Quality receiver lock?
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,563
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Quality receiver lock?
Who makes good quality receiver locks? I would rather spend a little extra $$ and get a good one than buy a cheapie and have it freeze up on me (salty roads in the winter). As in a locking pin to lock a drawbar in the receiver... not a toung lock on a trailer.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Smithers, BC, Canada
My Cheapo Master Lock has held up for two winters now. It is on year around with one of many drawbars.
I am not sure how bad your winters are, but they probably aren't much worse then ours.
I am not sure how bad your winters are, but they probably aren't much worse then ours.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2008
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Hmm. Do you lube the lock mechanism a couple times a month? Mine started sticking so I was lubing it but of all things it froze up inside my solid pintle drawbar. I had a heck of a time getting it out - the bin tore the metal out of the drawbar's hole when it came out (with an air hammer).
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Smithers, BC, Canada
It has a rubber cap over the lock face, and I have nver found any moisture in it to freeze. I do give it a little graphite lube once a year to keep everything moving well (it was recomended to me by an old locksmith that did a bunch of work for my former employer).
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2008
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I can't remember what kind of pin mine was. It had the lock that fits on the end and used a round key. The lock itself was round too, not square or rectangle. I thought it was a pretty good one. It had the rubber cap over the lock mechanism too.
I don't think it was moisture causing it to literally "freeze" in the winter (although it probably did that too) that made it go bad. Maybe the moisture (and salty water) made everything start to corrode.
I don't think it was moisture causing it to literally "freeze" in the winter (although it probably did that too) that made it go bad. Maybe the moisture (and salty water) made everything start to corrode.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Smithers, BC, Canada
That might be where the graphite lube comes in to play, as mine isn't even stiff yet.
Also, it doesn't get opened much durring the winter, as I am generally pulling the same trailer all winter (pulling around the local Snowmobile Association's raffle sled). Come summer, I pull 4-5 different types of trailers and the lock gets opened steady.
Also, it doesn't get opened much durring the winter, as I am generally pulling the same trailer all winter (pulling around the local Snowmobile Association's raffle sled). Come summer, I pull 4-5 different types of trailers and the lock gets opened steady.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2008
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I have the same lock, been in use since Aug. 04 and spent the winters in NH until July 07 when we moved here to AL. The lock was never even touched till we got here in AL and I had to remove the DB for something. Was just starting to get stiff so I sprayed some WD in the mechanism and worked the key for a minute, works as new again.
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Hollywood
A trailer on loan to me had one of those cheap Master locks on it. On one of my more brilliant days, I hitched it to my truck, locked it and proceeded to set the key on my bumper, and head off on a 200 mile trip. To make a long story short, an $8 hack saw from Wal-Mart removed that lock in under 30 seconds.
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Senior User
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A lock only keeps an honest man honest anyway. If a thief wants something they are going to get it no matter what. Besides that is 30 seconds a thief might not want to waste and move on to something else that is not locked. There is NO theft proof lock anywhere, Period.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Hartford, WI
here is a thing I don't like about the locks. I used to own them and even bought a set with matching keys for the ATV trailer, RV, watercraft trailer. Yes, you can maintain it every couple months or be risking issues. I prefer to just buy the cheapo ones that don't lock and be sure that it can come off everytime I need it.
Molon Labe
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,272
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From: Alaska
I like to keep my tri-ball on the truck just incase an SUV driving soccer mom talking on her cell phone doesn't see me stop.
I had a Master straight lock on there, but I had to wrestle with it to get it unlocked. I have a el-cheapo lock on there now, and it works every time.
I had a Master straight lock on there, but I had to wrestle with it to get it unlocked. I have a el-cheapo lock on there now, and it works every time.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Tucson
That sounds like the same pin lock I use. I don't remember the brand name, and it isn't stamped on the lock. I got it at Camping World, primarily because I don't disconnect the load leveling hitch when we are traveling and I would be up a creek without a paddle if someone stole the hitch. We don't have a problem with freezing around here, of course, but the lock takes a beathing from safety chains and so forth. It has a heavy duty chrome plating that is holding up well.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,308
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From: Hartford, WI
I like to keep my tri-ball on the truck just incase an SUV driving soccer mom talking on her cell phone doesn't see me stop.
I had a Master straight lock on there, but I had to wrestle with it to get it unlocked. I have a el-cheapo lock on there now, and it works every time.
I had a Master straight lock on there, but I had to wrestle with it to get it unlocked. I have a el-cheapo lock on there now, and it works every time.
Maybe that lock that you struggled with caused the trans problems. 
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,308
Likes: 250
From: Hartford, WI
That sounds like the same pin lock I use. I don't remember the brand name, and it isn't stamped on the lock. I got it at Camping World, primarily because I don't disconnect the load leveling hitch when we are traveling and I would be up a creek without a paddle if someone stole the hitch. We don't have a problem with freezing around here, of course, but the lock takes a beathing from safety chains and so forth. It has a heavy duty chrome plating that is holding up well.
Valley? http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CDoQ8wIwAA#
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Tucson