The Best Trailer Hitch Lock

These 10 trailer hitch locks represent what we believe are the best of the bunch, and thanks to their versatility, we’re sure there’s something here to meet virtually anyone’s towing needs.

With so many options on the market – and so much at stake – choosing the right lock for you can seem like a daunting task. That’s why we’ve taken the time to work through some common questions and concerns that drivers tend to have about these handy products. We hope our buying guide and FAQ will help you find the security solution that works best for you.

Things to Look for When Buying a Trailer Hitch Lock

Exactly what you’ll need from a trailer hitch lock will depend on your individual circumstances. Below we outline some key factors to bear in mind when making this decision.

• Your Vehicle’s Hitch Receiver

The first thing to check when purchasing a hitch lock is, of course, that it will fit your vehicle. Fortunately, these handy devices come in a wide variety of sizes, and we’re sure you’ll find something on our top 10 list to fit your hitch receiver. If in doubt, you might want to choose a universal lock, such as options two and nine on our list. These options are adjustable, and will fit the vast majority of receivers. If you’re also using a drop hitch, make sure to check the size of the new receiver is compatible.

• Style

When selecting a lock, another factor to bear in mind is the style – you have a couple of different styles to choose from: locking hitch pins and trailer coupler locks. Both perform the same function, but in different ways. We’ll discuss these differences in more detail later on.

• Budget

As with any purchase, your budget will also be a consideration. Fortunately, this isn’t much of an issue with trailer locks, since they tend to be inexpensive. It is worth bearing in mind that coupler locks tend to cost a little more than locking hitch pins, however.

• Ease of use

If you tow regularly, chances are you’ll want to use your new lock as often as possible – this means that ease of use is essential. When trying to figure out how easy a lock will be to use, we recommend checking customer feedback if it’s available, since this is the best way to see how the product works in the real world. You should also look out for quick release systems, which tend to speed things up a bit.

• Materials

The best hitch locks tend to be made of a few sturdy materials, which we outline below.

Steel – Steel has the advantage of being strong and durable, like many metals. It’s also inexpensive, and budget-friendly locks tend to take advantage of this to offer you great prices. The main disadvantages of steel are that it’s heavier than some other materials with similar properties, and it’s liable to rust if not treated with a paint or chrome coating.

Aluminum – Aluminum is also strong and durable, but it’s more lightweight than steel, so aluminum locks can be easier to handle. Aluminum also has the advantage of being rust-proof, even without a protective coating.

Rubber – Some locks are partly coated in rubber, or have a rubber-like cap that sits over the locking mechanism itself to keep water and dirt at bay. Rubber is a great option for these purposes since it’s flexible enough to form a tight seal, and durable enough not to rot away itself.

Benefits of Using a Trailer Hitch Lock

Making use of a hitch lock during your towing adventures reaps a whole crop of benefits – below are a selection of the most significant:

• Hitch locks prevent potential thieves from stealing your trailer
• The sight of a lock can be a great theft deterrent
• Hitch locks are an inexpensive form of theft prevention
• Hitch locks are easy to use
• Different types of hitch lock can protect your trailer whether it is attached or decoupled from your towing vehicle
• Hitch locks are small enough to be easily portable

Prevent Trailer Theft

Clearly, hitch locks are a really useful anti-theft device, which anyone can easily use. However, these handy devices aren’t the only way to keep your trailer and its contents safe from would be thieves:

• Consider a Wheel Lock

If you plan to leave your trailer unattended for any length of time, you might want to buy a wheel lock, similar to those placed on illegally parked cars. This acts as a visual deterrent as well as physically preventing your trailer from being towed away.

• Leave your Trailer Empty when Possible

Empty trailers are far less appealing to thieves, so if it makes sense to do so, unload your cargo and stow it somewhere secure when you arrive at your destination.

• Consider Insurance

Trailers can be costly to replace, so if you’re really concerned about theft or damage, insurance could be a great solution.

• Remove a Wheel

If the trailer isn’t going to be used frequently, removing one of its wheels could be a simple, free solution – this way, thieves won’t be able to tow it away.

• GPS Devices

Installing a GPS tracker on your trailer can also counter the effects of theft. A trailer fitted with a tracker can be located by the authorities, making it much more likely that it will be returned to you. The mere possibility of GPS tracking is also a useful deterrent for thieves – one that’s likely to become more ingrained as GPS technology continues to become increasingly affordable.

• Careful Parking

Parking a trailer and buying a home have one thing in common: both are all about location, location, location. If possible, it’s best to park your trailer in a well lit and busy area, as thieves are far less likely to strike when witnesses are about.

• Alarms

Just like cars, trailers can be installed with audible alarms. This type of alarm will usually be cable that attaches the trailer to another item – the towing vehicle, another trailer, or even a nearby tree or pipe – much like a bike lock. When the cable is broken, as it would need to be in any theft attempt, a loud alarm will sound, deterring thieves and letting the neighborhood know about the attempted theft.

Best Trailer Hitch Lock FAQ:

Q: What is a trailer coupler lock?

A: Sometimes known as trailer tongue locks, these are U-shaped locks, which can be placed over the coupler located on your trailer’s tongue. Unlike locking hitch pins, these locks are attached to your trailer when it’s decoupled  from the towing vehicle, preventing potential thieves from hooking up their car and towing away your precious cargo.

They’re a great option if you need to unhitch whatever you’re towing when you reach your destination – for instance, depositing your trailer at a car show before hopping back in your towing vehicle to go and grab a bite to eat. Coupler locks also tend to make great gooseneck trailer locks, since these trailers tend to be larger, so you’re more likely to need to leave them unattended every now and then.

Q: What is a locking hitch pin?

A: As their name suggests, these are simple pins that slide crosswise through the hole on the receiver, connecting it to whatever you’re towing.

The main advantages of these locks is that they tend to be easier to fit, and they can be used on the go.

Q: How to choose the correct size trailer hitch lock?

A: Choosing the correct size is vital when it comes to selecting your trailer hitch lock, which means working out exactly how large the hitch receiver is on your vehicle. Luckily, this is very straightforward to do.

With a tape measure or ruler, measure the height or width of the opening on your car’s receiver – they should be the same, forming a square shaped opening. The most common sizes for hitch receivers are 1-¼” and 2”, both of which are catered to by the options on our list. The smaller size is usually found on passenger cars and small SUVs, while pickup trucks tend to have the larger receiver.

Our Top Pick

For us, the best trailer coupler lock has to be Cocoweb’s heavy duty C-Lock hitch pin. One of the best things about this hitch lock is that it’s easy to install and doesn’t require any drilling. It’s also easy to use. Simply slide the pin in and lock it. It’s designed for use with standard 5/8-inch receivers.

The weather-resistant lock has a rubber cap, which keeps water and dirt out, prevents rust from forming, and prolongs its lifespan. The hitch lock is very secure and features a barbell locking mechanism. There’s also a spare key in case you lose the original, which provides some peace of mind.