How Theft-Proof is the etraiiler.com Coupler Lock # e98888

Question:

Im looking at these kind of locks but I wonder how easy they are to just cut with bolt cutters? Im looking to secure my boat trailer while Im on the water without spending a lot of money. Thanks

asked by: Darryl

Expert Reply:

Locks are for keeping honest folks honest, just about any lock can eventually be defeated if the crook is determined enough. The lock you mention, part # e98888, provides what I would call minimal deterrence against theft. If there are two identical boat trailers parked side by side, one using the # e98888 lock, and the other unlocked, the lock will do its job and deter the crook from taking your trailer.

One quick snip with some bolt cutters, and the lock will be defeated, but the thief would rather not have everybody at the boat ramp parking lot watching him remove your lock.

So, how much deterrence do you want to provide? If you are using a crowded boat ramp that will pretty much always have folks hanging around, the minimal protection offered by the # e98888 would most likely be plenty. At the other end of the spectrum, if you were using a boat ramp that was completely isolated, and you were planning on leaving the trailer unattended for an extended period of time, something like the Curt Coupler Lock # C23088 would be a much better choice.

A happy medium like the Fastway Universal Coupler Lock, part # FA86-0015-316 would be the perfect choice for most. This lock supplies an elevated level of deterrence at a relatively low cost. It also can be ordered with multiple keys the same.

The idea is to provide enough deterrence so that the thief will move on to a trailer that is easier to steal.