Securing a quad whilst in a trailer

[Selous]

Advice needed regarding quad and trailer security whilst stalking. I will need to take my quad on an open topped trailer to my stalking ground where it will sit in sight of a public road. The trailer hitch doesn’t lock onto the car so I was intending to chain the trailer to the draw bar. How do you good folks secure the quad into the trailer??

 

[deerstalker.308]

Not an ideal situation that!
I park mine behind locked gates and back up the trailer flat to a fence etc so as to make the tailgate harder to access, anyone determined to get it would though I’m sure. Short of putting a hole in the bed of the trailer and chaining it down, not sure! They’d probably just nick the trailer too regardless

 

[Kalahari]

A denver boot on both? Or a chain from the quad towbar round the trailer drawbar and a ball hitch lock?

David.

 

[Uncle f]

I’d seriously consider getting a trailer lock and also something along the lines of a wheel clamp for both vehicle and quad. I would also look to remove the battery terminals on the quad from the battery so it won’t start easily. Although having just re read the post I assume the quad will not be on the trailer while your stalking?

 

[243lee]

Chains and padlocks stop the opertunists, not the ****ers that make a living out of it though who more than likely have a cordless grinder or two in the cab

 

[Selous]

That’s the thing the quad will be on the trailer whilst I’m stalking as it’s only needed for extraction
I think chains and padlocks are probably the most practical method

 

[User00025]

Acouple of GSD's or Pit bulls at the end of the chains may give security.

 

[gixer1]

Cables often compliment chains - they are harder to cut with bolt cutters in some cases.

you can also get a universal hitch lock that will fit over the hitch when attached.

if chaining and cable locking, go through the frame of the quad, the trailer frame and if you can around the chassis of the tow vehicle.

mot will only ever delay thieves but sometimes 20 mins can be the difference between them being successful or caught out.

regards,
Gixer

 

[VSS]

It's never occurred to me to do so.

 

[rms364]

Can’t you ask to leave it at a near by farm whilst stalking and if needed pop back for it?? Assuming there’s one near by....

 

[Free range rob]

How about changing the trailer for a box trailer so it’s not all on show like a beacon

 

[landkeeper]

Just take a wheel off the quad and stash it out of sight in the car

 

[Andy RV]

If you’re going to secure to the trailer you need to put equal attention to securing the trailer to the vehicle, why steal just the quad when you could drive away with the trailer as well!

Build up your security in layers, also seriously consider GPS trackers on both the trailer and quad.

 

[arron]

Or just ride it into the trees before you stalk , out of site out of mind !!

 

[Uncle f]

All of my atvs quads and excavators have ATC trac trackers attached

very good and work both gps and uhf old fashioned radio signal.
you download the app and you can see where each unit is, a history or journeys and you can geofence it to alert you when out of a certain area(s) also it can be set for any movement keys in or not or just for times etc very flexible system

 

[Highfield]

insurance is your best option. Given the situation that you have discribed i think it would be stolen pretty quickley in most areas.

 

[sir-lamp-alot]

As said already take the quad off and stash it out of sight yes you may bump a deer or 2 but which would you rather have

 

[Rusty Gate]

Tarpaulin & bungees are a start. Bring an old pallet witb you & lean it against the the side in view, looks like you off to the tip!

 

[B&W FOX]

We lent an atv to a certain police where the theft levels were high.
It had two trackers fitted, was left on a trailer in a layby, and a wheel was removed from the trailer so it was jacked up on a small scissor jack and a hitch lock fitted.
It lasted 5 hours before the trackers activated. It was recovered by the police being towed by a stolen transit, the occupants had put a caravan wheel on the trailer.
So they now had a stolen transit towing a stolen trailer with a stolen atv on-board.

It doesn't matter what precautions you take if a low life wants it. It will go.

 

[Oldstalker]

Tale from a part of the world the questioner, @srvet knows well:- Before running shoots at U'field and Flass we had a shoot at W'slack. There in the old "E" shaped hunt kennels in the middle leg of the E we kept the shoot kit including the quad' bike. To secure it we cemented a large old bull tether into the floor and a heavy duty chain and padlock over the saddle and frame of the bike. It was nicked. This was reported to the Police who asked us if, rather than claim the insurance straight away, we might give them a few days to get it back to us as they had suspicions as to where it might be. [That would be the westend of M'ca''e then. ] Within 72 hours we had a phonecall asking us to be at the kennels with padlock keys........... An old blue van was driven up in convoy with a Police car and there in the back of the van was our shoot quadbike sitting atop the bull tether, and some remaining cement, still with the padlock and chain holding all together! We unlocked everything and manhandled all out of the van. We then dropped the tether and cement in the hole - of course it fitted perfectly. Everything went back in place along with some rather heavier door locks and security although externally the doors appeared the same. [G*d alone knows how they got everything into the van in the middle of the night]
I think your problem is different; as pointed out by others above little can stop the most determined from taking that which is not their's lawfully BUT obvious heavy duty chains/cables and padlocks are a visible deterrent to the casual/passing tink'/pikey traveller [of whom there are many in your area and seasonally huge numbers]. Speak to "our mutual acquaintance" as I am sure he will have additional advice about siting/hiding transponders to track the machine and if all else fails a load that will enforce deterrence!