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06-25-2009, 05:24 AM
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#1
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Established Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Brampton
Posts: 31
M.O.C. #9293
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hitch security
Hi All,
Finally we're getting ready to roll. Our 2001 3575rl was delivered last Thursday, yesterday we settled on the 1999 Ford 350 Diesel Dually, standard box, used as TV for 5th wheel, very clean, well maintained and low mileage, and it comes with a Husky 20K hitch, while the Montana was delivered with a 16K Reese slider. My concern about the Husky hitch is the lack of a padlock hole to prevent mischief. Original owner had the Husky hitch uncoupled by some twit and had to replace the box, and repair his trailer.
Any recommendations?
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06-25-2009, 02:29 PM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Sunshine
Posts: 1,445
M.O.C. #538
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Just replaced a 16K Reese with a 18K Reese this week (old hitch was bent). I am using the same system I have used for 5 years of full timing. That would be NO lock. JMHO
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06-25-2009, 03:59 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Bakersfield
Posts: 5,316
M.O.C. #15
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I always check (well almost always) when I get ready to tow to simply double check that everything "is as it should be". We've been long timing now for about 5 years and only had one incident. We were at a rest stop in OR and when I checked I saw that a couple of the pins that hold the hitch to the bed had their holding pins missing. Somehow they had worked loose and were laying in the bed of the truck. We were in no danger since the pins were still in place. I simply replaced the holding pins and we've not had a problem since.
I'd just check each time to make sure that everything is OK. There are some 'crazies' out there so we do need to keep checking.
HamRad
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06-25-2009, 05:46 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Haysville
Posts: 4,261
M.O.C. #3085
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Been pulling a fiver for over 15 years ... never used a lock on the hitch. I do have the breakaway cable attached to a carabiner that goes in the lock hole on the hitch arm ... always makes me check the hookup before hitting the road.
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06-25-2009, 06:50 PM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Siloam Springs
Posts: 2,206
M.O.C. #8890
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Slightly enlarged the pin hole on the hitch.
Used a long neck padlock in the pin hole.
I also take the handle off and keep it in the truck.
I use the old lock pin for the handle pin.
This way I can lock my Husky hitch.
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06-26-2009, 11:12 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Murrieta
Posts: 5,816
M.O.C. #9257
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You guys are making me nervous. I should start locking my rig to the hitch when travelling. I haven't had a problem in over 15 years of towing, but now that I have admitted that, I will probably be the next victim.
I have a hitch lock when it is stored at my stick house, why should I stop securing it just because I am travelling? Even better, I actually have a spare long neck padlock sitting around that I can use for this - DOH!
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06-26-2009, 12:20 PM
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#7
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: East Moriches
Posts: 418
M.O.C. #6436
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I'm really paranoid! I drilled out all the the pins that hold the hitch to the bed and the top plate and put small padlocks on all of them. I was affraid some wise kid might pull the pins at night and you know the rest.
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06-28-2009, 04:16 AM
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#8
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Rigby
Posts: 199
M.O.C. #8903
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I got a set of the Reese pin lock plates. They replace the normal retaining clips and are made to have a padlock hooked through the hole in each one. Got 4 padlocks key'd the same and one for the hitch latch, all secure. I'm not so parinoid on the road as I am concerned when the rig is setting here at home. We live in the country and from time to time things disappear.
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06-28-2009, 04:34 AM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2003
Location: New Bern
Posts: 4,295
M.O.C. #311
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I have the pin locks for my Reese hitch and I use a padlock on the locking lever for the pin release. I am concerned about Vandals with too little to do.
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06-28-2009, 07:14 AM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Drexel Hill
Posts: 897
M.O.C. #627
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by H. John Kohl
I have the pin locks for my Reese hitch and I use a padlock on the locking lever for the pin release. I am concerned about Vandals with too little to do.
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I too have the same,makes me feel better having it some what secured.Of course if some one wants it badly enough,they will get it I guess.
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06-28-2009, 07:29 AM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: New Bern
Posts: 4,387
M.O.C. #8728
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We make a point of us both walking around the rig and checking everything every time we stop. It's a good habit to get into. I have the hitch locked but not the pins.
