Ultimate Guide to the Best Hitch Lock: Secure Your RV Travel Trailer in 2024
When Sara and I jumped feet-first into the RV lifestyle, we had so much to learn—like where to store our travel trailer. After hours of searching online, we found a storage yard a few miles from home. However, it’s not the most high-tech place (no security cameras or automatic gate), so finding the best hitch lock was high on our priority list.
As a spreadsheet jockey and accountant, I like to stretch our pennies as far as possible. The last thing I wanted was to slap a cheapo lock on our new camper. But with all the packaging claims, slogans, warranties, and sheer weight of the options, choosing the right lock was no easy task. So, I dug deep into researching the best hitch lock for our Gulfstream Ameri-Lite travel trailer.
Now, we’ll help you avoid the hassle and make sure you pick a lock that keeps your RV safe from even the most determined thief. Let’s dive in and find the best hitch lock for your rig!
TL;DR: Protect Your Travel Trailer
Protect your RV with the best hitch lock to ensure peace of mind while traveling or storing your trailer. Here are our top recommendations:
- Top Choice: Ft. Knox Lock – Heavy-duty, unbeatable protection with a puck lock design.
- Best Budget Pick: Reese Towpower Coupler Lock – Affordable, basic security for lighter theft deterrence.
- Best Receiver Lock: Master Lock Hitch Pin – Handles loads up to 10,000 pounds for ultimate security.
Get your trailer secured and enjoy worry-free travels! Check out the full article for detailed reviews and tips.
Why You Need the Best RV Hitch Lock
Peace of Mind for RV Owners
Finding the best RV hitch lock provides RV owners with peace of mind. Will a hitch lock prevent the most determined thief? No. But, we only need to encourage the thief to target an unlocked camper.
Travel trailers, utility trailers, and boats represent easy targets to thieves because, most of the time, these trailers are stored in places with low traffic. It’s easy for a thief to come into a storage yard, hook-up, and take off. In addition, people come and go from storage yards, so a truck towing a trailer doesn’t look suspicious.
While a trailer hitch lock may not stop all theft, it will make a thief work harder to steal your belongings!
If you’re ever unsure about installing locks or need hands-on help, our Best Mobile RV Service group can connect you with qualified professionals.
Types of Trailer Hitch Locks
Hitch locks come in various types, and I like to think of them as layers of protection for your travel trailer or fifth wheel. Each lock adds an extra barrier, giving you peace of mind.
Coupler Locks
Coupler locks are designed to secure the coupler of your travel trailer, utility trailer, or boat trailer. First of all, once the pin of the coupler lock is in place, the coupler can no longer be raised or lowered, making it impossible to latch onto the hitch ball.
These locks are quick and easy to use, offering a basic but essential level of security for your trailer. Some coupler locks feature a U-shaped design that secures the coupler directly, while others include a hitch ball and a U-shaped bracket that locks down—preventing a thief from hitching their vehicle to your trailer.
The downside is these locks can be defeated by a determined thief with basic tools like a crowbar.
Trailer Tongue Lock
Trailer tongue locks wrap around the tongue of your trailer, preventing anyone from connecting it to another vehicle without first removing the lock. These locks are typically bulky and made from heavy-duty steel for added protection. In addition, many models feature puck-style locks, which are known for being more secure and harder to tamper with.
We’ve used trailer tongue locks on our travel trailer since day one, and they provide us with tremendous peace of mind!
Cable Lock for Added Security
RV owners may want to consider a cable lock for securing essential items like propane tanks, bikes on a rack, or even kayaks. A simple cable lock can give you peace of mind, knowing your gear is secure whether you’re stopped for fuel, staying overnight, or leaving the campsite for an extended adventure.
Pro Tip: We use a simple padlock to secure our propane tanks. By removing the large wing nut that held the tanks in place, I drilled a small hole and added a padlock for extra protection.
A cable lock also works well for securing other valuable items, like a surge protector at the campground!
Hitch Pins and Receiver Locks: Secure Your Investment
Travel trailer and trailer ball mount receivers can be expensive. A weight distribution hitch may cost several hundred dollars, and an adjustable B&W hitch can range from $250 to $400. Protecting these investments is crucial, and locking hitch pins offer a simple, effective solution.
Locking hitch pins slide into the receiver and secure the ball mount to your tow vehicle, preventing easy theft of your valuable gear.
Pro Tip: Always ensure your locking hitch pin is rated for the weight you’re towing. Using a low-grade hitch pin could result in a disaster for both your vehicle and your cargo.
