King pin

[Gottogo]

How many use a king pin lock on their fifth wheel when leaving for day trips?

[SuperD]

Originally Posted by Gottogo

How many use a king pin lock on their fifth wheel when leaving for day trips?

I don't have a fifth wheel but I've been RVing a long time. I don't believe I've ever seen a king pin lock except for rigs in storage and then only rarely.

[rynosback]

I do not put one on, but I fulltime in mine. It would take them some time to get it ready to transport. And it would be obvious going down the road with the slides still open. If I ever felt unsafe in a CG I would just move to another one.

[airforceret]

When we had our 5th wheel we always locked the kingpin. Some slides are far easier to defeat and close than others, and if they break in it won't take much to close them either.

It depends on how much you value your belongings if it does get stolen. In the Southwest your 5th wheel can be easily closed up and rolling in less than 5 minutes, and is not likely to ever be found once it is moved to its new remote location.

They are not going to take the time to store everything away before it's rolling so it's not like when you are getting ready to depart. It's quick, it's efficient, and it's usually gone forever!

[GeorgiaHybrid]

It takes about 30 seconds or less with a battery powered cutoff off wheel to defeat a king pin lock. If someone is determined to steal your trailer, they will have one with them.

[airforceret]

Someone cutting off a kingpin lock tends to draw a little more attention and would be far more likely to raise suspicion than someone getting hooked up and departing.

Unless they are targeting a specific rig they are far more likely to take one without a lock, than one with a lock! It's a deterrent.

[SuperD]

Originally Posted by GeorgiaHybrid

It takes about 30 seconds or less with a battery powered cutoff off wheel to defeat a king pin lock. If someone is determined to steal your trailer, they will have one with them.

Probably true but most aren't going to bother, they'll look for an easy grab with no lock.

[mtntrek]

Originally Posted by airforceret

Someone cutting off a kingpin lock tends to draw a little more attention and would be far more likely to raise suspicion than someone getting hooked up and departing.

Unless they are targeting a specific rig they are far more likely to take one without a lock, than one with a lock! It's a deterrent.

Agreed.
Although we do have a pin lock, we seldom use it in our typical CG's while setup. As someone mentioned there would be a fair amount of departure procedure to get done. On very few occasions we've chosen to drop the trailer for a short time somewhere other than a CG. I've used it. Like any type of locking device they tend to only keep honest people from borrowing what isn't theirs or looking for an easier prey.
Conversely one might argue: Well someone is going to steal my vehicle anyway I might as well leave the keys in the ignition to make it easier for them?
Best of luck.

[DonandPatti]

We do use a king pin lock. It is just a part of our set and departure routine.

We use a commercial trailer king pin lock which work pretty well.


Don

[Fulltimer50]

Wouldnt the first thing the insurance co ask after a claim for stolen property: was it locked?

[rynosback]

Originally Posted by Fulltimer50

Wouldnt the first thing the insurance co ask after a claim for stolen property: was it locked?

I would say yes that all of the doors and windows were locked. I would doubt that any insurance company would expect you to buy, install and use every aftermarket part that is made for security.

[mtntrek]

Originally Posted by DonandPatti

We do use a king pin lock. It is just a part of our set and departure routine.
We use a commercial trailer king pin lock which work pretty well.

Don

Like you, it seems like cheap insurance to us. Much like being aware of one's surroundings who wants to play a victim.

Be well.

[mtntrek]

Originally Posted by DonandPatti

We do use a king pin lock. It is just a part of our set and departure routine.

We use a commercial trailer king pin lock which work pretty well.
Don

Like you, it seems like cheap insurance to us. Much like being aware of one's surroundings who wants to play a victim.

Originally Posted by rynosback

I would say yes that all of the doors and windows were locked. I would doubt that any insurance company would expect you to buy, install and use every aftermarket part that is made for security.

Good point.
Ironically, every time I lock any door, hatch, or compartment on a coach I cringe. I think about the flimsy lock assemblies, the universal keys, wondering if all the cylinders are pinned the same etc. How many other folks in this CG use the same key blanks? It doesn't exactly inspire confidence. Our old Travel Supreme at least had a residential kwikset dead-bolt that I was able to re-pin or swap out the cylinder easily.
Be well.

[Travelin' Texans]

If your compartments have the 751 key then probably 65-75% of the other rvs next to you have the same key, which doesn't really matter as with a screwdriver you could open all compartments & the doors quicker than taking the key out of your pocket. Companies have finally changed out the door locks so most are not the same nowadays.
If the rv is broken into it had better have been locked or your insurance is going to say "aw', that's too bad, wish we could help", but I don't think they'd ask about a king pin lock if stolen.
We stay in privately owned parks & folks there are usually very good about watching out. City, state, county campgrounds is where I worry about stuff walking off, they typically draw a different crowd. I call them weekend warriors, they show up hoot/holler/raise a ruckus for a couple days, pack up Sunday afternoon & leave a mess behind, hopefully I haven't offended anyone here.

[rynosback]

Originally Posted by mtntrek

Like you, it seems like cheap insurance to us. Much like being aware of one's surroundings who wants to play a victim.

Good point.
Ironically, every time I lock any door, hatch, or compartment on a coach I cringe. I think about the flimsy lock assemblies, the universal keys, wondering if all the cylinders are pinned the same etc. How many other folks in this CG use the same key blanks? It doesn't exactly inspire confidence. Our old Travel Supreme at least had a residential kwikset dead-bolt that I was able to re-pin or swap out the cylinder easily.
Be well.

The most used key is the CH751 key. But this only opens the:
Power cord locker
Water/dump bay
Bay to the hydraulic controls
Small storage on the RR
The battery bay

You can also replace the CH751 key locks for a round kryptonite style one.
Every other key
The entry door
The three doors to the basement storage
Are a different key.
Bottom line is Locks only keep honest people honest. If someone wants your things, they will break what ever is needed to get it.

[wingnut60]

I don't think there is any clause in my policy that says 'no valid theft claim if RV is not locked'. Is there something like that in there somewhere?

[rynosback]

Originally Posted by wingnut60

I don't think there is any clause in my policy that says 'no valid theft claim if RV is not locked'. Is there something like that in there somewhere?

Not sure, but every policy could be different. The fine print we'll let you know.

[be happy]

When I had my 5th wheel I never used a king pin lock. I did however have the tripod, which made a fast and easy grab and go kind of hard . I also then had a little more stability in the unit.