism.
