Strategies For Preventing Trailer Theft
Trailers are popular targets for would-be thieves, whether they are going after the cargo or trying to steal the trailer itself. It’s important that you take steps to make your trailer less vulnerable to theft and other crimes. If you’re not sure where to start, this guide from the experts at Connecticut Trailers can help.
Change Your Trailer's Appearance
Trailer manufacturers typically paint their trailers neutral colors like black or gray. While these colors are perfectly functional, they also make telling one trailer from another more difficult, something that thieves can take advantage of. You can subtly make your trailer less of a tempting target just by changing up how it looks. Use company-branded colors or neon hues to really make your trailer stand out. If completely repainting your trailer seems like too much money and effort, you can just put a sticker or a few splotches of paint in a unique place for easier identification, though these less obvious methods might not do as much to deter thieves.
Storage Techniques
As brazen as it sounds, some thieves may attempt to hook your trailer up to a car and drive off with it if they see it stored out in the open. That’s why it’s important that you store your trailer in a location that you can lock up, such as behind a fence or in a garage. If no such location is available, try to at least store your trailer somewhere out of sight. If you’re having trouble finding secure storage for your trailer, consider renting space in a storage facility.
Parking Techniques
It’s also important that you park your trailer in a way that will make things difficult for potential thieves, especially if you are forced to leave it unattended and fully visible in a location that you can’t lock down. Well-lit and high-traffic areas are usually safer since thieves know there is a greater chance that they will be seen. If you have room, reverse your trailer against a wall or fence and park something difficult to move (like a vehicle) in front of thhitch to make your trailer more difficult to access.
Get Trailer Locks
Another good way to protect your trailer is with trailer locks. Hitch locks go around your trailer’s coupler, making it impossible for thieves to hook it up to a vehicle without removing the lock. Wheel boots are another great option, as they prevent your trailer from being moved and provide a visual deterrent. However, it is important that you find a wheel boot that fully covers the wheel lugs. Otherwise, the lock might be sawed or pried off.
For more information or to shop our selection of trailers, visit Connecticut Trailers & Powersports in Bolton, Connecticut. We also offer additional services such as rentals, parts ordering, trailer maintenance, and financing. We are proud to serve communities like Springfield, Massachusetts, as well as the Hartford County, Connecticut area. We hope you’ll come to visit us soon!