Just got myself a boat trailer and I've been discussing with people the various ways of securing it !! e.g. remove the ball hitch...wheel clamps...remove wheel etc. Anyone got any good advice please? If you use a wheel clamp, which one is best in your experience etc? I know insurance companies only cover you if it's a certain make / type etc.

This site may be a place to start.
securing your camper trailer
Tight Lines

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"The Future's Bright The Future's Wet Fly"

This may seem a bit obvious, but TALK TO YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY!! I did, and found them very helpful. If the insurer themselves are a bit coy about making recommendations, then your broker, if you use one, may be able to help.

I secure mine using a motor cycle lock to the ball hitch.

Although a friend of mine had the wheels and the winch stolen off his while he was out fishing.

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Co-Founder of the S.S.F.D 2010

I can see where using a wheel clamp would be a good idea if you store your boat and trailer in a visible or accessible area at home. Double that with a locking device for the ball that prevents it from being hooked up to a tow vehicle and I'd think you'd discourage the vast majority of thieves.

I'd find it really inconvenient to use a wheel clamp one at the launch site, but I suppose if the theft threat is that bad in your area, then you'd just have to do it. Since trailers are registered and licensed over here in the US, in my area it seems to be enough to protect them by just locking the hitch to the ball. It's fairly hard to get away with selling a stolen trailer because the serial number must be given to get a license and then it's discovered that it's been reported stolen.

The biggest problem that I've heard of is the theft of spare tires. Often times people have these on a spare tire bracket with quick release spin-offs. Problem being that they don't bother to lock the spin offs so it takes about 30 seconds for someone to walk off with the spare. The good news is a $10 padlock prevents this.

I have heard of the occasional theft of winches and other parts, but the thing is how much money and trouble can you go through to try to prevent everything?

That's what insurance is for and if someone has the motivation and opportunity, nothing on earth is going to really stop a prepared and determined thief. There was a case years ago in Chicago of a theft ring that stole high-end mountain bikes by using generic looking vans that had been fitted with a generator and an air compressor to run high speed metal cutting tools. The thieves would literally jump out of the back of the van and like a F1 pit crew they'd use power tools to cut through any lock and then jump back in with the bike. Whole operation took 30 seconds max and since they used false plates and changed vans they stole hundreds of bikes before being caught. I'd think it would be the same with trailers, if they really want steal it, they will, best you can do is make it a more daunting prospect and hope they move on to easier targets.

Grouse