When having hitch upgraded, any ideas to add security loops or?

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When having hitch upgraded, any ideas to add security loops or?

April 08, 2018, 10:17:06 pm

Not sure what kind of toad/electric bike/scooter/trailer we will start with, but whatever we try, what is the best way to secure them from theft in the campground and on the road? A small trailer keeps gear out of sight, thinking of trying a folding electric bike. Wondering how to secure a small trailer to the campground and/LD?

Do any of you add some type of security items, bars, hooks when you have your rear or front hitch reinforced?

Any ideas where to add a safe in a midbath for electronics, so they are all in one place lol
Maybe we just take them with us when we go sightseeing

Any security ideas would be appreciated, we haven’t been camping in over 10 years.

Re: When having hitch upgraded, any ideas to add security loops or?

Reply #1 – April 09, 2018, 03:55:32 am

Hi Clark. A step that many people have taken is to replace the exterior compartment locks that use the CH-751 universal access key. Other threads here detail the replacement with cylindrical keys/locks. Tow bars can be secured with locking pins with cylindrical lock and key.
Lock example: They have different lengths and depths. Not sure how you would get many locks all keyed alike:
RV Designer L328 Ace Compartment Lock With 1-1/8" Barrel - 4 Pack

An example of tow bar security locks. Flat key locks are really easy to pick in my opinion
Blue Ox BX88101 3 Piece Towbar Lock Kit
RonB

Re: When having hitch upgraded, any ideas to add security loops or?

Reply #2 – April 09, 2018, 10:42:00 am

Not sure how you would get many locks all keyed alike.

As far as hitch locks are concerned, try this:

Welcome to DeadBolt - Lock it up!

Re: When having hitch upgraded, any ideas to add security loops or?

Reply #3 – April 09, 2018, 06:18:14 pm

Hi Steve: Those Blue Ox tow bar locks (3) with cylindrical keys are all keyed alike. In my experience those flat key locks are way too easy to pick taking just seconds to open. Double edged keys are more secure, but still too easy.
The compartment locks come in 'fours' keyed alike. I seem to remember keyed alike sets of these to be available in larger quantities all keyed alike, but ran out of time last night. Previous threads here seemed to focus on getting a 'locksmith' to do the legwork. RonB

Re: When having hitch upgraded, any ideas to add security loops or?

Reply #4 – April 09, 2018, 08:19:18 pm

Quote from: RonB - April 09, 2018, 06:18:14 pm

The compartment locks come in 'fours' keyed alike. I seem to remember keyed alike sets of these to be available in larger quantities all keyed alike, but ran out of time last night. Previous threads here seemed to focus on getting a 'locksmith' to do the legwork. RonB

Here is good source of the storage bin, keyed-alike cylinder locks that several of us have used.
We saw the vendor at Quartzsite.
CH751 RV REPLACEMENT LOCKS, CAM LOCKS, CAMLOCKS
Measuring chart
http://ch751.com/pdfs/measuring_guide.pdf
If you take the time to accurately measure each bin's lock (yes, there are differences) with the chart, they fit correctly.
I suggest adding the lock backing plates.
Cam Lock Backing Plate - Lock Accessories - Shop

Larry

Re: When having hitch upgraded, any ideas to add security loops or?

Reply #5 – April 09, 2018, 08:24:33 pm

I have a set of Blue Ox locks that I use for the tow. I made sure to order from a person instead of ordering on line. They were great to work with. And yes. One key fits all the locks.
I’m of mixed minds about the outside storage compartments. Not sure I have stuff that is more valuable than the bodywork. Kind of like locking a convertible.

Re: When having hitch upgraded, any ideas to add security loops or?

Reply #6 – April 10, 2018, 01:36:16 am

Quote from: John DaCrema - April 09, 2018, 08:24:33 pm

I’m of mixed minds about the outside storage compartments. Not sure I have stuff that is more valuable than the bodywork. Kind of like locking a convertible.

The ease of popping the locks is a good point.
My view is that anyone with a CH751 key can open thousands of locks without having to break anything, the round key locks may be enough of an deterrent to cause a thief to move on to the next RV, one with CH751 locks.
Opening a lock with a key looks a lot less suspicious than prying each bin open with a screwdriver.
I suspect more RVs have their interiors broken into than the exterior storage bins.
The interior is where the small, valuable stuff is usually found, such cash, electronics and jewelry.

The deterrent factor is pure conjecture but it's a fact that our LD needed new locks and having all of them keyed alike was a very desirable feature.
Being able to custom order each lock provides a factory look and fit to the locks, plus less keys to carry.
The optional backing plates reinforce the Factory doors and allow repairing damaged bin doors, when their original lock holes have been stripped.

Larry

Re: When having hitch upgraded, any ideas to add security loops or?

Reply #7 – April 10, 2018, 08:25:39 am

^^^This

I have no delusions that a determined thief won’t get my locks open and do damage in doing so. However, by their very nature thieves are lazy (why they take others stuff versus earning a living and buying the stuff) so I believe a thief will look at my tubular locks and determine that he should move on to a CH751 rig.

Plus it just rubs me wrong that everyone in the campground has keys to my rig in their pocket.

Dave

PS - I kept a CH 751 key on my key ring just in case I need to help a neighbor who lost his keys.

Re: When having hitch upgraded, any ideas to add security loops or?

Reply #8 – April 10, 2018, 12:05:07 pm

Hi Dave. I also have 'barrel' cylindrical key locks, but I keep a CH-751 on my key ring. Many friends don't believe me that all exterior locks, including trailers are the same key, and are astounded that I would have a key to open all of their locks. Seeing is believing and often leads to re-keying projects.
So why did I get my locks? I brought my 'new to me' previous motorhome to work to show a co-worker. I had bought it (a Lindy) off the lot, used, and the keys weren't all together. (The dealer got them to me a few days later). My co-worker had his key and proceeded to open my outside compartments.
Where did I get my locks. Eighteen years ago, Camping World near me started selling barrel locks in groups of four. You could see the lock combination stamped on the keys in the clear packaging. They had 4 packs with the same keycode. All of the other packs on display had unique codes, so I lucked out with 16 locks that matched. I didn't need that many, and still have quite a few spares. RonB

Re: When having hitch upgraded, any ideas to add security loops or?

Reply #9 – April 10, 2018, 12:26:17 pm

Quote from: huskerblue - April 10, 2018, 08:25:39 am

Plus it just rubs me wrong that everyone in the campground has keys to my rig in their pocket.
I kept a CH 751 key on my key ring just in case I need to help a neighbor who lost his keys.

At the Grand Caravan, in 2006, a few Caravan members were using a water trailer to fill our water tanks, at a small cost.
They were getting close to filling our LD's water tank when we were ready to leave, going into own.
I asked them if I should leave the water-fill door open and they just laughed, telling me they could open any exterior door in the campground they wanted too with the Factory CH751 key.
I didn't know then that it could be done so easily.
Soon after that, I bought a 4-pack of cylindrical locks, the type of lock we have used ever since.
I too, carry CH751, so useful when working on a friend's rig, often it is a big surprise for them to discover the locks can be so easily opened by so many.

Larry

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