Trailer tow hitch pin warning

[Reeltime]

I was looking around for different idea's of locking my trailer hitch down and came across video kinda makes ya think ...maybe this could happen, never really seen it go loose like that ...

 

[Tidal Chaos]

Drilled my pin and stuck a grade 8, 1.5"x1/4" bolt in it with a nylock nut, unless you have 2 wrenches same size it isn't so easy for someone to walk off with it and you don't need to worry about the clip pin falling out.

 

[bigbruce]

I use one of these.

http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/class-iii-iv-5-8-in-dogbone-deadbolt-hitch-pin/A-p8290371e

 

[tinboatrobb]

I use a key lock pin and do not worry about the hitch getting stolen.

 

[Reeltime]

I saw those locking pins and i was kinda worried about salt maybe seizing it .. do they hold up . i like that full lock down probably won't
be taking on and off all the time anyways ...

 

[Sir Reel]

I use this kind. You have to squeeze the ends together to rotate the tab. Takes a bit of force too.

https://www.hitchweb.com/product/88/23581/Stainless-12-Hitch-Pin-W-Swivel-Lock

 

[bigbruce]

I saw those locking pins and i was kinda worried about salt maybe seizing it .. do they hold up . i like that full lock down probably won't
be taking on and off all the time anyways ...

You'd be burying the back end of your tow vehicle in the water before the salt would reach the lock, so shouldn't be a problem. Mine had a rubber cap over the lock for protection and held up just fine until I lost the keys and had to cut the thing of with an angle grinder.

 

[GLG]

I had one like this and it failed ..... lost my hitch but not while I was towing my boat.

 

[Sir Reel]

Did the lock at the end fail or the pin itself?

If you leave your hitch on more permanently wouldn't a grade 8 bolt with lock nut on it work best? or a stainless steel bolt?

 

[Tidal Chaos]

Stainless is soft and as the bolt vibrates and spins and is jarred it could shear or become weak; I replace my grade 8 bolt every year at the beginning of the season or when I need to cut it off because it is seized or rust welded together. I have never used a stainless bolt just because they are relatively soft and can shear easier than even a grade 5 bolt. Costs me about a buck when I change it.

 

[GLG]

Did the lock at the end fail or the pin itself?

If you leave your hitch on more permanently wouldn't a grade 8 bolt with lock nut on it work best? or a stainless steel bolt?

I got my hitch back, as it fell off just up the street, but I did not find the pin. I think the lock on the end of the pin rotted out as I had it for over ten years. That is my working theroy at this point.

 

[Reeltime]

You'd be burying the back end of your tow vehicle in the water before the salt would reach the lock, so shouldn't be a problem. Mine had a rubber cap over the lock for protection and held up just fine until I lost the keys and had to cut the thing of with an angle grinder.

I trailer my boat to a lot of different launches so that dead bolt pin is perfect , someone could easily take the draw and trailer and she's gone ..
Brand new trailer problems never worried about it with my old lemon of a trailer ..

Thanks

 

[Aridhol]

I use one of these.

http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/class-iii-iv-5-8-in-dogbone-deadbolt-hitch-pin/A-p8290371e

I've had this exact one for over 5 years. I clean it once a year and slap a bit of green grease (marine grease from CT) on it.
Never had a problem.

 

[tinboatrobb]

I have been using the key lock type for 3 years and never a problem. I put the hitch on and off every time I take the boat out of the driveway, saves the shins......