Trailer Question from a FIB

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blkhwkbob

Active member
As you can probably imagine, here in the Chicagoland area we lock everything. If we don't lock something, it's because nothing is inside to steal and we would rather the bad guys just look inside without tearing apart our stuff.

I recently upgraded from a clamshell trailer to a hybrid Triton TC 167. It has a man door and the back ramp-door only. I would really like to keep some oil, the spare (I put a lock on it) maybe a small kit with lug wrench, jack and spare marker bulbs, and possibly leave the tie-down bars inside the trailer as much as I can on our trips up north. Overnight and while we are out riding. Is it better to lock up the trailer, just leave it unlocked, or not leave anything in the trailer at all? I do have the upgraded tie down bars, and those I would be very careful with. I just hate putting all that crap in the car all the time. I was hoping the hybrid trailer would alleviate some of that. Let's use the Great Northern in Mercer as a sample lot. What degree of security would one reasonably expect?

Opinions?
 
E

elf

Well-known member
I leave oil and stuff in my trailer all the time but it is locked up. Trailer is locked to my hitch, got padlocks on both front and rear doors, and man door is locked. Can they be cut off? Sure, but hopefully they’ll see somebody else’s unlocked trailer and go for that one instead.
 
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durphee

Well-known member
I have stayed at the Great Northern many times and we have a 24 foot enclosed trailer. The only thing we keep in the trailer is a gallon of oil and the spare tire and our trailer is always unlocked. Honestly, I am a pretty trusting person and I know I’ll get burned someday in the future but we have never had any problems. I do park my sled right outside my bedroom window....a lot of good that will do after closing down the bar there each night. My advice to fellow riders, anything you really care about not getting stolen make sure it is locked up.....at least it makes them work for it.
 
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slimcake

Well-known member
Trust everyone but cut the cards... It's worser in Mercer. I trust peeps in da yoop if I'm out in the sticks. If I'm at the super 8 in Houghton it's locked up or taken inside. Thieves are the devil's hemroids...
 
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mrbb

Well-known member
I think if your worried they will break into your trailer, and thinking of putting things in your car, WHY won;t they break into your car??
same deal
I have had whole trailer stolen, locked up, even had locked chains on it
and bye bye it when over night

if they want something bad enough they will get it, more steps you make them take, maybe the better , or odds they MIGHT go else where, BUT??
Good insurance is where I'm at

My trailers always carried extra things, oils, tool kits, jacks, spare tires and what not's, when riding ALL ramps and doors get locked, (order a dozen mater locks all keyed the same, makes life easier only needing one key)

I also carry a small propane torch in my truck, in case any locks freeze up, rather common issue
also carry bolt cutters in my truck and extra locks?

and I fully agree, better to lock things up and make them work for it, over just leaving things open and or out
unless you don;t like things and want a way out of them < LOL

god insurance and MAKE sure you talk to your agent and make sure you have coverage for everything, add on's and extra crap you carry in trailer

some company's DON"T cover add on's , on sleds OR trailers under a basic policy, some do,
so better ton know before than after!
 
srt20

srt20

Active member
I think the only issues you would have in WI, would be on Silver St in Hurley with a mint Chevy Blazer attached to your trailer.....
 
B

blkhwkbob

Active member
mrbb said:
I think if your worried they will break into your trailer, and thinking of putting things in your car, WHY won;t they break into your car??
same deal
I have had whole trailer stolen, locked up, even had locked chains on it
and bye bye it when over night

if they want something bad enough they will get it, more steps you make them take, maybe the better , or odds they MIGHT go else where, BUT??
Good insurance is where I'm at

My trailers always carried extra things, oils, tool kits, jacks, spare tires and what not's, when riding ALL ramps and doors get locked, (order a dozen mater locks all keyed the same, makes life easier only needing one key)

I also carry a small propane torch in my truck, in case any locks freeze up, rather common issue
also carry bolt cutters in my truck and extra locks?

and I fully agree, better to lock things up and make them work for it, over just leaving things open and or out
unless you don;t like things and want a way out of them < LOL

god insurance and MAKE sure you talk to your agent and make sure you have coverage for everything, add on's and extra crap you carry in trailer

some company's DON"T cover add on's , on sleds OR trailers under a basic policy, some do,
so better ton know before than after!
Click to expand...
The trailer man door is probably a lot easier to get in to than a car door. And they don't always stay together.
 
