Short answer: a hitch lock prevents a thief from hooking your trailer up to their vehicle, and a wheel lock prevents it from rolling. One is better than nothing. Using both together is what the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) recommends. In Quebec, the Sûreté du Québec (Quebec's provincial police) recommends equipping the trailer with an anti-theft device that resists bolt cutters.
A trailer left unhitched in a yard or parking lot is an easy target: no key, no ignition, just a ball to hook onto. Here is how each type of lock works, and how to choose the right one for your trailer.
The hitch lock: securing the coupler
The hitch lock (also called a coupler lock or trailer lock) fits into the coupler when the trailer is unhitched. It takes the place of the ball. As long as it is locked, no one can hitch the trailer to another pickup truck.
There are two main families:
- Universal models. The Master Lock 1 7/8 in to 2 5/16 in coupler lock is a universal model. According to Master Lock, it fits 1 7/8 in and 2 in couplers as well as most 2 5/16 in couplers. This is convenient if you have more than one trailer at home.
- Custom-fit models. AMPLock locks are made for a specific coupler shape: flat lip, no lip, square edge, rolled lip, adjustable head and a few others. The lock follows the shape of the coupler, leaving little room to slip a tool in. The manufacturer machines them from ductile iron and stainless steel. A detail we appreciate: AMPLock is a division of AMP Drummond, a family-owned machining company in Drummondville, where our warehouse is also located, and its locks are machined on site.
The catch with custom-fit locks is that you need the right model. The ball diameter (2 in or 2 5/16 in) is not enough: you also need to look at the shape of the front of the coupler. The AMPLock website offers a short questionnaire to help you find the right one. If you are unsure, take a photo of your coupler from the side; it settles the question much faster than a long description.
The wheel lock: keeping the trailer from rolling
A wheel lock attaches to a wheel and prevents it from turning. Even if someone manages to hitch the trailer, they will not get very far. It is also visible from a distance, often in bright yellow, which makes a thief think twice before even trying.
We stock two formats:
- The adjustable wheel boot. The Trimax 10 to 18 in wheel lock (Ultra-Max TWL100 model) fits almost all 10 to 18 inch wheels and opens up to 14 inches. It is made of steel with an epoxy powder-coat finish, and a plate covers the lug nuts. This means the locked wheel cannot simply be removed and replaced with another one.
- The locking wheel chock. The Trimax wheel lock with a 7.25 in reach (TCL65 model) is placed against the tire like a wheel chock and tightened onto it. Its arms are rubber-coated so they do not mark the rim, and it comes with three keys. It also serves as a chock for a parked trailer.
Before ordering, check the size printed on the sidewall of your tire, then check the actual clearance around the wheel (fender, mud flap, axle).
Which one to choose for your situation
- Trailer unhitched in front of the house or at the cottage. A hitch lock, at a minimum. If the trailer is visible from the street, add a wheel lock.
- Winter storage, several weeks unattended. Both. The Ontario Provincial Police specifically recommends using wheel locks and hitch locks, and even removing the wheels or the hitch when the trailer is not in use.
- Snowmobile or ATV trailer. The trailer and what is on it attract the same thief. The Sûreté du Québec recommends equipping the trailer with an anti-theft device that resists bolt cutters, and chaining the ATV to a fixed object with a padlock that also resists bolt cutters.
- Trailer hitched to the pickup, stop at a restaurant. The trailer is hooked up, but the ball mount is held in the receiver only by a pin. A locking pin (receiver lock) keeps you from finding your pickup without its hitch.
Other habits that help
A lock slows a thief down. These simple steps encourage them to choose another target:
- Park in plain view. The SQ advises parking recreational vehicles in a secure indoor garage or in a well-lit, highly visible outdoor location.
- Choose a proper padlock. A small padlock on a heavy chain is the weak link. See our padlocks section for a model that matches the strength of the chain.
- Keep records. The OPP recommends writing down the trailer's serial number (VIN) and licence plate, keeping photos and engraving a unique number on the frame. If the worst happens, the police will have something to work with.
- Let a neighbour know. Inform a trusted neighbour when you leave. And as the SQ suggests, call the police if you see an unfamiliar vehicle or person lurking in the area.
Our recommendations
For most of our customers, the right combination is simple: a hitch lock that fits your coupler properly, and a wheel lock for storage. Make a habit of installing the hitch lock every time you unhitch, even for an hour.
Also keep the lock keys somewhere other than the glove box of your pickup: if the truck is stolen, the keys go with it.
Not sure which model fits your coupler or your wheel? Write to our customer service team with a photo, and we will review it with you.