Overnight security when trailering

[dloy1324]

How do you secure your trailer while traveling? Specifically overnight hotel stays.
Thank you

 

[cScjhb]

It's not clear if you're asking about securing a pull-behind or a cargo trailer. I've done both. Re; Cargo trailers, I always back the trailer in to make it impossible to remove the bike if the trailer is broken into. Even places that have signs saying to not back in. I just tell the clerk what I'm doing and why. Started doing this after crooks were caught trying to remove my Goldwing from an open trailer.

Pull behind trailer was always kept secured to the bike and locked with a coupler lock that could not be cut off with bolt cutters. Crooks could always dismantle the tongue or coupler so I always tried to park in well lite, visible locations close to and in sight of the office. I also backed the little trailer in. Made it easier to unload and harder to steal. And last but not least, make sure my insurance is up to date.

 

[PosseRider]

How do you secure your trailer while traveling? Specifically overnight hotel stays.
Thank you

master locks on tail gate ,wheel lock & coupler lock

 

[dloy1324]

Specifically for a utility trailer. Like the coupler and ramp locks. How do you lock the wheels? I've seen wheel locks for cars, are they the same? Safe to use on the TG?

Thanks

 

[Marc H]

For the trailer i lock the coupler and lock both wheels. Trailer wheel lock - J-Lock style, 6.5" To 11" From J Curve | eBay

 

[dloy1324]

For the trailer i lock the coupler and lock both wheels. Trailer wheel lock - J-Lock style, 6.5" To 11" From J Curve | eBay

Thanks Mark, I’ve never seen the J lock before. Looks very effective.

 

[pwhoever]

For the trailer i lock the coupler and lock both wheels. Trailer wheel lock - J-Lock style, 6.5" To 11" From J Curve | eBay

I like that idea. I have seen some locks that just clamp to the wheel but wouldn't prevent someone from removing the wheel and replacing it. Although that wouldn't be quick, it has been done. Yours would do a much better job of preventing the removal of the wheel.

 

[Dan SC]

Don`t put Harley decals or paint jobs on the enclosed trailer, or the tow vehicle.

Although when I am pulling a trailer, I`m glad to see one of those marked up trailers in the parking lot...

 

[Notgrownup]

Put a Goldwing cover on it.

 

[Marc H]

Nothing makes one theft proof but the more trouble it is to get the more apt they are to go to the next guy.

 

[Papa Zook]

Put a Goldwing cover on it.

LMAO!

 

[Old Road Dog]

As a retired trucker I can only say the only theft proof trailer is a 1911A1 and rotating guard shifts.

 

[GrumpyVet]

As a retired trucker I can only say the only theft proof trailer is a 1911A1 and rotating guard shifts.

Always travel "heavy."

 

[PosseRider]

Thanks Mark, I’ve never seen the J lock before. Looks very effective.

https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Security-Vehicles-Motorcycles-Deterrent/dp/B083146BCX?ref_=ast_sto_dp#immersive-view_1736264831888

 

[pwhoever]

https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Security-Vehicles-Motorcycles-Deterrent/dp/B083146BCX?ref_=ast_sto_dp#immersive-view_1736264831888

These are like the ones I was mentioning earlier in this thread. They only clamp around the tire and rim. All the lug nuts are exposed and would be pretty simple to unbolt the wheel and slap a replacement on there. I do realize that not all criminals will have an extra rim available but determined ones just might. These can be a deterrent but are more about keeping honest folks honest.

 

[Rogue1]

These are like the ones I was mentioning earlier in this thread. They only clamp around the tire and rim. All the lug nuts are exposed and would be pretty simple to unbolt the wheel and slap a replacement on there. I do realize that not all criminals will have an extra rim available but determined ones just might. These can be a deterrent but are more about keeping honest folks honest.

I think the real answer is with all these safety features, if somebody really, really wants your bike, they're going to get it. That being said anything you can do to make it more difficult do it including hiring Mr Smith and Mr Wesson.

 

[Papa Zook]

I always back the trailer in to make it impossible to remove the bike if the trailer is broken into. Even places that have signs saying to not back in. I just tell the clerk what I'm doing and why. Started doing this after crooks were caught trying to remove my Goldwing from an open trailer.

Pull behind trailer was always kept secured to the bike and locked with a coupler lock that could not be cut off with bolt cutters. Crooks could always dismantle the tongue or coupler so I always tried to park in well lite, visible locations close to and in sight of the office. I also backed the little trailer in. Made it easier to unload and harder to steal. And last but not least, make sure my insurance is up to date.

This right here. When possible, I also back my trailer into a spot where I can rest the rear trailer tires against a curb with just enough pressure to assure that the trailer latch cannot be unhooked even if the lock was cut off and removed. I also use multiple high quality locks and security chains.

 

[Notgrownup]

I like to believe I stop and stay at places that are nice enough that I’m not too worried about my crap getting broken into.

