Strategies For Preventing Trailer Theft

Trailers are popular targets for theft. Many will attempt to steal the cargo from the trailer, though more ambitious thieves may try to steal the trailer along with anything inside it. Luckily, there are steps you can take to help protect your trailer from theft. If you are interested in learning more, check out this guide from Silver Moon Trailers.

Change Your Trailer's Appearance

Most trailer manufacturers opt for functional neutral colors like gray or black, which can make it more difficult to identify the trailer if it gets stolen. Changing your trailer’s appearance is a subtle but effective way to deter thievery. You can choose to use colors branded to your company or bright neon hues. Thieves don’t like the trailer they’re stealing to stand out. If you want to be able to identify your trailer to the police but don’t want to completely repaint it, a sticker or streak of paint in a unique place can also work. 

Storage Techniques

When possible, always store your trailer in a location that can be locked up, such as behind a fence or in a shop or garage. If you can’t lock up your trailer, try to store it somewhere out of sight. If you’re having trouble finding a secure storage location, you can try renting out space in a commercial storage facility.

Parking Techniques

If you have no choice but to park your trailer in a location where it can't be locked away or hidden from view, do what you can to make things as difficult as possible for potential thieves. Parking in well-lit, high-traffic areas can make your trailer a less tempting target. If you have room, reverse your trailer against a wall or fence or park a piece of equipment or another vehicle to make it more difficult to quickly hitch it to a getaway vehicle.

Get Trailer Locks

There are a few different locks that you can use to help protect your trailer against thievery. For example, a hitch lock is normally a two-part lock that goes around your trailer’s coupler. A trailer with a hitch lock cannot be coupled to a different vehicle without removing the lock, making the trailer more difficult to steal. Another great option is a wheel boot. This lock clamps around the wheel so that it can’t move. Not only is it difficult to remove, but it is also a great visual deterrent! If you decide to use a wheel boot, be sure to get one that fully covers the wheel lugs and can’t be sawed off or pried open.