If you don’t have a hitch lock, someone else can simply detach your trailer and steal it. Hitch locks are an essential item to prevent or, at least, make it harder for that to happen. 

This article is going to walk you through the topic by showing options available in the market and helping you choose the best.

Imagine you have just bought your brand-new trailer. An additional wagon for work cargo; a special rack to haul motorcycles. Or a big and shiny RV to escape from the city. 

Say you have the necessary driving skills to tow it, and your truck is powerful enough for the task. Think you are ready? Not yet.

What are the parts of a hitch?

First things first. In case you are new to this topic, it is important to do an overview of all the parts of a typical trailer hitch. That will make it easier for you to understand what exactly the hitch lock is, how it looks like and, more importantly, how to find the right one on sale and eventually install it.

• Receiver: Steel structure attached to the car’s rear end, whether on the bumper or on the frame. It comes with a square socket of different sizes where the hitch mount is assembled.
• Towbar: Shaft that is locked in place inside the receiver through a hitch lock pin. Upscale and heavy-duty models have devices to better distribute weight and minimize trailer sway.
• Ball: A metal ball on a post which is the final part on the car’s side of the hitch. The trailer’s coupler is an open socket that you attach to the ball, so it is necessary that their sizes fit.
• Tongue: The trailer’s side of the hitch is simpler. The latter is essentially a V-shaped steel beam that is part of the trailer’s frame. The tip of this tongue has a coupler that connects to the ball, above mentioned. 
• Safety chains: They are usually a part of the tongue. In short, they are a redundant lock that prevents the trailer from disconnecting from the truck in case any of the other parts fails.

What are trailer hitch locks?

They are an additional device you apply to secure the connection between truck and trailer against theft. A trailer hitch lock can only be opened with its key, so it is supposed to resist when someone else tries to break it. While its benefits are quite self-explanatory, we can always break them down:

• The fact that it is easily visible should discourage some thieves from even trying to break it.
• Investing in a hitch lock of a reputable manufacturer is cheaper than replacing your trailer.
• When your trailer is parked, the lock prevents others from attaching it to their own truck.

Now that you understand the basics of trailer hitch locks, we can move to the options in which they are available. While there are many manufacturers and each one offers many types of products, we were able to narrow that variety down to 3 major types of trailer hitch locks for you to get started.

Coupler Hitch Lock

This type is meant to be used when the trailer is parked. It uses a fake hitch ball that occupies the coupler and comes with a U-lock that goes behind the ball in order to keep the lock in place. The goal of this lock type is to make it impossible to attach your trailer’s coupler to any other hitch ball.

Latch Pin Lock

This is the simplest type of trailer hitch locks. You attach it to the latch on the trailer’s tongue so it cannot be lifted unless you open it with its key. In other words, the pin lock prevents someone else from opening the latch. While it is small and cheap, it also looks like the most fragile of those types.

Receiver Hitch Lock

This is an upgraded version of the typical hitch lock pin that comes with the towbar. It may feature locks on one or both ends – in the first case, the opposite end is usually curved or crooked to keep the lock in place. Upscale models also have anti-rattle devices to prevent an extra source of noise.

Hitch Pin Lock

This is a type of pin that slides into the holes of the connection between the towbar and the receiver. This way that connection is not coming apart. 

 

How to choose hitch locks?

The biggest reason why there are different types of hitch locks is that none of them is perfect. They offer comparable levels of protection, sure, but there are other factors we need to consider before making a purchase. This topic is where we show the most important ones for you to keep in mind:

• Compatibility: Receivers, hitches, and locks come in several sizes, so this is the first essential item. If the lock does not fit your trailer’s hitch, it is physically impossible to use it correctly.
• Material: Strongly related to the lock’s durability. Steel locks might be heavier, but they are also more resistant than aluminum ones. Most locks have special finishes against corrosion.
• Security: All locks offer physical resistance to some extent. What really counts here is how complex the locking mechanism is: that is what will slow down or stop someone altogether.
• Versatility: Latch pin and coupler locks often have a universal fit. This is particularly important in case you deal with multiple trailers because it will be easier to lock and unlock them all.
• Visibility: Some locks come in black to blend in with the rest of the equipment, but others come in bright colors such as yellow or red. That is important to visually deter potential thieves.

How to install a hitch lock?

The first step is obvious but necessary: carefully read the installation instructions. Each lock has its specific process, not to mention some have extra functions.

It is essential to be aware of everything the lock does so you will not have surprise problems – or, at least, you will know how to fix them.

While the receiver hitch lock secures the trailer’s connection with the car, the coupler hitch lock will keep it safe when parked. That drastically changes how each one is installed. 

Most important tips:

There are two important pieces of information that you want to consider when installing your hitch load. And these two things have to do with physics and how a load moves at high speeds:

1. It is advised that the trailer should be kept as horizontal as possible when installed. Meaning as parallel to the ground as possible, not slanting down or sloping up.
2. Try your best to keep most of the weight of the load on the front part of the towed load this will help you with stability when in the highway at high speeds.