Security recommendations - Montana Owners Club

Lewynn · 03-02-2021, 07:08 AM

Sorry to have to ask, but I've searched for previous threads and cannot find anything. We just had our new Montana delivered and we previously had a TT, so I don't know what would be a good security device/lock for the hitch/unit? Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated! TIA!

**AZ Traveler** · 03-02-2021, 08:06 AM

Lori,

Have never used anything. I have a capture plate on my rig for a slider hitch. Unless someone disassembled it or had a similar hitch they would be challenged to tow it.

BB_TX · 03-02-2021, 08:11 AM

I use one like this, but only when it is in storage. Never when traveling.

https://www.etrailer.com/King-Pin-Lo...SABEgKpAvD_BwE

Lewynn · 03-02-2021, 08:45 AM

Thanks for the info!!

Lewynn · 03-02-2021, 08:48 AM

Capture plate? Is that something that's standard or an upgrade you've installed to accommodate the hitch you purchased? We're going to have to purchase a hitch as well, so I just want to be sure what to look for. TIA!

**AZ Traveler** · 03-02-2021, 09:19 AM

Lori,

I have a short bed truck. A slider hitch which move forward and back is one way to prevent the rig from hitting the back of the truck cab during a turn that requires the trailer to get near 90 degrees from the truck. There are two types of slider hitches manual and auto. For an auto slider a capture plate is often mounted to the trailer that controls the slide action of the hitch. I have a pullrite auto slider that uses a capture plate.

Long bed trucks generally do not need a slider.

BB_TX · 03-02-2021, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lewynn

.......... Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated! TIA!

In addition to the info given above, I recommend you add your truck and Montana information to your signature so that when you ask a question we will quickly know better how to answer your questions. Notice that mine and AZ Traveler's answers above contain that information.

RickyRobert · 03-02-2021, 09:57 AM

Like BB_TX, I went with the DeadBolt KingPin Lock. Got mine at CampingWorld when they had mailed me a generic coupon for $10 off any item, bringing the price down below $25, https://www.campingworld.com/deadbol...ock-49067.html This replaced a padlock style that someone could remove by breaking the padlock - much less expensive but also much less of a deterrent. I'd recommend to put it on any time that the unit is not connected to the tow vehicle, especially when leaving the rig in the corner of a Walmart or at a campground when you will be away overnight. Lot easier to make the insurance claim if you have one of these attached and it's compromised then to have no safeguard/deterrent.

Lewynn · 03-02-2021, 09:58 AM

Thank you so much for that information! I'll have to look at that hitch!

Lewynn · 03-02-2021, 10:02 AM

I will add my truick and unit to my signature, great tip!

Daryles · 03-02-2021, 10:16 AM

We have a war lok king pin lock
https://war-lok.com/collections/trac...er-cargo-locks
And a GPS tracker
https://tracki.com/
Read too many stories about these things getting stolen. Although most of the stories are of TT getting stolen. Not too many 5ers.
Although with the hydraulic jack system, it should be easy to install a kill switch somewhere to just disable the hydraulics to make it immobile.

BandBmalin · 03-02-2021, 11:13 AM

I'll be honest that at most times, my preference would be to have a non-slider type hitch but my bed is just a bit tight for my comfort there. When it comes to security, AZ Traveler hit the nail on the head regarding the capture plates. I have a Demco autoslide and the capture plate on the trailer has a large piece that fills in the gap on the 5th wheel hitch where the king pin slides into the hitch. When connected, this piece forces the 5th wheel to rotate with the trailer causing it to move towards the back of the truck on turns. I would love to be a fly on the wall if someone with a standard hitch were to hook up and try to steel my fiver. First turn and the trailer would be resting all over the bed of their truck because I'm pretty sure that would snap their hitch in two. Even taking the plate off of mine would take a lot of pounding as it was REALLY tight when I installed it.

twindman · 03-02-2021, 11:55 AM

My first Pullrite slider was in for service at Camping world. They used a standard hitch set up to move it around. Destroyed the thing on the capture plate!

As to theft deterrent, I bought one a couple of years ago - king pin thing with a key built in. Got it AFTER I had to park on the rest area by Breckenridge when my engine turbo hose blew off. It sat there for about 30 hours. After that I thought it would be good to have the lock!!

Dave W · 03-02-2021, 12:06 PM

Subscribing to the KISS principle, I just use bolts with Nyloc nuts to keep the B&W hitch safe. There are very few locks that can't be easily broken with a few love taps with a pretty small hammer. Try that with a Gr 8 bolt and Nyloc nut combo and it just wont break plus how many thieves walk around with a couple 7/16" or 1/2" wrenches. The 5er itself - a length of case hard chain between two wheels and/or around a spring and again those Gr 8 bolts and Nyloc nuts work great. In both cases, a thief will probably go elsewhere where it's easier. You can also wrap the king pin with a piece of chain and that nut-bolt combo too.

phillyg · 03-02-2021, 12:16 PM

I would think the weight of the avg. 5th wheel hitch is an impediment to a casual thief; I never lock mine.

Lewynn · 03-02-2021, 01:15 PM

We actually have a GPS tracker for our equipment trailer and I was considering that for this as well. It's on our 2nd property and if it were home with us I wouldn't worry as much as I work from home, but you can't be too careful..

Camp CA · 03-07-2021, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lewynn

...............I don't know what would be a good security device/lock for the hitch/unit? Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated! TIA!

Ditto BB_TX for king pin box lock. I used one for years. Also had a capture plate for a while which is impossible to steal the trailer unless the thieves know enough to remove it or have a Pullrite slider hitch.

Not aware of any fifth wheel hitch lock short of removing it from the truck bed.

oeeman · 03-07-2021, 01:17 PM

I use the same one as BB TX. light, easy and quick. As you know it will only prevent the quick grab. If someone wants your trailer - they will get it.

Kevin

vipermanden · 03-07-2021, 01:53 PM

I used to have the one recommended above, but since I like to keep my King Pin greased up, to prevent galling between metals, I found I was always getting grease all over me with this open design, so I went with the one linked below. The grease does not get all over you with this one! :-) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Dave and Beta · 03-07-2021, 02:24 PM

I use the Master lock king pin lock. Not cheap, but neither is the rig. Always use it, I disconnect, and lock goes on, everywhere, every time. Just me.

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