Need a locking hitch pin...

Can anyone recommend a locking hitch pin? I am new to this and understand there are plenty of designs out there but without experience, I would not know which would be preferable. I bought a shackle for my hitch for recovery and would like to keep it from getting snatched. Thanks.

 

Any decent brand will work just fine, just depends on your budget.

That said, I bought a nice locking unit and it's currently frozen on my receiver. Not sure if I'll be able to hammer the locking cap loose, or if I'll end up cutting it - but food for thought. After this I'll be leaving the hitch off the truck and using a non-locking pin to save me the hassle. Maybe you'd be fine doing similar - sticking the shackle in when you head offroad and leaving it off when not needed and a simple, basic pin.

 

Don't get the usual locking pin with the one end keyed. They cut mine off and stole my trailer.

 

You're both making a good case for leaving the shackle in the truck and putting it on when needed.

 

Damn, I'm sorry that happened! Were the police able to recover it?

 

Thanks, little hope of recovery this close to Mexico. Just filled out the police report today. Stored in a locked yard but didn't check on since Dec 29.
Insurance will cover it in about two weeks allowing for recovery.

 

Ouch... sounds like it may be a lost cause trying to find it, but I'll hope you do find it, in the same condition it was taken from you in. That really blows!

 

Check out www.amplock.com

 

Thanks for the link. Had me scratching my head until I translated to English.

 

LOL! They ain't cheap but neither are your toys!

 

I managed to catch mine when it was partially frozen. Learned quickly to pack it full of bearing grease. Its a little bit grimey to touch now, but opens consistently and reliably whenever needed. Grease is also good between the receiver and the ball mount. Keeps the rust from packing in there.

In fact, most things to do with trucks and trailers can be solved with generous use of grease. When in doubt, grease it.

 

If a criminal wants something bad enough, nothing is going to stop them. Probably isn't worth it to a criminal to cut the pin off just to grab a ball mount or shackle -- but a valuable trailer (or trailer contents), sure.

Small things like ball mount are OPPORTUNISTIC thefts. Could get grabbed if its EASY to grab, but really not going anywhere if there is even a small amount of work involved in grabbing it.

Big things, like a trailer, or the whole car, are planned crimes. They set out to steal it, and bring tools specific for the job. That's why something like "the club" isn't going to stop your car from being stolen. The criminal brings their tool kit, which includes bolt cutters, which break "the club" into two pieces in under 1 second. If they set out to steal a trailer, they bring a grinder or sawzall to cut the pin.

 

I have a locking hitch pin, forget which brand, but just check reviews on Amazon. I use the locking hitch pin while on the road so those losers at gas stops, who like to pull hitch pins out and assume you won't notice, can't. Otherwise, when I am not towing I pull the ball mount off always. Where my camper is parked I have a coupler lock and a wheel clamp to prevent theft.

But as tgear says, if a thief wants it s/he will probably get it

 

Good plan. While traveling, especially through the Southwest, when parked for the night I recommend using the wheel clamp, hitch pin and/or coupler. Too many trailers stolen from hotels and neighborhoods around here never to be recovered.

 

Uses your ignition key:

$40 Bolt 7023584 5/8" Receiver Lock for Toyota Keys

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C5T0JCI/ref=s9_hps_bw_g263_i5

 

Lost mine about two weeks ago out of a locked lot.

 

leaving a chrome pin in the reciever full time will lead to a rusted pin, whether it's locking or not. recovery shackle units are small enough you're better off putting it under the seat or in a bag with other recovery gear since you're very unlikely to need it when you're not on the trail.

 

I saw your post regarding the theft. Sure sorry that happened. Seems to me theft and burglary are rapidly getting worse in the area. Apparently thieves know even if an alarm sounds, or they're seen in the act, the police won't arrive in time to stop them. And that doesn't take into account places that aren't monitored.