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Reading Time: 6 minutesLast Updated on August 7, 2025 by Paul Clayton
Table of Contents
How Do You Lock a Trailer Hitch to Avoid Theft?
Key Takeaways
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- Diverse Locking Methods: You can secure a trailer hitch using various methods, including universal coupler locks, individual hitch pins, and puck locks.
- Budget-Friendly Options: Effective theft prevention doesn’t have to be expensive. Options like wheel locks (clamshells), safety chains, and motion sensor floodlights are available for under
$200, often under$60. - Advanced Security: For higher security, consider ground anchors (best for permanent parking) and alarms, with some alarms offering GPS tracking for real-time location.
- DIY Solutions: For those on a tight budget, consider practical DIY methods such as removing trailer wheels, creating a homemade tongue lock, and practicing smart parking in well-lit or blocked areas.
- Installation Matters: Always follow the manual for proper installation of any locking device to ensure its effectiveness.
- Layered Security: The article suggests combining methods, like wheel locks with chains, for enhanced protection, especially in high-density parking areas.
Boat thieves can steal your pontoon boat, jet skis, canoes, and even marine rafts if you don’t secure your boat trailer.
After several robbing experiences, we switched to a boat trailer and mastered securing it instead. We haven’t faced a single theft issue after it for the past 22 years.
Can you put a lock on a trailer?
The short answer is yes. It doesn’t matter what trailer you use; every trailer offers lock and security options. According to Mark Ryden, the lead and founder of hitchspecialist.com, you can lock any trailer with a universal coupler. Different brands provide keys to secure the trailer coupling, which means attaching the trailer.
Also, you can lock a trailer, including a boat trailer, using individual hitch pins. Puck locks are popular for closing trailers. These have a round casting that sits behind your trailer’s shackles and is shaped like a hockey puck.
Finally, trailers come with special locks; you should check the manual to learn how to attach them correctly.
How do you lock a boat trailer to avoid theft? (Budget-friendly simple ways)
Trailer Wheel Lock & Chain
Wheel locks are one of the most accessible devices for stopping theft. These are more popularly known as clamshell locks than Wheel locks. The lock arm wraps around your trailer wheel and is shaped like a clamshell that protects the wheels from easy access. You will see different types and models of wheel locks that grab the wheels from the back or front.
We prefer clamshell-shaped locks. Why? They prevent the thief from driving the boat trailer away. Even if they do, the tire will puncture, making their heist fail. We have used the Mophorn 2-piece Wheel Lock for our Tandem Axle Aluminum 8600.
You can get a solid wheel locker for between $40 $200. A ratchet set is a must for installing these locks. First, open the adapters and position them in the midsection of the tire. Then, take the screws and align them. After aligning it, you can install it using screws and the rather.
Now, you’re done.
Safety chains usually come with trailers or hitches and have different installation processes. Make sure to follow the manual. The general rule of installing a safety chain is to attach it to a plastic cable and circle it 360 degrees around the tire.
This will allow us to cover the wheelchains and pull them upwards. Position the plastic cables lock side to side, and align the bottom cable with the bottom click.
Notice that the chain has a diamond shape. It prevents the wheel from moving and nearly punches the tires if driven. Suppose your trailer is one; you would need a 6 mm chain.
Most wheel chains cost under $50, but if you carry heavy-duty boats and canoes, you’ll need more vital chains that cost above $100.
Motion Sensor Floodlights
Motion sensors are electronic chips that detect infrared waves. They can detect heat waves and warmer objects like people, cars, and animals. Censoring body temperature and movement automatically turns the lights on a boat trailer.
Floodlights are high-powered lights that are usually seen in stadiums or outdoors. But how do they secure a boat trailer?
After installing and setting up your motion sensor floodlight, it will automatically light up and alarm if anyone tries to break in.
These work best in low to medium traffic, where there are more miniature objects around the boat trailer.
However, medium to low boats are tied around, usually beside a boat trailer. But if you park your trailer in a high-density space, you need an extra backup besides motion sensor floodlights. The installation part is tricky because it triggers an alarm, even if you try to move your boat trailer.
