Towing Security Locking Ball Mount

[oldjeep]

Not worried so much about a hitch, more worried about the props and boat as keys never leave the ignition and lets face it theres no way to lock the props on.

Well, there are prop locks My boat doesn't even have keys, one of these days I should change the ignition code from the stock 1234

 

[krakatoa]

My drawbar or ball mount is always in my Truck, has been saved my rear bumper/door a few times, and still looking perfect, just take a look to the pic I posted a few replies back. Nor any damage to lock. Again I dont understand what is the fear about lock rusted or cut of any hitch, I just leave mine there for years and never have a problem with it, working as the very first day.

 

[agallant80]

Make sure you buy a lock to lock the trailer to the ball. I hear of lots of stolen trailers esp around coastal areas.

 

[krakatoa]

No Title

Beat? I can't imagine any thief taking more than 10 seconds to try to steal a drawbar, even the $200 Anderson Rapid Hitch adjustable that I use on my truck. Any lock will work. At 5000lbs, it isn't rated high enough to tow my boat or car trailer anyways.

If you are happy that is good, personally I would not use a lock/bar that I would have to plasma cut off my hitch.

WOW!! That one is really pricey.....no doubt

 

[oldjeep]

My drawbar or ball mount is always in my Truck, has been saved my rear bumper/door a few times, and still looking perfect, just take a look to the pic I posted a few replies back. Nor any damage to lock. Again I dont understand what is the fear about lock rusted or cut of any hitch, I just leave mine there for years and never have a problem with it, working as the very first day.

Weather must be nicer where you live. In the land of ice and snow, things corrode when you look at them.

 

[smokeonthewater]

I think you are missing the point... The fancy built in lock doesn't do anything your 2008 lock won't do except IF it fails you may need a whole new receiver hitch. It won't keep your boat from being stolen... Yes of course lock things up but going with this because you think it is a better lock is where we part ways.... I haven't had bad luck with locks.... I have just been around a LOT more locks than you probably have..... I have locks that I've been using since the 80's and I've had some fail within a month or two. I hope you never have an issue with it....... Happy boating

 

[hungupthespikes]

Sorry, just not for me.
Gimmick comes to mind on this item.
1. locks are to keep honest people honest......That's about all this hitch is good for.
2. The ball is the weak point if someone wants your boat, and Master didn't address that at all. Even made it easier with the one wrench design of the ball.
3. The lock/tumblers may hold up, but the mechanical part to extend the pins would make me pass on this one. One good blizzard and it could get frozen and the ice would have it's way with the mechanics.
4. It is mechanical therefor it will break. Getting it out of the receiver would be a bear. Anybody that has pounded out a rusted drawbar knows it's not fun and we're talking about rust not something designed not to come out.

huts

 

[agallant80]

Don't forget to lock your trailer to the ball. I have heard many stories of people going out for a few days to come back to a missing trailer.

 

[Silvertip]

Let's analyze methods of securing your ball mount to the tow vehicle and the trailer to the ball.
1) Receiver/ball mount pin lock. Does a good job of securing the ball mount to the truck. Many options available.
2) Problem#1. Does not secure trailer.
3) Coupler lock to secure trailer to ball. Great! Any cheap padlock will do the job.
4) Problem #2. Remove the ball mounting nut to make off with the trailer. Or -- remove the big nut under the coupler. Your trailer (and boat) are now gone.
5) Fix for #4 is to spot weld the ball mounting nut and the coupler adjusting nut.
6) Problem #3. Couplers can be removed by removing the two mounting bolts. Couplers are cheap; and generally universal. Again, Your trailer and boat are gone in minutes.
7) Fix for problem #3 is to weld the coupler to the trailer tongue.
8) The only remaining problem is replacement of said welded items should it ever become necessary.
9) If your boat and/or trailer are desired bad enough, it will turn up missing regardless what you do.

 

[Silvertip]

Let's analyze methods of securing your ball mount to the tow vehicle and the trailer to the ball.
1) Receiver/ball mount pin lock. Does a good job of securing the ball mount to the truck. Many options available.
2) Problem#1. Does not secure trailer.
3) Coupler lock to secure trailer to ball. Great! Any cheap padlock will do the job.
4) Problem #2. Remove the ball mounting nut to make off with the trailer. Or -- remove the big nut under the coupler. Your trailer (and boat) are now gone.
5) Fix for #4 is to spot weld the ball mounting nut and the coupler adjusting nut. WARNING: Do not arc weld the ball mount ON THE TRUCK. You will pay a very large price in damaged electronics.
6) Problem #3. Couplers can be removed by removing the two mounting bolts. Couplers are cheap; and generally universal. Again, Your trailer and boat are gone in minutes.
7) Fix for problem #3 is to weld the coupler to the trailer tongue.
8) The only remaining problem is replacement of said welded items should it ever become necessary.
9) If your boat and/or trailer are desired bad enough, it will turn up missing regardless what you do.

