We are headed down to Gatlinburg this weekend and are staying in a Chalet. The problem is , we want to take our quads and ride on some trails down there. If we take the quads with us, we will have trouble when we leave them at the Chalet and go into town. Should we chain them up some way? Where can you get a super heavy duty chain? Any other ideas?

 

Go to most any hardware store like Lowes, they sell "hardened" chains and padlocks. This is what I use and sometimes more than one. Anything to make it more difficult, you might also try some type of pad lock that goes through your sprocket so they can't roll it off.

 

I use only Kryptonite "New York" locks and chains. These are expensive, but using anything less is tempting fate!! I have 8 bikes and 2 trailers (one open and one enclosed), so I probably have $2,500 invested in locks and chains.

I chain my bikes to the trailer and also to each other. Then I run a U locks through the spokes in the trailer wheels and attach them to a chain that I run through the trailers frame. An NRA sticker on the trailer doesn't hurt either!! I have often left my bikes and trailer unatended (at Glamis!) for long periods of time, with no problems. But, the only ultimate safeguard is insurance.

 

I usually take one wheel of my trailer too. It's a pain, but all the chains and locks in the world won't prevent someone from throwing a rope around your trailer and driving off with it. Even taking the tire off won't prevent it, but it will make a ruckus when they try and pull away!!!

 

Um,I think that if they try to pull it off with one wheel off......they may have a few probs. The cops may find it a little wierd. They've got to make some sorta alarm system for quads.



Icav

 

The chains around the trailer wheel thing works extremely well. The chain is tight enough that they can't just replace the wheels, and all 4 wheels are locked up so they won't get far if they try to drag it away. If they did, you just follow the skid marks to where they gave up and left it!

I leave my trailer in remote areas like this all the time. I have even (not by choice) had to ocasionally leave the open trailer by itself with a quad chained on it. Someone would have hours (or even days when we do an overnight) to TRY to cut the chains or break the locks, but nobody has ever even tried. My point is, that this is a very effective deterent!! No deterent can be 100%, but I think this is as close as you can get. You will need trailer rims that have an open spoke pattern though.

Also, be sure your tow vehicle is secure (A KILL SWITCH!!). Sometimes it is just simpler to steal the whole rig, than try to unload the bikes or detach the trailer.

 

I had 3 cables on my quad when it was taken out of the back of my truck last summer at the Hotel that I was staying at. I found out the had way that the Kryptonite 1/2 in cable is junk. There big chains I think are good, someone said to use aircraft braided wire. It was easier to cut than the 3/8 stell cable that they also cut. If they want it they will take it, all that you will do is slow them up.
Watch how you park and block it is some way if possible. The more chains and cables, the more time it will take them. I now have insurance on the quad.
What about a mean dog?

 

legally, you can not use deadly force (a mean dog) to protect property. If the dog killed someone trying to steal your quad, you would be prosecuted for murder.

 

<< legally, you can not use deadly force (a mean dog) to protect property. If the dog killed someone trying to steal your quad, you would be prosecuted for murder. >>



That's a bunch of $hit! Would it be different if you had no trespassing signs posted I wonder?

You guys just need to remember locks only stop honest people. Most people that steal things aren't honest.

 

In Maine you can use deadly force to &quot;Protect life or property&quot;, just make sure you do good cuz dead people can't sue. I leave my quad in my pick-up, and I ALWAYS back up against a building, light pole, or a friends vehicle (we travel in &quot;packs&quot, that way, no one can open the tailgate. I also replaced one of the bolts in the bed with an &quot;eye&quot; bolt so I have something to hook a chain to.