Locking hitch pins are also great for securing bike and kayak racks to your travel trailer or fifth wheel’s receiver hitch. Be sure the pin’s weight rating matches or exceeds the combined weight of the rack and its cargo.
Wheel Locks: Extra Security for Stationary Trailers
When trailers are parked for extended periods, owners often consider using wheel locks for added security. Similarly, we’ve used a wheel lock on our travel trailer to create an extra layer of protection.
Did You Know – When securing your hitch, it’s just as important to maintain the condition of your trailer tires. Read our guide on trailer tires vs car tires to learn the differences and ensure your trailer is ready to roll.
A wheel lock is similar to a boot, clamping around the tire with a flat metal piece that extends toward the ground, making it much harder to move the trailer.
While a wheel lock won’t stop a determined thief completely, it adds enough resistance to make them think twice and potentially choose another target.
Pro Tip: Don’t forget, before securing your RV for the winter, follow our winterization guide to protect your water systems and other essential components.
Apple AirTags: Passive Theft Deterrents for Your RV
Apple AirTags offer a passive way to help deter theft. These small electronic tracking devices notify owners of their last known location. By placing an Air Tag in your RV, travel trailer, fifth wheel, utility trailer, or boat, you can gain peace of mind knowing you’ll be notified if your trailer moves from where it was parked. In case of theft, the Air Tag will share its last location.
What is an Apple Air Tag?
An Apple Air Tag is a small, disc-like device resembling a watch battery. It uses RFID technology to ping nearby iPhones and report its location. If a thief has an iPhone, the Air Tag will track the trailer’s location while it’s in transit.
With around 120 million iPhone users in the U.S., the odds are high that someone with an iPhone will be near your trailer at any given time.
Since Air Tags are passive (they don’t use cellular connections), they’re affordable at under $50 with no ongoing monthly fees.
Along with securing your trailer, regular upkeep is key to avoiding breakdowns on the road. Check out our DIY RV maintenance guide for more tips on keeping your trailer in top shape.
Pro Tip: While securing your trailer, don’t overlook the importance of maintaining your RV batteries. Our RV batteries guide covers essential tips to keep them in optimal condition, ensuring you’re never stranded with a dead battery.
What to Look for in the Best RV Hitch Lock
Ease of Use
The best hitch lock won’t do you much good if it’s too complicated or time-consuming to use. Therefore, we’ve found that a simple hitch lock covering the trailer tongue is the easiest and most straightforward to operate.
Some highly-rated options include Ft. Knox Locks and Proven Industries hitch locks, both of which offer reliable protection.
If your trailer is stored in a secure environment with cameras, you may find a basic coupler lock sufficient. Although these locks can be defeated more easily, if the risk of theft is low, investing in the highest level of protection may not be necessary.
Durability
Since a thief is likely to attack your hitch lock with force, investing in a lock made from heavy-duty materials is critical. When researching locks, many felt solid, but after watching several YouTube reviews, it became clear how easily some could be defeated despite their weight.
Because trailers are typically stored outdoors, a weather-resistant hitch lock is essential for long-term use. A rusty lock can become difficult to operate, and if it’s hard to use, you may be less inclined to rely on it regularly.
Universal Fit
Many hitch locks that cover the trailer tongue are designed for specific coupler styles. It’s important to know which type of coupler your trailer has before making a purchase. Manufacturers often provide excellent resources on their websites or offer phone support to help you choose the correct hitch lock. When spending $200+ on a lock, getting the right one is crucial.
Pro Tip: A hitch lock that works for a travel trailer will typically work for a boat or utility trailer but not for a fifth-wheel trailer.
Unique Key Design
News alert…RV travel trailers and fifth wheels aren’t exactly known for unique key designs! In fact, the keys for your storage compartment—and probably your main door—are often the same as many other RVs at the storage facility or campground.
One of the best features to look for in a hitch lock is a unique key design, which reduces the risk of duplication. Typically, high-quality puck locks for trailer hitches come with unique keys, adding an extra layer of security. On the other hand, if you go for a lower-priced, mass-produced coupler lock, you may not get that same level of uniqueness in the key design.
Price Range
Our goal? Encourage a would-be thief to walk past our camper and target something easier. Even a basic lock is better than no lock at all—deterring thieves starts with having some kind of security in place.
