I've owned a boat for most of my adult life. It gets used heavily (1-3x per week) from April to about thanksgiving (depending on when the lakes freeze) so I leave my receiver hitch/rock guard on the truck for the season. It's never on during the winter unless I'm specifically towing.

My problem is that I can't get a receiver hitch lock to last even 1 season. I'm on my second one this year already (went to remove it for a long trip) and this one seized once again and will have to be cut off with an angle grinder. I've tried all of the tricks with lubing the lock cylinder. Graphite (the worst), dry silicone, machine oil, fluid film. You name it, I've tried it and yet the lock cylinder ALWAYS seizes up before the season is over and I have to cut it off. I went with an expensive ($100) stainless (except of the lock cylinder) lock this time - it was installed mid may and now I can't get the key in.

Yes I could go with just a pin, but I'd like to slow down/deter the average tweaker from walking off with the $350 rock guard or $50k boat.

Anyone have a lead on GOOD receiver hitch locks that don't seize from 1 drop of rain and/or general road grime 5 min after they're installed?

Thanks,

Shawn

I've never had a locking one but mine's only on when it's being used, the rest of the time it's stored inside the trunk.

I'm using a Reese lock on mine, and every season when I put dielectric grease on my pins I put a drop in the key and work it a few times.

It's kept the locks free for 2 years now.

I’ve had a Bolt brand lock that you program to your ignition key. Going on 3 years and still working good and I won’t likely ever lose the key!

quote:

Originally posted by cruiser68:
I’ve had a Bolt brand lock that you program to your ignition key. Going on 3 years and still working good and I won’t likely ever lose the key!

I also have a Bolt hitch lock. 4 years old and have never had a problem, plus it is nice not having to keep up with a separate key for it.

Spray breakfree CLP into the lock....I've found it's the absolute best for locks.

This is the only one that lockpickinglawyer said he'd use.



But he still picks it in 1 minute 18 seconds. He also doesn't mention of it lasts more than one season. I enjoy his videos.

quote:

Originally posted by Bluecobra:

quote:

Originally posted by cruiser68:
I’ve had a Bolt brand lock that you program to your ignition key. Going on 3 years and still working good and I won’t likely ever lose the key!

I also have a Bolt hitch lock. 4 years old and have never had a problem, plus it is nice not having to keep up with a separate key for it.

I also have a Bolt. Based on a previous Sigforum thread where our resident locksmiths recommmended Triflow as a lock lubricant, I've been putting Triflow on my house, motorcycle, and truck (including the Bolt) locks every November.

quote:

This is the only one that lockpickinglawyer said he'd use.

Actually just the other day he reviewed this lock. It's not available yet, but you can preorder it. Will probably be expensive.

He’s talking about the lock that keeps the hitch in the receiver.

quote:

Reese lock

also, just had to use WD40 to get it to lock, unlocking is never an issue. Sounds like salt may be your nightmare, try some Aerokroil (I think thats how U spell it) big $ but really good stuff

quote:

Originally posted by cheeze:
He’s talking about the lock that keeps the hitch in the receiver.

Those don't stay on to lock the receiver or else they will only last one season.

I got it now. I do get confused by which part is called what. Sorry for the off-topic banter.

quote:

Originally posted by Skull Leader:
Actually just the other day he reviewed this lock. It's not available yet, but you can preorder it. Will probably be expensive.

Ooh, I didn't see that one yet. Thanks.

 
Bolt.

Sreding, when you splash your boat are you dipping the receiver due to the angle of the ramp? If so the only thing you can do is to remove the lock each time to keep it from getting water inside it.

Even with being a salt water boater I get about 3-4 years out of whatever lock is on the shelf when i need a new one. I will shoot a little wd40 into it every few trips and work it in with the key.

Since you don't remove it all season try puttinga piece of electrical tape cut to fit over the keyhole and then a solid layer of RTV over the keyhole to seal it.

My brother in law is in a similar situation but with his construction trailer. He used a carriage bolt to secure his hitch with one nut to snug it up, then a second nut at the end of the bolt welded in place. He just cuts the bolt off on the rare occasion that he wants to take the hitch off and replaces it. He figured it was less effort and cost than buying new locks and cutting them off every year or so.

1/2" bolt with a Ny-Lock nut.

I always thought that inserts left in the receiver as nothing more then a shin buster. I had to park in large parking lots at work and people would cut through the parked vehicles and an inset sticking out was sure to get somebody sooner or later.

This

quote:

Originally posted by gjgalligan:
I always thought that inserts left in the receiver as nothing more then a shin buster. I had to park in large parking lots at work and people would cut through the parked vehicles and an inset sticking out was sure to get somebody sooner or later.

While I have occasionally hit my shin, I like the rear-end protection. Have had two people rear end me. Destroyed their bumper and not a scratch on mine

Grab a pin version, swap it out on days you go to the launch, then back to the locking once you get home or after you pull the boat out...