Trailer Security: Protecting Your Hitch, Eye and Wheels
Trailers are easy to tow away, which makes them an obvious target. The most effective approach is to use more than one layer of security, so a thief has several obstacles to deal with rather than one.
Layer one: the coupling
The coupling is the first thing a thief needs to use. How you protect it depends on the type of coupling.
Ball-type couplings
A hitch lock covers the coupling head so it cannot be hitched to a tow ball. Hitch locks are made to fit specific coupling heads, so read our guide on how to choose a hitch lock before ordering.
Towing eyes
Trailers with a drawbar eye need an eye lock instead:
- The Bulldog SA18 Eye Lock suits towing eyes up to 30mm, 40mm and 50mm thick.
- The SAS Green iLOCK fits eye couplings from 40 to 60mm.
- The Bulldog SA11 and SA12 eye locks prevent drawbar eyes being coupled, and can be used with a Bulldog chain.
Layer two: the wheels
A wheel clamp stops the trailer being moved even if the coupling is defeated. The Bulldog CA500 Centaur is designed for trailers and adjusts to fit wheels from 460mm to 540mm in diameter. Our Wheel Clamp Sizing Guide explains how to find the right size.
Locking wheel bolts protect the wheels themselves. SAS make M12 spherical bolts for Debon and Cheval Liberté alloy wheels, and M14 bolts for trailers with 14mm wheel bolts.
Layer three: a fixed point
When the trailer is parked at home, fixing it to the ground adds another layer.
- The Bulldog SA7 Hitch Post lets you hitch the trailer to the post and lock it in place with a hitch lock.
- The Bulldog TP200 T Post passes through the A-frame of the chassis and locks into the ground, and is designed for trailers and horseboxes.
- The SAS heavy-duty docking station lets you chain the chassis to the ground or a wall.
Don’t forget the doors and ramps
For box trailers, the contents can be as valuable as the trailer. There are padlock sets for Ifor Williams box trailer doors, a door handle lock for Debon box trailers, and a ramp lock for Brian James car transporters.
Browse the hitch and coupling locks range, or call 01952 740308 and we will help you put a set together.