Most Reliable Trailer Hitch

[Trailer Locks]

After wasting 3 hours pounding, heating and spraying wd 40 on my tailer hitch lock I finally got it off and put it in the trash. It was one of those kind with the lock on the very end on the pin and you insert the key inside it and turn. I simply dont trust this style after this, I thought I was going to have to torch it off and I kept it lubed on a regular basis as well. So what is a "reliable" model that will work in all seasons including cold weather? Thanks

[yarcraft91]

I've used Master padlocks, also Do-It brand brass padlocks for locking the the ball latch lever (if that's what it's called). For the drawbar, I use the Fulton-brand pin and lock. Never a problem.

[Pokey Fisherman]

The main thing with any lock is to keep it lubed with wd-40 or similar, any lock will seize during winter with road salt.

[Darren MT]

Whatever you use, the locking pins are a good idea. If you don't use them, make sure you check to see that someone hasn't removed the pin holding the ball mount before you take off down the road. In my area we had a rash of incidents a few years ago where someone was removing the pins on horse trailers during hunting season at various trail heads, resulting in trailers dropping loose. Sometimes you can travel a ways before it slide loose....possible when you get going down the highway.

Another thing the think about, is to check the nut securing the trailer ball. I learned this after a trip to the Columbia River last week. After driving about 40 miles from the boat launch back to Umatilla where we were staying, we found the nut had been loosened....almost completely unscrewed. VERY LUCKY NOT TO LOSE THE BOAT AND TRAILER. We speculate that someone loosened it up at the boat launch area sometime during the day when we were out fishing. I had hooked the trailer up that morning and am sure it was not loose before we left. From my experience, once you get these nuts tight they don't work loose on their own. To further our suspicions, the bathroom at the boat launch had been vandalized. It could have been punks just causing trouble or, especially in that area, some environmental extremists who didn't like the idea of someone out on the river with a motor boat. Who knows. Thankfully we noticed it before driving over 600 miles back home the next morning.

In any case, it pays to check things like this over before you take off down the road. I always check the ball mount pin (which I will get a locking pin for now) before I towed, but I never routinely checked the ball nut every time....until now. Lessons learned, I guess.

[Box]

We have been using the combination lock pins for years. I lube it a couple times a year, WD40 or or similar stuff, and I think mine is going on at least 11 years. Works great. I leave it in all year long. Also don't forget to pull the insert now and then and lube it up, I have see inserts rusted in for good... Not fun.

-Box

[IdahoGuy]

Take a look at these. I just bought the adjustable one. Slick, nothing to loose or cut off if someone tries to steal it or your trailer.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350031064212&ssPageName=MERC_VIC_ReBay_Pr4_PcY_BIN_Stores_IT&refitem=270216644916&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&usedrule1=CategoryProximity&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget&_trksid=p284.m183&_trkparms=its%3DS%252BI%252BSS

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250125921490&ssPageName=MERC_VIC_ReBay_Pr4_PcY_BIN_Stores_IT&refitem=270216644916&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&usedrule1=CategoryProximity&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget&_trksid=p284.m183&_trkparms=its%3DS%252BI%252BSS

[Hot Runr Guy]

>Whatever you use, the locking pins are a good idea. If you
>don't use them, make sure you check to see that someone hasn't
>removed the pin holding the ball mount before you take off
>down the road. In my area we had a rash of incidents a few
>years ago where someone was removing the pins on horse
>trailers during hunting season at various trail heads,
>resulting in trailers dropping loose. Sometimes you can travel
>a ways before it slide loose....possible when you get going
>down the highway.
>

Years ago, I stopped using the "pull pin", just to slow down the casual punk. Being around tooling and such, I use a 5/8 (or 1/2") SHCS (socket head cap screw), which are grade 8 rated, and a nylok locking nut. This way, they need at least 2 wrenchs or pliers to remove the bolt. Also, it allows me to put a little tension on the nut, which really helps minimize the rattles.
HRG

[l]

How about a lock cover to protect the lube during extended storage? Maybe a piece of car tire inner tube slide over the entire coupler/tongue? Flip the chains over it to keep it in place?

WD 40 might be kinda light for that application.

Just a couple of thoughts.

Regards

[Planocat]

Box hit the nail on the head. Trimax combination lock pins have a protective cover and have been serving me well for 20 years. No keys and YOU set your own combination.

