Utility Cycling - Need ideas for locking my trailer.

I've got a Burley nomad which I use for shopping and such. I live in a crappy neighborhood and trailers are a prized item so at every stop I have to disconnect the trailer and run a cable lock through the bottom and then into the bike rack.

Is there anyway to lock up the trailer when it's still connected to the bike? What are you guys doing to keep your trailers secure?

I don't have that issue, but you can get some pretty long cables, and it seems like perhaps you could loop one end through part of the trailer and connect the other end to your bicycle lock without having to disconnect your trailer. Or if you simply locked the the trailer to itself in a way that the wheels wouldn't roll, you might discourage theft.

I have a Wike which I tow with an Xtracycle. I pass a cable lock through one of the wheels on the trailer, around one of the frame members on the trailer, and then around the Xtracycle frame's "No Step" on the back.

Prior to the Xtracycle, I passed the cable lock through one wheel on the trailer and then through one frame member on the trailer. Could still be stolen that way, but I figured it'd be darn hard to get real far pushing it on one wheel...

Steve

Rig up a front wheel and a push handle and use it as your shopping cart. Can't get stolen it you are pushing it. :)

I'm looking for a (used craigslist deal) kid hauler bike trailer that has the stroller front wheel for exactly this reason. That way its loaded before I even leave and only have to hook it up and go.

I have a cable with eye loops on each end. One end is wrapped around my trailer frame and the other end around my bike frame and padlocked to itself. It's routed though the hollow hitch arm on my BAW. A similar cable that secures my BOB, is wrapped around the trailer's fork, such it cannot get caught on anything. In either case, the trailer stays locked to my frame whether riding or stopped until I get home. I use a mini U-lock to secure bike frame to a post when I get to where I'm going.

Your answer lies with me, Cars pull trailers, trailers for cars can be locked,so put the trailer tounge on your trailer and hitch on bike, it will always be locked so need to lock it, plus it would work well

How is it locked?

On the tounge of a trailer theres a hole to put a lock through, just buy a combo lock or something and there you go, about something like this, install these parts, besides that odd piece I myself never seen, You get good turning to with these.

http://www.tiedown.com/images/86299-2.jpg

I would purchase two automotive hose clamps that tighten with an attached worm screw (sorry I don't know what to call it).
Put one clamp around the trailer tube near the hitch. Before tightening, use the other clamp held between the first clamp and the trailer tube ( similar to a figure eight but twisted of course). Run a cable lock or a regular lock thru the clamp and the bike.
A thief would have to unscrew the clamp or cut the lock.

On the tounge of a trailer theres a hole to put a lock through, just buy a combo lock or something and there you go, about something like this, install these parts, besides that odd piece I myself never seen, You get good turning to with these.

http://www.tiedown.com/images/86299-2.jpg

Burly bike trailes don't have hitches that look like car hitches and they don't have a hole for a lock.

I would purchase two automotive hose clamps that tighten with an attached worm screw (sorry I don't know what to call it).
Put one clamp around the trailer tube near the hitch. Before tightening, use the other clamp held between the first clamp and the trailer tube ( similar to a figure eight but twisted of course). Run a cable lock or a regular lock thru the clamp and the bike.
A thief would have to unscrew the clamp or cut the lock.

I like the idea but don't you think that hose clamps could easily be cut with something as small as a pair of dykes or tin snips? I think I'll find a welding shop to attach 2 steel hoops to the frame in the same manner that you described. Should be a lot stronger but still be as simple and effective.

I like the idea but don't you think that hose clamps could easily be cut with something as small as a pair of dykes or tin snips? I think I'll find a welding shop to attach 2 steel hoops to the frame in the same manner that you described. Should be a lot stronger but still be as simple and effective.
I agree with your cautiousness. Never underestimate the ingenuity or determination of an Oregon tweaker. :(

Hose clamps can be cut, but its difficult to do so if they are tight and one cannot get the tool inside the clamp. But, other ways may be more secure, especially as it only takes a screw driver to undo a clamp.

I think you should spend more time on the idea of locking your trailer to your bike at the hitch point. Sure, maybe the auto/trailer hitch and receiver lock isn't practical for you, but the idea is sound. It's been done for years. You need to examine your hitch/receiver and determine what you need to do to make it happen. Once it's securely attached to the bike, you'll only need to secure the bike via your normal method. My $.02, YMMV.