Tow hitch anti-theft

Had my tow hitch stolen last night.
Are there Useful modifications or products available?
is there a thread on this already?
I tow daily for work. Removing it every night and installing every morning not an option.

I can add a pic of missing hitch for those of you who can only read pictures

 

Google "Trailer Hitch Lock" and click on Images

 

You can only stop the honest folks, but this will help. If they want it bad enough, they're gonna find a way.

 

I got this - wanted the black as I'm trying to take anything chrome/silver off my truck.

AC-DK 5/8" Black Trailer Hitch Receiver Lock Pin, 5/8" Dia, 4.7" Super Extra Long Black Pin for Class III IV Hitches, Anti-Theft Lock Pin with Dust, for Trailer, Truck, Car, Boat and Bike

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DLPD6ZH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8

 

My stinger costs all of 25 bucks. I wouldn't put it past people to steal, but thats a desperate move to do so.

I'm a guy that hates keys. I got this combination pin and have been using it for a couple of years now. Its been solid. Most people here will shit on it for not being secure enough, but again, its protecting an Andrew Jackson's worth of equipment.

$23 Trimax MAG200 Resettable Combination Bent Pin 5/8" Receiver Lock

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000W0OFXG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

Copy

 

This is what I had. It can Be easily snapped off with a pipe. You slide a pipe of slightly larger dia over the lock and leverage it off

 

There are various locking pins, as mentioned in this thread, but I don't see what's so difficult about removing the ball hitch when it's not in use. It takes, what, less than a minute?

The locking pins are most useful when you don't want your trailer, itself, stolen. Then you need 2 locking pins, one for the hitch (truck side) and one for the socket (trailer side).

 

Bro if they're out there putting in the effort to break off your locking hitch pins to steel your tow ball, there's something else going on. That just don' make sense. The things aren't that expensive. Guess you're just gonna have to start taking it on and off everyday.

 

My HC Rear bumper doesn't have room for a locking pin (or if it does I don't know how to get one in). But at the same time it's not easy to reach/find/remove the pin anyhow! And good luck in the dark without a headlamp.

 

Back in so its not obvious that you have one to a lazy drive by?

 

Was it an expensive hitch or just a standard ball? I've seen some really nice heavy-duty, height adjustable units that are really expensive. Maybe get a hitch pin that you can run a standard U-lock through to keep them from using a pipe on the end of it? Sorry, that's the best I got.

 

These are supposed to be good:

https://infiniterule.com/shop/?_categories=hitch-locks

 

I don’t use hitch locks to deter thieves from stealing the hitch, but from stealing the hitch with my boat, Harley or whatever trailer that’s connected to it. Again, it’s merely a deterrent or makes it a little more difficult to boost my stuff. Hitch locks are cheap and provide much more security than the standard pin with clip.

 

As I've been thinking about this all afternoon, I figured out what is likely your best solution OP. Go to your closest fab shop and just have them weld that sucker on there. Voila, no more stealing it unless those a-holes bring a grinder.

 

I put a grade 8 bolt through mine and welded a locknut on it. Someone will have to make more noise than a pet monkey to get it off. ..... life in metro Atlanta

 

Take it out when you aren't using it. If you've ever had a hitch rust into the receiver, you'll never want to deal with that ever again.

I have a cute bag that lives behind the back seat that holds the hitch, pin, keys, etc.

Plus, you get the advantage of not barking your shins on the hitch when you walk around the back of the truck.

 

I have one of these. Hitch pin and lock are built in.

https://www.etrailer.com/Drop-Hitch/Fastway/DTLBM9200.html

 

more cursing than a 12 year old on xbox live too?