 

[Rogue1]

I like to believe I stop and stay at places that are nice enough that I’m not too worried about my crap getting broken into.

That's a nice thought, but I'm of the mind no matter where you're staying if somebody really wants your shit they're going to get it. If at all possible I ask for a room where I can see the bike outside the room window. And yes I stay in nice places. Locks on the trailer gate, locks on the hitch. It's hard to prepare for every scenario I just do what I can.

 

[pwhoever]

That's a nice thought, but I'm of the mind no matter where you're staying if somebody really wants your shit they're going to get it. If at all possible I ask for a room where I can see the bike outside the room window. And yes I stay in nice places. Locks on the trailer gate, locks on the hitch. It's hard to prepare for every scenario I just do what I can.

Yes sad but true. But also be very cautious if you happen to be by yourself and see someone messing with your stuff and has several others with them. It cost one motorcycle owner (Larry Weaver) his life down in Sikeston MO a few years back. Although this didn't involve a trailer theft, it is still motorcycle and travel related.

Larry Weaver was murdered by three hoodlums for his Harley-Davidson motorcycle

When Larry Weaver chased down the criminals who stole his motorcycle, they beat him up and left him to die in a cotton field in Missouri.

www.dailycrime.com

 

[Papa Zook]

Nothing you own is worth getting killed over, that is what you have insurance for. Now lethal threats against myself, my wife, children and grand children, that's another matter, but even those situations can be handled with intelligence. Concealed carry and if necessary, projecting an appearance of compliance until the right opportunity presents itself is the best defense.

 

[Rogue1]

Nothing you own is worth getting killed over, that is what you have insurance for. Now lethal threats against myself, my wife, children and grand children, that's another matter, but even those situations can be handled with intelligence. Concealed carry and if necessary, projecting an appearance of compliance until the right opportunity presents itself is the best defense.

I concur

 

[Notgrownup]

That's a nice thought, but I'm of the mind no matter where you're staying if somebody really wants your shit they're going to get it. If at all possible I ask for a room where I can see the bike outside the room window. And yes I stay in nice places. Locks on the trailer gate, locks on the hitch. It's hard to prepare for every scenario I just do what I can.

Locks are only there for honest Theives.

 

[Rogue1]

Any

Locks are only there for honest Theives.

Oh I see. Staying in a 'NICE' place will keep the bike safe. Good luck with that.

 

[pwhoever]

One thing I try to look for when traveling is the old style Motor Hotels where the door to the room opens right to the parking spaces. I will park right in front of the room so I can keep a close eye on mine. I also try to scope out what kind of clientele are staying there when pulling in. If it seems a bit hinky, or just doesn't feel right, I move on. I also heavily use reviews and book through Orbitz, Tripadvisor, booking.com, etc... earlier in the day so I have a good idea where I'm going to be for the night. This has served me well.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Here is a video that may be useful in traveling, whether on Trike, bike or trailering.



Kevin

 

[pwhoever]

I just thought of something else to add. Around my place, when leaving on or returning from a trip I will be on interstates. When leaving though, at the first chance I get, it's off the interstate and riding 2 lane roads as much as possible. It may take a little longer but much more enjoyable. But this also means traveling through many small towns. And those are the best places to find the motels I like. Prices are also usually much more agreeable as well.

Although motels/hotels are more plentiful off the interstate, those are the ones that have gotten my Spidey sense tingling more often than not. And 2 years ago, I happened to stop at a motel in Salem, IN. Some time after arriving, 2 guys on Harleys pulled in. I ended up chatting it up with them. They were coming from way east and headed to California. They had just gotten off I-65 about 20 miles east of Salem and were getting gas. They began talking with a local about a place to stay. The local said you want to stay away from the hotels right off interstate here because they have been having a serious bed bug problem. The local said just head west and you will be ok. And that's what they did. The place we stayed was clean, quiet, reasonably priced, door opened to parking lot and best of all, no bed bugs.

I have found that the staff at these small town motels are usually much more friendly and it's not unusual to end up hanging out with some of the other travelers in the parking lot while winding down.

One thing I try to do is figure out the distance to my destination and then see if I can at least make it just over halfway the first day. Then I begin looking at the names of the towns on the way and pick an unusually named town. I have stayed in Licking, Sweetwater, Falls Of Rough, Norton, Cañon City, etc...

 

[Dan SC]

That being said anything you can do to make it more difficult do it including hiring Mr Smith and Mr Wesson.

Exactly how does a gun keep your motorcycle from being stolen ?

 

[GrumpyVet]

Exactly how does a gun keep your motorcycle from being stolen ?

Army guys know - Center of mass. (Just teasing you!)

 

[cScjhb]

Exactly how does a gun keep your motorcycle from being stolen ?

A few years back I rode with a guy who had an empty holster mounted on his bike. His theory..... Crooks looking to steal his bike or its' goodies would see the holster and wonder where the gun was and if it was pointed at them!