Besides trucks and trailers, I review accessories. I’ve looked for years for the best trailer coupler locks. According to law officers, most trailers get stolen because no locks or cheap locks. Having your trailer stole is only part of the problem. The contents are usually valuable. Like saddles, ATV’s, tools, laptops, guns, backhoes, and more. Then when your trailer gets ripped off, there is the insurance reports, police reports and paying more for your next trailer. Your flatbeds, horse trailers, RV camper, cargo trailers are why you have a truck, isn’t it? This review is about a gooseneck trailer lock, not many of them around until this year. I picked 2 my favorite locks.
Ganderlock I’ve had the longest. It’s an aluminum plug, you take out the coupler tube and stick in the Ganderlock. Ganderlock slides up flush and twisting the lever inside the plug, pushing out the pegs that fit inside where the thru pin goes. Lock it and it’s done. This lock eliminates the set bolts holding the coupler tube in place. This works good for trailers you don’t use often. For trailers you use each week, it’ a pain to pull the coupler tube out of the gooseneck stem. Comes in 4 in round and 4″ square, www.GanderLock.com
The second lock, Altor ICON gooseneck lock, I use, just came out in August. Where I saw it at the National American Trailer Dealers Trailer Show. I’ve used the ICON bumper pull trailer lock for a coupler years now. ICON has an unusual shape, looks like an armored bee hive. With deep ribs surrounding the lock. It has a purpose as it’s a lock that resists power grinders, reciprocating saws, drills and hammers. Like all locks, if you have hours to kill braking it, and many blades and grinder wheels, eventually you’ll break it for all the best locks. ICON took this lock to the “Lock Picking Lawyer” on You Tube. None of his lock picks would open it. He finally had to build a pick. So making the lock that will irritate a thief enough for him to look for another trailer to steal, is the goal. Fits over 38 styles of couplers. The Altor ICON gooseneck lock is the same design. It raps around the coupler caller with a stainless still shaft the goes up into the coupler. Stainless sleeve and a stainless steel plug that hides and protects the lock from weather. The keys are special, manufactured by ICON and all different from any other lock. You get 4 numbered keys so if you need more, ICON can make you more. Keys are important, I remember in olden days, Caterpillar, all the tractors, most of the horse trailers, all had the same key for years. I’ve taken my power grinder and reciprocating saw to the Altor ICON locks, if you have many hours and lots of spare grinder wheels and blades, you might break it just then the police arrive to see what all the racket and cussing is all about. www.AltorLocks.com
