I've use the locks on the tongue for security. In another thread someone mentioned locking the tires and or wheels. I've thought about a chain or two, but those are easily cut..What else do you use???

I just keep my insurance policy up to date.

Nothing else.

If they cut the chain through a wheel, pop the tongue lock and the hitch pin lock, they get it and I call the insurance company. I'll discouragit, but if they go through that much, they were taking it no matter I do.

I've used one of these on our previous boat:
Wheel Lock

This one requires you to use a bracket on on of the lug nuts. This never posed a problem. There are several designs on the market that may not have the bracket. Having lived in a city, it felt a bit comical to be putting a "boot" on my own boat.

These devices are probably defeatable but are more secure than a heavy chain which can be cut.

+1 - Though all I use is the tongue lock. Locks keep honest people honest, if someone wants something bad enough they will take it. Locks and all.

True, but a decent anti-theft measure will often result in the thieves moving on down the line to easier prey. Towards that end, to me the boot devices are the way to go.

I use a cable type bike lock run thru the wheel and over the fender. It is a pretty tough cable, can just barely get it all uncoiled and routed and locked. I like to put it out over the fender so it can be seen (and so I have less chance of forgetting about it!).

Jim R - Exactly my point.
But if they want your boat, truck or get in your house, there are always ways of getting around the devices.
Of course I always think its funny when someone does something like steal the brand new Caddy from the dealership, set the dealership on fire to cover, but then wonder how the cops have a road block set up for them within 2 hours! That happened here and it was a dumb crook moment. Costly though.

I like troop's simple solution.

A few years back I put a bike cable through the "spokes" of the wheel and locked it up. One time, I completely forgot to take it off. Got down the driveway (it is 100'long as the garage is a rear detached garage) and it locked up. I spent the first ½ hour of "boating time" getting the cable out of the wheel bearing by tugging and pulling with channel locks. Busted the seal. Never fixed it until this year. I was supprised that the bearing was still functional after looking at all the missing needles.

Now I just keep it in an alarmed, covered storage that is two miles from my house and two miles from my work and on the way to work. I drive buy it every single day. I should stop in for a quick nooner... Oh and I have!

I'd be more worried about my prop than my wheels. 5 bolts for $140 or 1 bolt for $400.
That said, I do use a snake chain through the wheels if we go away for extended periods. Just to make sure no one drives the trailer away.

Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit - 5' Chain and Lock

Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit - 3'3" Chain and Lock




I had my trailer towed from storage by mistake, originally thought it was stolen, I got this soon after. I only got one, so its more to keep the trailer there than just the wheel...or a least make it enough of a hassle to get a phone call from HOA storage *****. Regular chain is very easily and quickly cut with cheap hardware bolt cutters, this stuff is definitely different. I also have a tongue lock now...but my tongue mechanism is just bolted on.

I think hardened chain might be a bit tougher.

But as I think I commented earlier, if they are bent of stealing the trailer, you are not going to stop them. But some form of securing the trailer makes a thief take 5 minutes to steal it rather than 15 seconds.

That 5 minuites is the difference between the amatures moving on to easier prey and the pros deciding wether they want to tackle the hassle, and moving on to easier prey.

For my TRL trip this July I'm looking at the wheel lock / boot type devices that are available for ~ $60. I don't want to park my boat or even just the trailer in a hotel parking lot just to have is swiped by some low-life. I'm also looking into a good prop lock for my duos. That'd set me back some $'s if those were swiped.

Found a different product for the trailer tongue; Steal Shield. Anyone know about these? It looks to be a decent product.

I don't know that one, but it looks impressive...almost looks like a challenge.

Here is an older thread w/ some various options for some ideas. There are some pics of my Master Lock coupler lock which was a little under $25.

http://boatingabc.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/303846/1.html

1) Trimax stainless drawbar locking pin
2) Trimax stainless locking coupler pin (matched cylinders)
3) McGard wheel locks (including the spare)
4) McGard DuoProp prop lock
5) McGard DuoProp drive lock
6) Paid-up insurance

Bowline, if you're slipping at Port of Kimberling you can arrange to leave your trailer in their gated area - if you make arrangements with them ahead of time and assuming it's not under water :-/ . Otherwise they have an ungated field they'll send you to, which is patrolled closely. In 3 years in that field I've yet to hear of any problems.

Mike - I'll be at the Stillwater Resort on the southside of the Kimberling Bridge. I'm looking into the products that you listed. I like the Trimax Wheel Lock (looks like "The Boot"), but they haven't priced it on their site yet. It looks like that product would take care of pretty much all of my trailer lock needs.

Make sure the spare on the tow vehicle and the trailer are secure, that is what gets the most attention in hotel parking lots.

Really? Wouldn't have thought of that! Thanks for the tip. Looks like I'll need a tlre/wheel lock for that too. Although, my spare isn't a Marathon!

Had 2 stolen from my father's boat in a hotel parking lot. Someone stole my trailer license plate last year in a hotel parking lot.

Bowline, if the water doesn't drop, you'll need to decide which side of 13 you're going to boat on, because I just heard that you can't even pass under the bridge right now. Amazing.

Wow - thought that you could pass under the bridge on the north side, albeit barely. The resort I'll be at has their ramp and dock on the end of the lake that is not on the Joe Bald side. Hopefully it won't be an issue at the end of June. In any case that still leaves a heck of a lot of lake to boat on.

Could be - I was just reporting what I was told by a friend of my daughter - who's family is currently building a house near Indian Point.