ways to prevent trailer theft, trailer theft protection, how to prevent trailer theft, how do I prevent trailer theft, trailer theft prevention
Don’t leave your
rig unattended
without using
these proven trailer-
theft-prevention
KENT AND CHARLENE KRONE PHOTO
techniques.
Your trailer is at risk for theft when you park at
trailheads and other isolated areas.
By AUDREy PAVIA
4 Ways to Pre
Trailer Clinic
Every year, horse trailers are stolen
from trailheads, parking lots, driveways,
storage facilities, and other locations.
Thieves strike everything from twohorse
bumper pulls to goosenecks with
living quarters. They simply unhitch the
trailer and attach it to their own towing
vehicle. Here, we’ll give you four ways
to deter trailer theft.
If Your Trailer is Stolen
Call the police. If you have a cell phone with you and can get service, call
9-1-1. The police dispatcher will take your information and immediately notify
law enforcement of your missing trailer. An officer will likely come to you to
fill out a police report or will instruct you to come to the police station once
your horse is cared for.
Arrange for a lift home. Contact a trailer-owning friend to give you and your
horse a lift home. Or, if you have a roadside-assistance plan that covers your horse
and trailer (such as USRider Equestrian Motor Plan), call the company for help.
Call your insurance company. Police-report number in hand, contact your
auto or trailer insurance company. Give the representative your trailer’s VIN,
and provide a complete description of your trailer.
Distribute flyers. Use your trailer photos to run with online notices (such as
those posted on www.netposse.com and www.stolenhorseinternational.com),
and to use on flyers. Distribute the flyers at local tack/feed stores and boarding
stables.
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Personalize your trailer. Person-
1 alize your trailer. Trailers that are
easy to identify are less appealing to
thieves than plain ones, because they’re
easy to spot on the road. USRider suggests
making your trailer visually standout
from the crowd, because thieves
might have a second thought about
taking a trailer that is easily identifiable.
Paint your ranch or farm name/
brand/logo, your horse’s name, a rustic
scene on your trailer; or, paint it a
unique color. you can also apply large,
elaborate decals, reflective stripes,
signs, and murals. .
Invest in security devices.
2 • Hitch locks. These work by making
it impossible for a thief to attach his or
her vehicle to your trailer. The lock fits
into your hitch and is secured with the
turn of a key. The downside to these