 

[agallant80]

Let's analyze methods of securing your ball mount to the tow vehicle and the trailer to the ball.
1) Receiver/ball mount pin lock. Does a good job of securing the ball mount to the truck. Many options available.
2) Problem#1. Does not secure trailer.
3) Coupler lock to secure trailer to ball. Great! Any cheap padlock will do the job.
4) Problem #2. Remove the ball mounting nut to make off with the trailer. Or -- remove the big nut under the coupler. Your trailer (and boat) are now gone.
5) Fix for #4 is to spot weld the ball mounting nut and the coupler adjusting nut.
6) Problem #3. Couplers can be removed by removing the two mounting bolts. Couplers are cheap; and generally universal. Again, Your trailer and boat are gone in minutes.
7) Fix for problem #3 is to weld the coupler to the trailer tongue.
8) The only remaining problem is replacement of said welded items should it ever become necessary.
9) If your boat and/or trailer are desired bad enough, it will turn up missing regardless what you do.

This is why insurance exists. If someone wants something bad enough they will get it regardless of what you do to secure it.

 

[haulnazz15]

. . . And for the guys that leave the drawbar in, that is a bad idea from a safety aspect, as well as illegal in some areas.

Bull. Safety aspect my rear! A draw bar sitting 6-8" from the back bumper doesn't have an affect on safety other than someone's shin when they walk by too closely. Sure, it busts through someone's bumper and radiator if they hit the back of you, but that isn't a safety issue. Their airbags will deploy when their bumper hits yours. Better not have a bike rack, or brushguard/bull bar, winch, taller tires, etc mounted on your vehicle as it will affect the safety equipment functioning. I have heard tales of it being "illegal" in some states, but it's more old wives' tale than fact. Very few states actually have any laws on the books that dictate draw bar use.

 

[krakatoa]

Bull. Safety aspect my rear! A draw bar sitting 6-8" from the back bumper doesn't have an affect on safety other than someone's shin when they walk by too closely. Sure, it busts through someone's bumper and radiator if they hit the back of you, but that isn't a safety issue.

Absolutely!!! :laugh:

 

[krakatoa]

WOW I am sure glad I don't have to think about such things. Hell the trolling motor is on and keys are in the boat now. (please steal the trolling motor I hate it)

Really??? Please double check :happy:

 

[krakatoa]

No Title

The lady arrived last Sat, lubed very well and tested on Sunday, feels great and looks like will handle for a looooong time.

 

[oldjeep]

The lady arrived last Sat, lubed very well and tested on Sunday, feels great and looks like will handle for a looooong time.

How much side to side do you get with that setup? Maybe it is just the picture but the receiver looks like it has space all the way around it

 

[bigdee]

Let's analyze methods of securing your ball mount to the tow vehicle and the trailer to the ball.
1) Receiver/ball mount pin lock. Does a good job of securing the ball mount to the truck. Many options available.
2) Problem#1. Does not secure trailer.
3) Coupler lock to secure trailer to ball. Great! Any cheap padlock will do the job.
4) Problem #2. Remove the ball mounting nut to make off with the trailer. Or -- remove the big nut under the coupler. Your trailer (and boat) are now gone.
5) Fix for #4 is to spot weld the ball mounting nut and the coupler adjusting nut.
6) Problem #3. Couplers can be removed by removing the two mounting bolts. Couplers are cheap; and generally universal. Again, Your trailer and boat are gone in minutes.
7) Fix for problem #3 is to weld the coupler to the trailer tongue.
8) The only remaining problem is replacement of said welded items should it ever become necessary.
9) If your boat and/or trailer are desired bad enough, it will turn up missing regardless what you do.

Excellent points. Most of these methods are easily defeated with a wrench. For the money and simplicity I prefer a cheaper but quality cable lock to tie trailer frame to truck frame.

 

[krakatoa]

How much side to side do you get with that setup? Maybe it is just the picture but the receiver looks like it has space all the way around it

There is less than 1/8 "eye measure" just enought room to slide in the ball mount, once the boat and trailer in there is no no swing play, its handle very well.

 

[krakatoa]

Let's analyze methods of securing your ball mount to the tow vehicle and the trailer to the ball.
1) Receiver/ball mount pin lock. Does a good job of securing the ball mount to the truck. Many options available.
2) Problem#1. Does not secure trailer.
3) Coupler lock to secure trailer to ball. Great! Any cheap padlock will do the job.
4) Problem #2. Remove the ball mounting nut to make off with the trailer. Or -- remove the big nut under the coupler. Your trailer (and boat) are now gone.
5) Fix for #4 is to spot weld the ball mounting nut and the coupler adjusting nut.
6) Problem #3. Couplers can be removed by removing the two mounting bolts. Couplers are cheap; and generally universal. Again, Your trailer and boat are gone in minutes.
7) Fix for problem #3 is to weld the coupler to the trailer tongue.
8) The only remaining problem is replacement of said welded items should it ever become necessary.
9) If your boat and/or trailer are desired bad enough, it will turn up missing regardless what you do.

WOW! No offense but If anyone have to pass thru this or even think about it, just move from neighborhood or keep out from boating and look for other hobbies...

 

[bruceb58]

WOW! No offense but If anyone have to pass thru this or even think about it, just move from neighborhood or keep out from boating and look for other hobbies...

That was his point. To really make your rig secure, there is so much more to do than just buying a locking ball mount. One reason why I don't bother with anything.