Getting into the RV lifestyle is an investment, and outfitting your travel trailer can feel like stocking a whole new home. Fortunately, there are options for every budget. From basic locks priced under $10 to heavy-duty coupler locks that completely cover the trailer tongue—some of which cost well over $200—you’ve got choices.
Taking the time to evaluate the benefits of each option is a smart move. This will help you make an informed decision about which hitch lock offers the best balance of price and protection for your needs.
Our Top Picks for the Best RV Hitch Locks
Ft. Knox Locks
After extensive research, we chose the Ft. Knox Lock. Made from heavy-duty cold-rolled steel, this lock is bolt-cutter and pry-bar resistant! Ft. Knox uses Trimax puck locks with a hidden shackle design to reduce potential failure points.
We were sold after watching their founder test and defeat other locks, while the Ft. Knox Lock remained unbeatable. This lock delivers the peace of mind we were looking for!
Reese Towpower Coupler Lock
Similar to the Trimax UMax, the Reese Towpower Coupler Lock includes a ball that inserts into the coupler, with a steel bar that clamps around it for extra security.
It’s a very affordable option for securing your camper, but keep in mind, this lock may not withstand a determined thief. For lighter security needs, it’s a good choice.
Master Lock Hitch Pin
The Master Lock Hitch Pin is designed to handle heavy-duty loads up to 10,000 pounds! This affordable and reliable product helps keep your hitch secure when you’re away from your vehicle. It’s a great option for those who want extra security for their setup.
Trimax UMAX Coupler Lock
The Trimax UMax Coupler Lock is an excellent choice for use in a well-secured storage facility. It’s easy to use—just insert the hitch ball into the coupler, and the ratcheting steel strap locks everything securely in place.
This lock fits all hitch sizes, from 1⅞” to 2 5/16”. If your camper is stored in a safe location, this affordable option from Trimax provides solid protection.
Reese Towpower Receiver Locks
The Reese Towpower Receiver Locks are effective at securing your hitch to your tow vehicle. If you need to remove your receiver hitch while at the campground, simply insert the lock pin into place to keep it secure when not in use.
Proven Industries Hitch Lock
The Proven Industries Hitch Lock is a beast in security, covering both the coupler and the trailer tongue, and even securing the safety chains. These locks are constructed from heavy-duty steel and use a puck lock with the keyhole facing downward, making it even harder for thieves to tamper with.
If you want serious protection, the heavy-duty construction of Proven Industries locks makes them a top choice.
How to Install Your RV Hitch Lock
Installing your RV hitch lock is simple with our easy-to-follow guide. Since we chose the Ft. Knox Lock as our top pick, here’s a step-by-step breakdown to get you set up:
How to Install the Ft. Knox Hitch Lock for a Travel Trailer
- Step 1: Insert the key into the coupler lock and unlock it.
- Step 2: Remove the Trimax puck lock from the Ft. Knox Lock housing.
- Step 3: Open the Ft. Knox Lock housing and position it around your trailer’s coupler.
- Step 4: Once it’s properly aligned, close the Ft. Knox Lock around your coupler and reinsert the Trimax puck lock.
- Step 5: Insert the key into the Trimax puck lock, lock it securely, and remove the key.
That’s it! You’ve locked your trailer with a high level of security.
To Remove the Ft. Knox Lock
Simply reverse the steps above to unlock and remove your Ft. Knox hitch lock.
Conclusion: Choose the Best RV Hitch Lock
When Sara and I first stored our travel trailer in a lot with minimal security I was super nervous! Every time we left it there, I worried that our camper might not be waiting for us when we returned. But after doing a deep dive into research and locking it down with the Ft. Knox Lock which is the best hitch lock we could find, I put my mind at ease. We know that our trailer is secure, and that peace of mind is priceless.
Whether you’re storing your RV or parking it at a campground, a high-quality hitch lock will give you the same reassurance. Ultimately, don’t let the fear of theft ruin your travels – protect your trailer with the best RV hitch lock, and get back to enjoying the open road, stress-free!
About Us
We are Mike and Sara, and our kids and dog are exploring the US while camping in our fifth wheel! Since the late 90s we have been exploring the great outdoors one hiking trail at a time. We introduced our kids to hiking while they were young and they love exploring new places. We call Kentucky home and we find ourselves exploring the state parks, national parks, and other wildlands in our area as often as we can!
Our RV camping journey began during the COVID-19 pandemic. Waking up close to the trails we love hiking was enough for us to get hooked on the camping lifestyle! Thanks for following our adventures!