W

WorkHardPlayHrd

Active member
We lock everything including the pin through the receiver. Is it full proof, no, but like other's say I'm going to make them work for it. Repeating what others say good insurance. You can be stopped to eat and someone walks down the row of sleds at the bar hopeing to get lucky with their key. If you think I'm joking I'm not. It happened last year at Pine Stump north of Newberry. Insure everything! Or make sure it's not worth much to start with.
 
J

J.Glenn

Active member
elf said:
I leave oil and stuff in my trailer all the time but it is locked up. Trailer is locked to my hitch, got padlocks on both front and rear doors, and man door is locked. Can they be cut off? Sure, but hopefully they’ll see somebody else’s unlocked trailer and go for that one instead.
Click to expand...

X2. I have a clamshell but I lock the 4'x4' front door and padlock the opposite corners of the front and back, also keeping it locked to the hitch. At the end of the day, if people want to break in, they'll find a way in. My hope in locking is that it deters them just enough or that someone may see them trying and confront them.
 
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durphee

Well-known member
slimcake said:
Trust everyone but cut the cards... It's worser in Mercer. I trust peeps in da yoop if I'm out in the sticks. If I'm at the super 8 in Houghton it's locked up or taken inside. Thieves are the devil's hemroids...
Click to expand...


"Worser in Mercer!" Ill be saying that all winter now!
 
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mrbb

Well-known member
blkhwkbob said:
The trailer man door is probably a lot easier to get in to than a car door. And they don't always stay together.
Click to expand...
not so sure about that, windows break pretty easy!
if you reaally think a man door is vunerable, you can always add some better set up/pocks to teh INSIDE Of it, to prevent it from opening easy, and just use rear door then

but facts are facts, if they want in, it doesn;t take much to open a soft thin skin trailer period!
and again on a vehicle, glass breaks pretty easy!, MOST all cars have truck openers inside, so things in truck can be gone pretty quick too

GOOD Insurance, gets MY vote, and use locks, won't stop all
as honestly ALL locks do is keep honest folks honest!
crooks??
can do anything! they don't play by the rules!
 
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snoeatr

Member
I don't lock trailer door nor to hitch. I dont take key out of sled at a bar either. Never had a problem. Not saying it will not happen but just do not worry about it. If they get stolen insurance will help get a new one. Its easier to deal with wife if they are stolen vs just I want new.
 
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slimcake

Well-known member
durphee said:
"Worser in Mercer!" Ill be saying that all winter now!
Click to expand...

It's a quote from way back when we were in Bingo's. RIP. It was to early for Hurley and it gets worser towards Mercer. Words to live by my friends!!! Lol. Those were the days!!!
 
L

lincolnwood

Member
slimcake said:
It's a quote from way back when we were in Bingo's. RIP. It was to early for Hurley and it gets worser towards Mercer. Words to live by my friends!!! Lol. Those were the days!!!
Click to expand...

So are you saying that Gene has passed? I knew his wife had passed away a few years back but l hadn't heard anything about him.
Is the bar still open? What a great stop. Like stepping back in time.
 
B

bonnevier

Member
lincolnwood said:
So are you saying that Gene has passed? I knew his wife had passed away a few years back but l hadn't heard anything about him.
Is the bar still open? What a great stop. Like stepping back in time.
Click to expand...

I was thinking the same thing...man I hope he is still around but I know the bar business is tough especially in that remote section of town.
 
1

1fujifilm

Well-known member
blkhwkbob said:
As you can probably imagine, here in the Chicagoland area we lock everything. If we don't lock something, it's because nothing is inside to steal and we would rather the bad guys just look inside without tearing apart our stuff.

I recently upgraded from a clamshell trailer to a hybrid Triton TC 167. It has a man door and the back ramp-door only. I would really like to keep some oil, the spare (I put a lock on it) maybe a small kit with lug wrench, jack and spare marker bulbs, and possibly leave the tie-down bars inside the trailer as much as I can on our trips up north. Overnight and while we are out riding. Is it better to lock up the trailer, just leave it unlocked, or not leave anything in the trailer at all? I do have the upgraded tie down bars, and those I would be very careful with. I just hate putting all that crap in the car all the time. I was hoping the hybrid trailer would alleviate some of that. Let's use the Great Northern in Mercer as a sample lot. What degree of security would one reasonably expect?

Opinions?
Click to expand...

Hi Bob,
Funny thing is, when up north you only need be concerned with other Illinoi thieving.

I transfer things from my trailer to my truck for safety like my $250 sled cover and the ski-tie downs.

Bear
 
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