JoeRT04
Cape Cod, MA
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Joined: 12/16/2005
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Well, I've decided that I would rather be on the side of doing too much to prevent theft and vandalism while on the road... I think this will bring a peace of mind while on the road.
Today, I bought 4 pad locks for my set up. Two larger locks for the base plate piece and two smaller ones for the pins that hook the toad to the tow bar - similar keyed for each set of two locks.
Originally, I had bought 4 of the larger (same keyed) pad locks but of course I discovered that that particular size was just a bit too large to fit in the holes within the pins themselves. 
I tried out the locks this afternoon. I think I am finding that it is quicker to lock / unlock the locks than to fiddle around with the quick pins. Interesting...
It seems most respondents here do lock their tow bar set ups. 
2012 Aliner Sport
2010 Toyota RAV4 SPORT with 269 HP V6 Tow Package
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mowermech
Billings, MT
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Joined: 06/28/2003
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"It seems most respondents here do lock their tow bar set ups."
Perhaps the lock users are more willing to talk about it than the non-users.
CM1, USN (RET)
2002 Fleetwood Southwind 32V, Ford V10
Toad: 2006 Jeep Rubicon LJ
Other toad: '06 PT Cruiser, Kar Kaddy dolly
Toy: 1977 Dodge W100 CC SWB, 3/4 ton axles & springs
"When seconds count, help is only minutes away!"
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JoeRT04
Cape Cod, MA
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Joined: 12/16/2005
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mowermech wrote:"It seems most respondents here do lock their tow bar set ups."
Perhaps the lock users are more willing to talk about it than the non-users. You could be correct about that.
I made my decision based on the responses to my original topic question here on this forum. $15 for the 4 locks is a small investment to prevent huge problems down the road. That's good enough for me.
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Raymon
Phoenixville, PA
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Joined: 05/09/2006
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Until now, I thought that I was in the minority because I have always locked my tow bar. I lock the tow bar to the MH and I lock the pins that connect the tow bar to the toad's base plate. My Jeep Wrangler, with a soft top, does not use a smart key. I have to leave a key in the ignition to keep the steering wheel unlocked. If I overnight in a parking lot, I always want to be able to leave quickly if there is a problem. Therefore, I leave the key in the ignition which could allow someone to steal my toad if it where not locked to the MH. I am a little concerned about the time it would take to disconnect the toad in an emergency, but I only use two keyed-alike locks in the pins that may only take a small amount of time to unlock. I realize, a real thief will get my toad no matter what I do; however, I have more peace of mind using the locks. Even with the locks, I always inspect the tow bar and toad after each stop.
Ray
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Larry Cohen
Mobile, AL
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Joined: 04/23/2006
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I always padlock my towbar connections...had a Roadmaster that needed 4...all keyed the same....have a BlueOx Aventa II and only need 2 now....it's a nice feeling knowing that no one will tamper with the bar when stopped somewhere, or steal a component from it, leaving you with a non towable toad...some folks worry about disconnecting in a hurry if there's a fire...the way these coaches burn, I dont think I'd want to be working at the rear for very long...and I'd just let er go up too
2006 Mountain Aire 43
Short haired wife, long haired daschund and 3 sugar gliders are co-pilots, along with Garmin Nuvi 855
05 Honda Pilot with Air Force One supplemental brake
Blue Ox Aventa II towbar
Whirlpool Residential Fridge !!!
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wny_pat
Western NYS
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Keyed alike padlocks. And it isn't to keep the car from being stolen. It's to keep the pins from disappearing.
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wny_pat
Western NYS
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Almost lost the hitch on my car using those.
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wny_pat
Western NYS
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docj wrote:I thought it was worth noting that I don't have to remove the key from the toad because I use a "dummy" key that can't start the car. I had a local locksmith make a copy of the key without the "chip" needed to make it work. So anytime the toad is hitched to the MH, the key is in the ignition. One less thing to have to think about.
Me too, but I got mine at the local hardware store. They had blanks in stock and were able to cut them. Only a dollar fifty.
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Bobbo
Wherever I park
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wny_pat wrote:Almost lost the hitch on my car using those.
Could you provide some details?
Bobbo, Linda and the furry kids (1&1/2 German Shepherds)
2007 Winnebago Outlook WF331C on a Ford E450 Super Duty Chassis
2010 Subaru Forester w/BlueOx baseplate & Ready Brute Elite towbar
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wny_pat
Western NYS
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Bobbo wrote:wny_pat wrote:Almost lost the hitch on my car using those.
Could you provide some details? Can't tell you except I found the hitch with about a 1 1/2" to 2" still in the receiver and that pin and clip were missing. Someone may have pulled the clip out, I don't know. Discovered it missing about 35 miles from home.
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