One of the great things about owning a trailer is the convenience that it can provide. Once you have the proper hitch on your vehicle, you can back up into position, attach the trailer, and be on your way. But of course, if it’s that easy for you to tow your trailer away, it would be just as easy for a thief to do the same thing.
Trailer theft is a problem that can be addressed by taking steps to make it more challenging for someone to take off with your property. This article will highlight some tips that are easy to implement to keep your trailer safer starting immediately.
But remember, among the best trailer theft prevention methods is parking your trailer within a secured garage space. By locking the door between the would-be thief and the trailer, you’ll be making it much more difficult for you to be a victim. If you’d like to add a metal garage or shed to your property for trailer storage, American Carports, Inc. is the perfect partner for that project. Explore our Build & Price tool to discover the possibilities and receive a free estimate for your project!
Understanding the Strategy
The idea behind securing your trailer is to make it as difficult as possible for a potential thief to steal the trailer from your property. That isn’t to say that you are making it impossible, as there is no 100% guarantee someone won’t try. But if you make it hard enough, the thief will likely move on to look for an easier target.
If your trailer is parked outside on your property with no theft prevention measures, any steps you take to secure it will be a big move in the right direction. Unfortunately, too many trailer owners get overwhelmed by the many security options on the market and wind up doing nothing. Don’t make that mistake – even small steps can make a big difference.
Lock Up These Two Key Components
To secure your trailer, two primary areas should grab most of your attention – the hitch and the wheels. So let’s discuss each of those below.
The hitch
Without access to the hitch, a thief will be stuck in their tracks and be forced to move on. So, adding a hitch lock is a logical first step for trailer security. These products come in various shapes, sizes, and prices, so you can shop around for one that fits your needs. Even a basic model is better than nothing, as you’ll be putting a barrier between the hitch socket and whatever vehicle the thief was planning on using to tow the trailer away.
The wheels
Just as the trailer isn’t going anywhere if the thief can’t access the hitch, it also won’t go anywhere if the wheels won’t turn. Wheel locks are another accessory you might want to pick up and install on your trailer when it isn’t in use. Between a lock on one of the wheels and a lock on the hitch, a thief would have to work hard to succeed.
Both items discussed above are relatively small and can be stored away easily while using the trailer. But, of course, you’ll need to keep the keys close at hand so you can remove the locks when the time comes to put the trailer in motion again.
Parking Indoors Has Many Benefits
We already mentioned that parking your trailer inside of a garage is one of the best security steps you can take for your trailer. If you park the trailer inside a locked garage and then add a lock on the hitch or wheel, you’ll have a setup that most criminals will pass up to look for an easier target.
It should be noted, however, that having indoor parking for your trailer is not just about security. That might start out as your primary motivation, but you’ll soon realize that parking inside protects your trailer from the weather and gives you a place to perform maintenance comfortably. Depending on the design of your garage or shed, you might also be able to use it for storage purposes, aside from just trailer parking.
American Carports Has You Covered
We hope you enjoyed this guide on trailer theft prevention. While no single system or method is perfect when it comes to theft prevention, your best bet is to layer a few different techniques to make it as hard as possible for your trailer to be stolen.
And remember, if you’d like to add a metal garage or shed to your property for trailer storage, American Carports, Inc. is the perfect partner for that project. Explore our Build & Price tool to discover the possibilities, and contact our team if you have any questions along the way. Again, thank you for visiting our blog, and we hope to help you soon!
