Preventing camper theft

[MinnesotaJill]

Hi, I sold our camper and the lock last year. It's a bit putzy to get it on, and it is really heavy, but I think it is a very good lock and a definite deterrent especially if you leave your camper in a storage place. We used it every time we weren't camping, even when the camper was stored in our driveway. They are made in Canada and I spoke with the inventor/company owner a couple times before I bought it.

[V'sGlassSleeper]

Hi Jill,

Thanks so much for your response! I ordered one today. I figured it might be a bit heavy and cumbersome, as you mentioned, but with all the time, money and hard work invested in renovating my camper, I wanted a decent deterrent.

I did reach someone at the company, Luiza, and she was great! She had me measure at various points around my tire to make sure the lock would fit, and confirmed my tire size to ensure that they sent me the right size wheel lock for my 15" tires. They included the shipping in the cost, so all told, it was $270. Since I have a tandem axle trailer, it will go on the back driver's side wheel.

Product Info on The Heavy Duty Wheel Lock | Brahma Wheel Lock


Canada make some of the highest-quality everything (campers. locks, equipment, people).

[ststefan]

I always remove the safety chains. Even with a lock on the hitch they can drag with the safety chains.

[Steve Carlson]

Most any lock can be defeated in less than a minute with an angle grinder. There are some more expensive locks (>$250) that will resist longer but if the thief has time they will get those off too.

And, as above, they don't necessarily need to get the lock off anyway.

[Fred762]

We use [at a campground], this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KnKRdLJiPM

Bright yellow and shows from a long way away.

and a heavy-duty Master lock thru the hasp hole, plus we lock the chains together..three locks the thief hasta bust thru IMHO they'll look elsewhere.

At home out in the semi-rural central TN area we live in, we have a 100 yd long driveway [down and then back UP a steep hill] and we have a pistol range in the side yard..not many folks are gonna steal a travel trailer from a guy known to be a regular shooter.

[Borrego Dave]

Originally Posted by Fred762

At home out in the semi-rural central TN area we live in, we have a 100 yd long driveway [down and then back UP a steep hill] and we have a pistol range in the side yard..not many folks are gonna steal a travel trailer from a guy known to be a regular shooter.

I can see the yardage range signs along the driveway now, " Ranges set for Casita thieves" .

[k corbin]

My trailer is so light that none of the wheel or tongue locks would keep it safe. Someone could just back up to it with a flat bed trailer and drag it up a ramp with a winch.

[V'sGlassSleeper]

Well, as with many things, someone really intent on stealing something will find a way, but - like locking one's car doors - a good deterrent will prevent crimes of opportunity. What deterrents one chooses is a matter of personal preference and comfort level. For me, it's: A wheel lock and a glock

[trainman]

I'm not too big on locking the trailer up with too many locks, one on the tongue is the only one I use and not when camping. Insurance is my protection and if it stolen we will just get another one, probably an Oliver per my wife. We all know that locks are just for honest people and criminals have the tools to bypass any lock. All our vehicles have remote locks and push button start, I'm trying to do away with keys as I only carry one key with me on a daily basics.

trainman

[Carl V]

Originally Posted by V'sGlassSleeper

Canada make some of the highest-quality everything (campers. locks, equipment, people).

I won't argue with this (although I could about some people ) but the lock you're referring to is probably from this company:
https://www.amplock.com

Designed by a machine shop owner / metallurgist who had his FW trailer stolen and swore it won't happen again. The locking mechanism itself comes from Abloy, a world leader in high-security padlocks (and has a very strange key!).

I have their TLS2 coupler lock. Most contractors around here use Amplocks on their equipment and tools trailers, as many insurance companies requires them.

As with any lock, it could probably (or certainly) be drilled or cut off, but not without spending a lot of time and making a lot of noise.

Then I always keep my power cord attached, a window or two open, stabilizers down, etc, anything than can slow down a thief or make him change his mind and steal my neighbor's trailer instead or mine!

The Amplock is a bit expensive (the small one for 1 7/8 couplers is quite affordable) but for me it was worth it, I would hate to see my Trillium gone, as it is a pretty unique trailer.

[Steve Carlson]

Originally Posted by Carl V

The Amplock is a bit expensive (the small one for 1 7/8 couplers is quite affordable) but for me it was worth it, I would hate to see my Trillium gone, as it is a pretty unique trailer.

I can't find a reference to a 1-7/8" coupler lock on their website, must not make it any more. Too bad, that is the size my Lite House uses.

[Carl V]

Originally Posted by Steve Carlson

I can't find a reference to a 1-7/8" coupler lock on their website, must not make it any more. Too bad, that is the size my Lite House uses.

Yes, can't find it either. My local distributor has them, not sure if they stopped making it or it simply doesn't show on their website. Model number is TLS178. I bought one about 3 months ago for a Trillium 1300.

Amazon Canada has it:
https://www.amazon.ca/AMPLOCK-TLS1-t.../dp/B015FXEC5A