|
|
07-20-2018, 05:21 AM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 5,752
|
Using Locks on Tow Bar
I am about to begin towing four down having bought a new vehicle and previously using a dolly. One thing I have read on this and other forums is people having an issue with someone monkeying around with the tow bar pins while stopped or the tow setup is unattended.
Curious how many have replaced the linch pins with padlocks to prevent this or really how big of an issue is this?
__________________
2015 Tiffin Phaeton 40QBH
2018 Chevrolet Colorado Toad
Roadmaster Tow Setup
|
|
|
|
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!
iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!
|
07-20-2018, 05:31 AM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,881
|
I do mostly short trips and use locking pins. We went to Myrtle Beach last month and stayed overnight in a CG on the way up. I used the locks. If you're going to be stopping for extended periods I'd suggest locks.
__________________
2010 Phaeton 40QTH on a PG Chassis.
2017 Lincoln MKX.
Air Force One brake system and Blue OX Towbar.
|
|
|
07-20-2018, 05:39 AM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,881
|
I also double check the bar connectors and electrical connectors before departing after a stop, locked or not.
__________________
2010 Phaeton 40QTH on a PG Chassis.
2017 Lincoln MKX.
Air Force One brake system and Blue OX Towbar.
|
|
|
07-20-2018, 05:43 AM
|
#4
|
Registered User
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 7,114
|
I don't use a lock. However, I can see a couple the advantages;
1) it should reduce the risk of someone tampering with the pins, And,
2) It adds an extra layer of prevention to keep an improperly installed pin from falling out..
|
|
|
07-20-2018, 05:53 AM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Urbanna, VA
Posts: 1,154
|
We don't use them, but I can certainly appreciate the advantages that Waiter listed. I just don't want another key to keep up with.
|
|
|
07-20-2018, 05:56 AM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Port Dover, Ontario
Posts: 466
|
I understand the use for locks but one winter we were travelling west.
There was brine or salt being used for expected ice.
When we got to Colorado Springs we could not get any of the three locks open.
Good for us the campsite had a set of bolt cutters.
__________________
2009 Monaco Monarch 33SFS...Jeep TJ
Wintering in Apache Junction. Summer in Ontario.
|
|
|
07-20-2018, 06:04 AM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Grasonville, MD -- Golden, CO
Posts: 6,222
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by vettenuts
I am about to begin towing four down having bought a new vehicle and previously using a dolly. One thing I have read on this and other forums is people having an issue with someone monkeying around with the tow bar pins while stopped or the tow setup is unattended.
Curious how many have replaced the linch pins with padlocks to prevent this or really how big of an issue is this?
|
Not needed in My many years of Towing - JMHO, but the monkeys, were likely not far from Home - -
Get yourself into using a Checkoff list or a consistent set up system and it usually keeps the Monkeys at Bay. -
JMHO,
__________________
Busskipper
Location - Grasonville, Maryland - and/or - Superior, Colorado
2005 Travel Supreme 42DS04 - GX470 Toad
|
|
|
07-20-2018, 06:06 AM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,342
|
I use locks for the reasons already mentioned.
__________________
98 Monaco Windsor
2015 Rubicon Toad
|
|
|
07-20-2018, 06:10 AM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
National RV Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: JACKSONVILLE,FL ex Newport Beach,Ca
Posts: 319
|
I lock 8" drop hitch to receiver,lock tow bar to 8" drop and 2 locks on tow pins. Keep locks greases and use covers. I also carry spare tow pins. I do check all at rest areas and after overnight stop. Also check connections. Overkill perhaps but No tow issues. Tom 07 Pacifica.
|
|
|
07-20-2018, 06:49 AM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,818
|
I recently started towing my jeep 4 down. I noticed that the action of the train while towing causes the tow-bar-to- jeep attachment to jack on the hitch pin safety clips and generating some unexpected side loads. In fact, the action is strong enough to bend the pins.
This concerned me enough to where I made some hitch pins out of grade 5 bolts that I think can better tolerate the side loads.
I don't think that I am the only one that is experiencing this problem. I wonder if what I have found (side loads and bent clips) might account for some of the issues we have all read about re: missing clips.
I think that's why the tow bar ends look like this these days:
Instead of like this:
__________________
2001 Alpine Coach 38/8
ACA 2018006
Andy
|
|
|
07-20-2018, 06:54 AM
|
#11
|
Moderator Emeritus
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Southern Indiana
Posts: 19,417
|
We have been using the locking BO pins for last 4 years.
__________________
Steve
2002 Newmar Mountain Aire 4095
|
|
|
07-20-2018, 07:00 AM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Fulltime, USA
Posts: 16,706
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by petrel
We don't use them, but I can certainly appreciate the advantages that Waiter listed. I just don't want another key to keep up with.
|
My locks came in a set. One key fits all, and it’s on my key ring.
I lock em. Let the hoodies choose another rig
|
|
|
07-20-2018, 07:03 AM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Fulltime, USA
Posts: 16,706
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by harris155
I understand the use for locks but one winter we were travelling west.
There was brine or salt being used for expected ice.
When we got to Colorado Springs we could not get any of the three locks open.
Good for us the campsite had a set of bolt cutters.
|
A spray lube fixes/prevents that. I lock em
|
|
|
07-20-2018, 07:24 AM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club Holiday Rambler Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 170
|
Where did you get the locks and did you have to drill out your pins?
__________________
2019 Tiffin Red 33AA
2017 Jeep JKU
KK7KJE
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|