Vetplant Posted July 10, 2019 Share They could also just undo the bolt holding the ball on? So you should look at that too.You have a keen eye for this level of detail.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longbarn Killer Posted July 10, 2019 Share Quite right. However I thought that adding a padlock will deter the casual thief, the one who carries around the massive M30 spanner (or whatever it is) to unbolt the tow ball will probably have the tools to get the lock off anyway.The one with the massive M30 spanner will find a way to steal irrespective of how fancy your lock is. Then your next best protection against theft is insurance. Edited July 10, 2019 by Longbarn Killer RobertWhitehead 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aluman Posted July 10, 2019 Share The one with the massive M30 spanner will find a way to steal irrespective of how fancy your lock is. Then your next best protection against theft is insurance.Had same pin hitch on my Rav and replaced the pin with a bolt and nut which also stopped it from rattling. Grubscrew 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomo Posted July 10, 2019 Share Searched a while back without luck.Most suggested drilling the hole bigger to accommodate a lock.Never got around to it though ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FondyMig Posted July 10, 2019 Share There's a sturdy bolt underneath the bracket that must be tightened when the towbar is put in place. If you tighten it properly, the skelms can't pull that out without a wrench of sorts to loosen it. Drumboy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RocknRolla Posted July 10, 2019 Share This is becoming a kinda how-to for skelms able to use google... BaGearA 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddy Gordo Posted July 10, 2019 Share Quite right. However I thought that adding a padlock will deter the casual thief, the one who carries around the massive M30 spanner (or whatever it is) to unbolt the tow ball will probably have the tools to get the lock off anyway.To take the towball off will require at 2 spanners one of them at least being a power bar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddy Gordo Posted July 10, 2019 Share https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Plug-and-Play-5-8-inch-Tow-Hitch-Ball-Bar-Lock-Pin-Heavy-Duty-with-Keys/323222014830?hash=item4b41888b6e:g:jN8AAOSwQJxa3a8a Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vetplant Posted July 10, 2019 Share Better idea:Keep your bike inside your vehicle... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddy Gordo Posted July 10, 2019 Share https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Great-Performance-Dual-Bent-Pin-Receiver-Lock-5-8-1-2-Tow-Hitch-Pin-Lock/202283193521?hash=item2f190494b1:g:ErMAAOSwwlZayepk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisF Posted July 10, 2019 Share To take the towball off will require at 2 spanners one of them at least being a power bar. Jip. I have replaced the slider with a bolt and lock-nut on a previous vehicle. You would also need to big spanners to undo that combination. And with the bikes in place it will take some gymnastics to undo the bolts. Anybody willing to go to those extremes will find a way to steal your bikes .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coppi Posted July 10, 2019 Share I also found out that my Thule rack would move / pivot around the ball and tried all sort of remedies thinking that the chrome was the issue as it was too smooth and the rack could not grip properly.........to eventually figure out that the ball is bolted through the L plate and was not tightly secured! Ended up spot welding it! ChrisF and Vetplant 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilipV Posted July 11, 2019 Share I hate removable towbars. Great for offroading, but terrible for mall crawlers like my wife's platkar. One option is to loop a long (proper) cable somewhere through the chassis, and then loop it through the rack and bike and secure it with a proper padlock. That way both the rack and bikes are secured to your chassis. Pure Savage 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grebel Posted July 11, 2019 Share Maybe I am over (or under) thinking this, but for the most part, if you want to steal a bike from a (insert brand name here) rack, the bikes are usually attached with a rubber/plastic strap and if the owner is super diligent then a cable with a padlock. It would probably be easier and quicker to either cut the cable/padlock with bolt cutters or just break the strap and take the bike. Surely removing the tow bar or tow ball is a bit extreme? TBH I haven't heard of anyone having had their bike and rack stolen let alone their towbar. I have enough hassle just carrying my Thule from the car to the garage to hang it up let alone with a bike or three attached to it. But then again that is the logical thought process of a "normal" citizen and not some wunga fueled psychotic bike thief willing to dismantle a car to make a few rand on a bike. FirstV8 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertWhitehead Posted July 11, 2019 Share Here's the train of thought I try to follow: Get an invite to a ride / race - Can I cycle to said meet up for some extra km'sYes / No - YesCycle there and enjoyYes / No - NoDecline the offer and ride on your own . Edited July 11, 2019 by RobertWhitehead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shebeen Posted July 11, 2019 Share This is becoming a kinda how-to for skelms able to use google...I'm thinking the plan is to rock up at bike races with your removable tow bar off. find one with just a "cotter pin" on it like the OP.transfer bike rack+ bikes to your car and put on the removable towbar, and drive off happy days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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