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Topic: Trailer hitch advice

Kaz89

via mobile 24/2/2021 at 7:49pm
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Evening. New on here and my first post.
I'm looking at the erde 122/142 or the daxara 127. Has anybody on here got one of these trailers and do they come with a hitch lock? How do you secure them to the vehicle when left in a carpark etc.

billy

25/2/2021 at 12:03am
Location: North Essex
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Hi Kaz. Most reasonably priced box type hitch locks will be suitable. They can be used off the vehicle when the trailer is parked say in your garden & most can also be fitted when hitched up as well.

No lock cannot be breached by a determined thief with tools but they will deter an opportunist thief. I doubt if lock is included with trailer but your selling dealer might chuck one in if you drive a hard bargain.

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The Folding Man

25/2/2021 at 9:40am
Location: Derbyshire
Outfit: Swift Compact C205

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As billy said a determined thief will take the trailer, however,this will assist in stopping an opportunist unhitching it they don't have any tools with them.
Even if you have a sophisticated secure hitch lock fitted what is to stop them unbolting the tow ball from your vehicle (assuming you have a flanged towball and not swan neck)and taking the trailer?

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The Folding Man

Colin21

25/2/2021 at 11:47am
Location: East Herts
Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail

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I have a small general purpose trailer. I can't remember what make it is and it's in my lock-up a couple of streets away, but that has a hole in the hitch through which I slip a small padlock and that prevents anyone lifting the hitch release handle. As others have said though it only prevents the casual thief, it wouldn't prevent anyone with tools from removing it. In my case they probably wouldn't bother anyway, as the trailer can't be worth much. It only cost me £50 some years ago.

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Colin

Kaz89

via mobile 25/2/2021 at 12:07pm
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It will bea detachable swan neck but assume these lock with a key. Its getting fitted next week.

billy

25/2/2021 at 5:20pm
Location: North Essex
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Yes that will be ok. If you are buying trailer from a dealer then get them to supply a hitchlock that can be used coupled or uncoupled. If you are buying it from Halfords then they won’t have much of a selection of locks so go to a caravan shop & buy one there. You can get anything from a box type with padlock for less than £20 to better ones for about £70 or more.

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Francais

25/2/2021 at 5:51pm
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Welcome to the forum Kaz89, most trailers of the type of trailer you describe have a small brass key that inserts into the hitch handle for locking purposes, not the most secure locking mechanism it has to be said, but better than nothing.

Just about everyone that I know who has bought a similar size trailer to the Erde 122/142 Daxara 127, has always later discovered that it was not large enough, and gone onto to buy something larger..

At the time I bought the largest trailer that I could afford which was a 5’ x 4’ at £800 back in 2009 photo in gallery.

My minimum spec for a trailer would be 750kg Gross, 13” Wheels and “A” Frame design.

WeeAlD

via mobile 26/2/2021 at 8:14am
Location: Glasgow
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If worried about leaving the car with trailer attached in a car park while in service areas, one suggestion is to get a brightly coloured motorcycle type chain lock. Secure the trailer to the car towing bracket. This highly visible device will deter the opportunists.

Flat at

26/2/2021 at 9:20am
Location: Foothills of the Pennines (East side)
Outfit: Elddis xplore 302

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Quote: Originally posted by The Folding Man on 25/2/2021
As billy said a determined thief will take the trailer, however,this will assist in stopping an opportunist unhitching it they don't have any tools with them.
Even if you have a sophisticated secure hitch lock fitted what is to stop them unbolting the tow ball from your vehicle (assuming you have a flanged towball and not swan neck)and taking the trailer?

I used to have one of those, one day I forgot that it was fitted and lifted the hitch handle, the lock broke! Although cheap, I think they are a waste of money.

Colin21

26/2/2021 at 10:42am
Location: East Herts
Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail

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Check there's not a hole drilled through the hitch like mine has. A small padlock with a long "U" section slipped through the hole stops the hitch handle being raised, and you can't miss seeing it. Ok, someone with a bolt cropper would have it off in seconds, but it will stop a casual thief, and you can leave it on while you are driving.

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Colin

navver

26/2/2021 at 8:25pm
Location: West country
Outfit: Mondeo

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Personally if there are 2 of us I wouldn't leave it in the car park. We go in one at a time to pee and have the tea/sandwiches by the car.

WeeAlD

via mobile 26/2/2021 at 8:55pm
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Did when overnighting from Scotland to Southampton at Michealwood Services on the M5. Car Park was particularly dark and out trailer then had a soft top secured by shock cord.

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