Trailer security at the ramp

[Dave B.]

Just wanted to pass on somethin I 'learned' for all those that trailer your boats.

We all spend alot of money on stuff and that includes security for our stuff.
The trailer left at the ramp all day when we're all out fishin is no different.
Something was brought to my attention that I've never really paid no mind to, is how much it'd cost to replace your trailer, not to mention your whole rig!!

Since I have a long fishin trip coming up, this was discussed with me (a friend) about what happend to a friend of ours.

Normal business, get to the launch, fill up the boat with everything, launch it, park the trailer/truck, get in the boat and go. Simple enough.
End of the day,,, NO trailer on the back of the truck!!!!!! NOW WHAT??!!!??!!

Here's what happend, the theives unscrewed the nut that holds the ball to the draw bar!!! talk about sneaky..... They either jacked up the trailer or just lifted the tounge (pretty light with no boat on it..) and more than likely set the ball into a draw bar connected to their truck. Now, boy dont that smell like low tide!!!!

Needless to say,,, trailer is gone.

Since I heard of this, it got me thinkin... my trailer is a little chunk of change and I'd be pretty bad off not bein able to get the boat back on it (I'd have to pilot the boat to Morehead from Wrightsville to dock it at my uncles).

Anyway,, we spend alot of money on security stuff, and it's great to have locks for the hitch latch and all that, but depending on your rig, trailer and all that, dont over-look the ball to draw bar "weak link".

Until I find a "better way" to secure my complete trailer/truck rig.. I now use the red Loctite thread locker and then once that's cured, I glob'd on Starbrite liquid electric tape (that stuff is a pain to get off 'anything'!)... so hopefully the theives wont spend too much time workin on my stuff if they cant get the hardware loose.

So, just somethin to pass on... we all work hard for what we got and I'd hate to see anyone for that matter get duped for somethin as simple as a tow ball nut.

I've heard that in Fla, they (local theives) will scope out who's pretty much gonna be gone for the day, then pick their targets. They'll take the trailer, then come back with a look out for the boat. When the folks tie up the boat and go to get help or whatever... the theives will back down the ramp with the poor persons own trailer and take the boat!!!!

So word to the wise... dont leave stuff unattended if possible.