Tow dolly security

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Recently my brother had a tow dolly stolen when the thief cut the lock off of the hitch and drove away with it. Now my brother purchased another tow dolly and has asked me to "weld something up" that will keep this dolly where it's supposed to be.He had one idea..........to cut the hitch off and keep in inside his office. When it came time to use it he would insert a heavy tube "inside" the existing dolly tube and bolt or pin it all back together.  I told him I didn't feel good about the extra connections on the hitch where the system could fail. We think the best idea would be to weld up some sort of contraption that would lock around the hitch that could easily be unlocked and removed and also make it impossible to get a bolt cutter on the lock.One other idea may be to build some sort of "car boot" like the big cities use when they want to lock up your car until they can tow it away.I'm after any ideas that would be easy on and easy off.........or any other ideas you guys may have.Thanks in advance....Timmer
Reply:I would say do what I did.  I took the ball hitch off and welded on a pintle hook.  I then made a plate with a 1 1/2 solid stock welded to it with a hole on the other end.  Then a second plate with hole to cover bottom of pintle and a big lock.  Most people see the pintle and ask what is it.  That helps due to most trucks only have a ball hitch.  So they can not attach it to pull.I am tired of Ketchup, I want the Gravy...
Reply:That somewhat depends on the area where he keeps it. Here's a novel idea; have a hinged 'leg' which angles downward and forward when locked  in the "secure" position but can be locked up too for on the road. Weld a thick pin in as the hinge and have the lock inside where it's hard to reach and have the leg long enough that the dolly will tip backwards enough so that hooking the dolly up would be hard to do unless the leg is locked up. Don't want your brother to accidentally forget himself.This would obviously be towards the front but underneath....and some variations might be useful if this is a constant problem...make things strong enough to pull the back off the truck when it deploys, in those particular instances.
Reply:Simple things often work the best. Take the tires off. It's what's commonly done with mixers on site.You could build some sort of "boot" to go over the tire/wheel as another option.No matter what you do however if someone want's it bad enough, they'll go thru the trouble to get it..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:i know they make trailer tire lock systems my inlaws have one on their boat it works great  basicly you take off a lug nut put the adapter on the stud put lug nut back on then insert the pin/j hook with built in lock and they cant get to it then n9ot unless they use a torch just google it should be able to find one good luck or just hook up an electric fence to it lolLincoln Pro Core 125Lincolin sp 100Miller Big 40Lincoln Idealarc SP250miller matic 212http://www.facebook.com/hdwelding?sk=wallwww.hdweldingbeds.com
Reply:My utility trailer sits in my backyard most of the time.I have one of these on the hitch;Got mine at Canadian Tire, it's a Reese product and should be widely available.It's secure on there but I still use a locking pin on the trailer hitch mechanism as well;Then I loop the safety chains around a post on my back deck and padlock them together.Lastly, if we're going to be away for a day or two, I'll park my truck (we usually take Mrs. Hardware's SUV) between the house and garage, which physically blocks off the area where the trailer is stored.  You can walk back there but the trailer will not fit and there's no other pathway through which the trailer can easily be hauled out.If we're going to be away longer than a day or two, I move the trailer into my garage.  I position it just inside the overhead door, cutting off the ATV and motorcycles (so they can't be rolled out through the pedestrian door) and park my truck outside close to the overhead door.Is it 100% infallible?  No, but if someone really wants my trailer they're going to need to bring some cutting tools and they're going to have to haul it through dense forest or through a pond.  It'd be way easier to steal the 3-4 trailers sitting accessible in various driveways on my street.Last edited by Hardware; 01-05-2012 at 07:01 AM."These instructions are at our present level ofknowledge. Legal requirements do not exist.Technical issues subject to change."_________________________________________Lincoln MIG PAK 180Lincoln AC-225
Reply:Maybe a steel box that encases the entire hitch assembly? Then put a big Master lock on it! And lasers. lots and lots of lasers! -Alex-AlexSears/Craftsman 230A Buzzy BoxSears/Craftsman 180A Buzzy BoxChicago Electric 80A InverterALL STICK...ALL THE TIME!I spent a lot of time with the square peg and round hole.
Reply:If somebody wants your stuff, it will be gone.  No way around that.  None on the things mentioned would prevent it being loaded on a trailer or hooked to a wrecker.  Don't get carried away theft-proofing the thing.  Put a good ball lock on it, like hardware shows.  Then you put a GPS tracker, like lojack, on it.  I have one on everything I own, even my toolbox.  Make sure your insurance is up to date, and check with your agent about theft coverage.  See what discounts they have available for added anti-theft devices being installed.I always try to keep things in a building or behind a fence, preferably with video surveillance. Originally Posted by SundownIIIDon't get me wrong.  They are just as ill informed about politics as they are about welding, they just post more on that subject.
Reply:I have to agree with JMT on this one. there is no such thing as theft proofing, just theft deterants. if you've got a way to get it open, so do they. you just want to make it just hard enough that their not willing to put the effort in to working on getting the locking device off, when they could just be taking the one down the street that is easy to get too.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:I've heard about thieves here ignoring hitch locks, wrapping some chain around the hitch, connecting that to their truck, and going.  Why cut the lock.The tire boot (or removing the tires) seems like a good idea.Another I've heard, is to make some solid anchor point on the ground, and tie the tongue down with a U lock to that anchor.
Reply:Originally Posted by rlitmanI've heard about thieves here ignoring hitch locks, wrapping some chain around the hitch, connecting that to their truck, and going.  Why cut the lock.The tire boot (or removing the tires) seems like a good idea.Another I've heard, is to make some solid anchor point on the ground, and tie the tongue down with a U lock to that anchor.
Reply:http://www.etrailer.com/Locks/Master-Lock/378DAT.htmlThis will significantly slow them down
Reply:in the end it always comes back the age old saying that is probably as old as locks: " locks just keep honest people honest".                                     MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:I have the same Reese lock on my trailer as Hardware shows, it is well worth the money, next on the list to buy is a wheel boot clamp for when I need to leave it overnight onsite.  Northern sells them.  We used to run log chains through the rims and around the frame.  That works well, also adds humor in the early morning when your buddy forgets about them!!  During the work week I live in Norfolk VA and it is not the most up and coming neighborhood.... The one thing I have noticed is that if a low life has to spend more than a minute or two they tend to move on.
Reply:Here is what we came up with. All made from pieces and parts laying around the shop. It's got a plate welded on the bottom of the post so anyone wanting to dig it up will have to move alot of dirt (and possibly some other hidden secrets). The top half pipe pivots off of the regular ball hitch. You need a specific tool to unlock the pivot. The dolly hitch has the normal lock holding it to the ball. You can't get to the lock without moving the pivoting pipe. They may be able to take it......but they will be there awhile and have to bring bigger tools than they had last time. And now the area is covered by a motion sensor. Attached Images
Reply:I'd love you to send me the design PM. VERY well thought out.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:I would love to have that design as well, I have two trailers that I would like to secure.   Thanks in advance.Lincoln AC225 Stick WelderSolar 2175 MIG Welder
Reply:Here is what i've been using; First one is for when the trailer is parked. The second is for when you have it hooked to your truck. I loaned a trailer to a co worker and it was stolen from in front of house while hooked to his truck. He parked, went inside, and came back out and it was gone, all of 10 mins. Attached Images
Reply:TimmerI would also like to see your plans for your design.
Reply:I will make up a pencil sketch, scan it, and post it in the next couple of days. It's pretty easy to make. The hard part was digging the hole.The great thing about this unit is I can dig it up with a backhoe and move it to a different location if I ever need to.Thanks for all the comments and photos!