The standard installation method involves positioning the device eight feet above ground, toward the coupler, and selecting a sensitivity zone. In this zone, they would typically try to break the hitch locks or other chains.
Typically, you wouldn’t try to open hitch locks without disabling the motion sensor. You can install multiple of them in areas where thieves can break in and steal your boats. Most of the motion sensor floodlights are under $60.
Ground Anchors
Ground anchors are more popular for travel trailers than boat trailers. Most people lock the trailer and make it their home. However, most people make this mistake while using a ground anchor: They dig the anchor into dirt or water.
To install a ground anchor, you must dig at least 16 feet into the ground and make a 10-foot-wide hole. So, the ground anchor takes place and doesn’t blow out in the wind. Next, you position it in a 360-degree manner and secure it in place using a screw.
Then, attach the boat trailer to the anchor. A ground anchor is a device installed in soil or tensile load and attached to a trailer, ensuring it cannot move and stays in the same position. You’ll also know them as tiebacks.
These are drilled into the ground, so the boat trailer cannot move. Using anchors can be a hassle when camping or on a trip. We recommend these for permanent or extended-duration security.
It is better to use them for permanent or long-duration boat trailer parking. However, ground anchors provide the highest protection, despite the other ways we mentioned here.
The Pro Grip 810101 is our favorite ground anchor. We also love the CURT 83730, but it’s better for a mounted trailer than a boat trailer. Most anchors cost around $14 to $68.
Install an Alarm
GPS alarms are the best and most practical solution to prevent theft. How does an alarm work? Most alarms sound and alert when they detect the boat trailer taking a reverse route. They also detect the trailer’s movement, as well as the temperatures of animals and humans.
Alarms are weather-resistant, and rain and snow don’t affect the motion sensor. You can also customize your trailer alarm system to select specific motions or activities and set the alert times. Some trailer alarms feature an extended sound that extends up to the bumper and the RV system, creating a louder noise.
Some people install the alarm on the door, while many others install it on the tongue, and you can also install it on the coupler. The installation process varies from brand to brand. To activate the alarm, you must manually turn on the red wire and connect it to the blue wire.
Some offer a plug system for which you may have to get a different switch system. Most alarms offer a mobile app that allows users to send a text or make sounds, in addition to sounding on the spot. Many alarms now include a GPS tracker to send you the live location of the boat trailer.
A trailer alarm will cost you between $11 and $50. If you want a GPS included, it will cost you around $60.
Alternative ways without spending money (DIY)
We are not a fan of DIYs regarding boat trailer safety. But sometimes situations call for DIYs, and we have some great security ideas for you:
Remove the trailer wheel
It’s a classic idea. The thieves won’t be able to steal your boat trailer if it doesn’t have wheels, and they can’t carry the jet skis without a trailer or towing vehicle. This might cause you to spend more time packing and setting up.
Make sure to keep those wheels in a safe place.
Make your tongue lock
First, separate your hitch and the hitch ball. Remove the shackles attached to the hitch. Get a safety chain according to the gross weight rating and wrap it around the trailer tongue in a 360-degree manner.
Now, take a strong lock and secure the chain shackles. We recommend double locking to eliminate additional risk.
Park smart
Always park trailers or cars in a well-lit space, campsite, or parking lot. Suppose there’s a CCTV camera facility; that’s a bonus. But if you don’t find any options, search for a safe place.
Walking far to the parking lot is better than stealing your boats. We often block pathways by parking in a row of trees. When camping with colleagues or friends, we also position each other’s cars to block trailer movement.
Final Thoughts
Which is the best way to secure a boat trailer? Thieves can either be underprepared or experts in breaking trailer locks. So, you always have to keep the best security for your trailer and boats.
It’s clever to combine two or three security systems into one. For us, the most brilliant combination is using a wheel lock, a separate boat lock, and an alarm. However, ground anchors and removing trailer wheels are superior options if you park for a long time.
GPS is convenient nowadays. Another tip is to leave two links attached to the boat trailer tongue while hauling it.