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06-28-2009, 03:41 PM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Sioux Falls
Posts: 729
M.O.C. #3206
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Years ago, we were camping near a metropolitan area. When the weekenders left on Sunday, several units dropped their 5ers on the pickup box. Obviously, vandals were responsible and we have locked our 5er ever since. Don
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06-29-2009, 03:12 PM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Azle
Posts: 615
M.O.C. #9140
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I keep the hitch and hitch pins locked at all times. Not only am I concerned with someone uncoupling the hitch, but also stealing the whole setup when not towing. I also do a walk around when ever we stop for fuel or to rest.
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06-29-2009, 04:13 PM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Oceanside
Posts: 20,028
M.O.C. #20
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It would be very quick and easy for someone to pull the handle when they walk by our hitched up rig and then just walk away. We often remained hitched up when stopping overnight while on the road. And sometimes we make a stop while on the road, into Walmart or a restaurant, for example. I use a padlock to ensure the hitch cannot be released.
I've never had anyone pull the cotter pins or whatever they're called but that could be done, also. However, they'd have to climb up on the rails of the truck bed to reach them when the Montana is attached. I try to remember to check those each time I return to the truck but don't always remember to do that.
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07-10-2009, 10:41 AM
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#15
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Established Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Brampton
Posts: 31
M.O.C. #9293
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Thanks to all who gave advice. I have removed the Husky 20K, and installed the Reese, mainly because it has a locking mechanism.
A request to Husky support did not provide a locking procedure, just the suggestion that I check it each time I stop. When I explained that a brief traffic stop was the cause of a vandal disengaging the hitch, I got no further replies, so if anyone needs a Husky 20K with rails and all hardware please contact me.
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07-10-2009, 12:09 PM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Oceanside
Posts: 20,028
M.O.C. #20
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I'm with you, DJM. Even if I checked the hitch after every stop, which I do, if we were stopped on an uphill and someone pulled the lever, the Montana could slide back down the hill and drop onto the bedrails. My superglide does not have a hole designed for a lock but the hole the handle goes through is large enough I can put a padlock through it. The lever has to be lifted and pulled so the fin on the bottom of the handle clears the hole. The padlock makes it impossible for it to be pulled out. Just peace of mind for me.
Congratulations on the new rig. I hope you get many years of enjoyment from it.
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07-10-2009, 04:19 PM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Murrieta
Posts: 5,816
M.O.C. #9257
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Gee thanks, Steve... more stuff to buy!
And some previous post you were correct in calling them "cotter pins". These are pins that mount into a hole at the end of a larger pin that is used for holding something together. The cotter pin has a large loop and a smaller loop. The smaller loop wraps around the larger pin to prevent it from falling out and the larger loop is for pulling the cotter pin away from the larger holding pin, so that the larger pin can then be removed to unfasten what it was holding down.
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07-10-2009, 05:06 PM
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#18
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Sunshine
Posts: 1,445
M.O.C. #538
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I was taught that Cotter keys (or pins) have a loop on ONE end and two straight legs, one longer than the other. Used to secure the nut holding the wheel bearing on. The hitch pins are called HAIRPINS.
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07-10-2009, 05:49 PM
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#19
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Site Team
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Omaha
Posts: 6,795
M.O.C. #7560
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I just call them safety pins and not the kind you used to use on diapers! I just use them on all my handles and rails on my slider. I'm 6'1" and I have real problems reaching the pins when I put them in or pull them out on the top of the hitch! Can't reach the bottom pins at all unless I get on my belly in the bed. I also have a Bedsaver and that gives me a little more peace of mind also. I also do the walk-around each and every time we stop and leave the unit by itself.
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07-11-2009, 02:45 AM
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#20
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Fayetteville
Posts: 657
M.O.C. #9178
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I use cable ties on the end of the pins securing the hitch to the rails. Not a lock, but just a deterrent as someone would have to get in there and cut the cable ties before pulling out the "pins" securing the pins holding the hitch to the rails.
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