[barndaley]

I've used Master padlocks, also Do-It brand brass padlocks for locking the the ball latch lever (if that's what it's called). For the drawbar, I use the Fulton-brand pin and lock. Never a problem.

yes i use master lock (http://www.stylintrucks.com/sn.aspx?attribute_value_string|Brand=Master+Lock) as well. and it works just fine. thankfully i've never had a problem with it. and i hope i never will. :)

[seeds]

I had one that I believe was the onlyone Gander Mt. sells. It was on from May thru September when I wanted to switch to a smaller ball/ball for another trailer. it was frozen.


It didn't take 3 hours heating,spraying,sweating and swearing to remove it. There was a tiny little pin holding in the locking mechanism:I used a small punch but a small nail would'a worked just as well. It took longer to walk inside,down in my basement workshop,and back out,than it did to remove the lock,then the pin.

I was kind'a disgusted.

I like the "bolt/locknut" idea but I always carry tools with me. I'd guess any serious thief worth his police record would also carry tools.

I knew a guy who'd welded the bar and welded the ball nut. I suppose - since I'm kind'a looking for a new utility trailer,I should just match hitches and do the same. Right now it'd be a real PITA.

[Suzuki]

I use the same kind of lock. I lube it every time I take it off. Never had a problem.

[peter8]

My 1st chrome reciever didn't last a week. Some a$$ stole it while I was parked at a shopping ctr. Since then I use a lock. Leaving it in May through November. Removeing it for the winter. Putting it in for the few times I trailer in the winter to avoid corosion isn't a problem. Been doing it for over 10 yrs. The pin lock came from Anderson machining. It uses the round style key and works ok . Also has a dust cover for the key hole but doesn't look like the cover will last long term.

[ameoba]

I don't use a locking pin in the hitch/receiver. Just the one with the cotter pin that keeps the solid metal part from sliding out.

The only time the trailer is hooked up to my ride is on the way to/from the lake and while parked at the lake.

If someone wants my trailer THAT bad that they would take the time and effort to unhook it from my truck, push it back and hook it up to theirs, have at it. It may seem cavalier, but there just isn't a big market for trailers. Of all of the people I fish with or have fished with, I don't know anyone who actually uses a locking pin.

The other thing I do is pull the ball/hitch out of the receiver when I'm not using it. Then the ball, pins, etc don't get all rusty and dirty. AND, there is nothing there for someone to steal (Really - people steal receivers? C'mon....)

Just my .02.

Good luck!

[perchjerker]

I don't use a locking pin in the hitch/receiver. Just the one with the cotter pin that keeps the solid metal part from sliding out.

The only time the trailer is hooked up to my ride is on the way to/from the lake and while parked at the lake.

If someone wants my trailer THAT bad that they would take the time and effort to unhook it from my truck, push it back and hook it up to theirs, have at it. It may seem cavalier, but there just isn't a big market for trailers. Of all of the people I fish with or have fished with, I don't know anyone who actually uses a locking pin.

The other thing I do is pull the ball/hitch out of the receiver when I'm not using it. Then the ball, pins, etc don't get all rusty and dirty. AND, there is nothing there for someone to steal (Really - people steal receivers? C'mon....)

Just my .02.

Good luck!

well you can say that but I know someone right here on this site that his Ranger trailer swiped while he was out fishing.

It caused him a lot of grief, as he could not take his boat out and had to scramble to find a marina to keep it at let alone get a replacement trailer

so it can happen...

[REW]

1. I never leave the tow bar in the receiver hitch.
I carry a box in the back and keep the tow bar in the box, any time that the tow vehicle is not hooked to a trailer. It take about 5 seconds to remove the tow bar, and lots of shins get skinned and folks trip over extending tow bard.

2. I only use a simple locking pin for my trailers. As the others have suggested, the only time that I have the trailer hooked to anything is to and from the lake.
Perhaps someone will steal the trailer some day. If so, I will deal with it then.

Once a month, I will spray a coating of oil inside the reciever as well as wipe oil on the tow bar. No fun to have a stuck hitch.

I always use a 450 ft lb impact wrench to put my balls into the tow bar.
I also am sure that I use anti sieze compound on the balls threads. I also am sure to use a lock washer on the hitch ball shaft.

Take care
REW

[peter8]

Ameoba, I was a Boy Scout and My Pop was a Troop leader. Trust me people....... no I guess you're right A$$ holes do steal recievers !