It doesn’t take much for a thief to hook up to your camper and drive off with it, especially if you leave the hitch unlocked.

Whether you store your RV in a secure storage facility or leave it unattended at the campground, thieves will find a way to steal what you have. While most RV owners are genuinely honest people, that’s not the case for a lot of people.

There is always someone around that wants what you have worked for, and they will take it if it’s easy to steal.

Fortunately, trailer hitch locks do a great job of deterring a would-be thief from hooking up and driving off with your travel trailer. While nothing is 100% fool-proof, heavy-duty hitch locks provide some piece of mind. So you won’t have to worry about someone stealing your rig.

In this article, we cover the 5 best hitch locks for your travel trailer. And we provide a few key considerations to keep in mind when deciding which hitch lock works best for your needs.

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At A Glance

Best Overall Trailer Hitch Lock – Master Lock Universal Trailer Lock

Best Budget-Friendly Trailer Hitch Lock – Reese TowPower Coupler Lock

Best Universal Fit Hitch Lock – Trimax UMAX100

Most Secure Hitch Lock – Proven Industries Model 2516 Trailer Lock

Best Size-Specific Trailer Hitch Lock – AMPLOCK U-BRP2516 Travel Trailer Coupler Lock

What Is A Trailer Hitch Lock?

A trailer hitch lock is a device that helps secure your trailer to prevent theft. The primary function of a coupler hitch lock is to prevent a thief from gaining access to your travel trailer’s coupler and potentially driving off with your rig.

Things To Consider When Choosing A Trailer Hitch Lock

When choosing the best hitch lock for your camper, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind.

Quality Of Materials

When choosing the best trailer hitch lock for your camper, keep in mind there are two main materials used, aluminum and hardened-steel.

A hardened-steel material is much more durable and harder to cut than aluminum. However, aluminum is more lightweight.

Weather Resistance

A trailer hitch lock will spend the vast majority of its lifespan outdoors. While most hitch locks are specifically designed to handle the elements, some are more weather resistant than others. A lock with a powder-coated finish with withstand the harsh weather and be more resistant to rust than others.

Fit

Not all hitches are the same size. Depending on the size and weight of your travel trailer, you will either have a 2” or a 2 5/16” coupler.

When choosing the best trailer hitch for your needs, choose a universal lock that fits multiple sizes or a lock that is size-specific.

Visibility

A brightly colored or large hitch lock is easy to spot from a distance. This can discourage a potential thief from even attempting to steal your trailer.

Price

Trailer hitch locks are available in a wide variety of prices. You can spend anywhere from $20 all the way up to over $200.

Many trailer hitch locks are extremely affordable and are built with strong, durable materials. In fact, some of these hitches will fall around the $30 – $50 range. Some higher priced hitch locks are more rugged and may include multiple locking mechanisms.

The ultimate decision on price is going to depend on your budget and what level of security you’re looking for.

Types Of Hitch Locks

When considering trailer hitch locks, keep in mind there are three main types of locks, coupler hitch locks, receiver hitch locks, and latch pin locks. Each type of hitch lock has different uses, however, in this article we are focusing on coupler type trailer hitch locks.

Coupler Hitch Locks

A coupler hitch lock is used when you don’t have your travel trailer connected to your tow vehicle. These hitch locks are generally designed with a ball that fits into the tongue of the camper and is secured by a U-shaped bar.

Receiver Hitch Locks

A hitch pin lock slides into the hole where your ball hitch or weight distribution hitch connects to your tow vehicle. This type of hitch lock prevents thieves from disconnecting your entire hitch from your tow vehicle.

A receiver hitch lock can also be used to secure bicycle racks, cargo carriers, or anything else that attaches to your tow vehicle through the receiver hitch.

Latch Pin Locks

A latch pin lock locks the trailer hitch latch in place preventing it from being lifted. These locks are especially useful when towing your travel trailer. Once you have your camper connected to your tow vehicle, simply lock the latch pin to prevent it from lifting while you’re on the road.

5 Best Travel Trailer Hitch Locks

Whether you’re securing a travel trailer, utility trailer, or car dolly, there is a trailer hitch lock that will suit your needs.

1. Best Overall Trailer Hitch Lock

We chose the Master Lock Universal Trailer Hitch Lock for the best overall because of brand recognition, overall construction, and the universal fit.

The bright red color of this hitch lock can be seen from a distance to let would-be thieves know that your travel trailer is protected. In addition, Master Lock designed this hitch lock with an advanced locking mechanism that is designed to resist picking and prying.

For added security, this hitch lock can only be opened using the set of keys that are included. What this means is that Master makes different keys for each individual lock.

This universal trailer hitch lock fits all sizes of trailer couplers, including 1-7/8”, 2”, and 2-5/16”.

The Master Universal Trailer Hitch Lock is durable and corrosion-resistant to withstand the harshest of climates.

Some users have complained that this hitch lock can be a bit loose on smaller couplers and the locking mechanism may freeze in the winter making it difficult to unlock.

2. Best Budget-Friendly Trailer Hitch Lock

If you’re looking for a budget friendly hitch lock for your travel trailer, look no further than the Reese TowPower Coupler Lock.

Not only is this coupler lock affordable and durable, but it also features a bright yellow color that easy recognizable from a distance.

The Reese TowPower Coupler Lock features eleven locking positions and is compatible many coupler sizes, including 1-7/8”, 2”, and the standard 2-5/16” for most travel trailers.

The design of this lock features a U-shaped bar that locks over the top of your trailer tongue. And locking bar is constructed of heavy-duty steel and the body of this hitch lock is made from lightweight aluminum.

Like the Master Lock mentioned above, this trailer hitch lock is resistant to picking, prying, and even drill-outs.

3. Best Universal Fit Trailer Hitch Lock

The Trimax UMAX100 trailer hitch lock is a great option for the best universal fit trailer hitch lock.

The Trimax trailer hitch locks fits coupler sizes 1-7/8”, 2”, and 2-7/16” and features a spring loaded, seven-pin key for maximum security.

This trailer hitch lock also features a lock cover to keep dirt, dust, and grime out of the lock. This makes it easier for the user to lock and unlock over time.

The housing on this high-quality lock is made from a ballistic-grade nylon that is designed to handle impacts and any type of weather.

The rugged locking mechanism is constructed to resist picking, prying, and dill-outs.

One downside of the UMAX100 is the ballistic-grade nylon housing. Many users complain that it feels like a cheap plastic.

4. Most Secure Trailer Hitch Lock

The Proven Industries Model 2516 Trailer Lock is hands down one of the most secure hitch locks on the market. While the price point is high, what you get is a well-made, high quality, easy-to-use hitch lock to secure your travel trailer.

This hitch lock is made from hardened steel and is designed to withstand any abuse a thief could throw at it. This includes hammers, crowbars, and even power tools.

The interior locking mechanism is designed to be virtually impossible to pick. In addition, any lock picking attempted on this hitch lock will be difficult due to the location of the lock.

This particular model hitch lock from Proven Industries is specifically made to fit 2-5/16” trailer couplers, however, the Model 2178 is made to fit most 2” trailer couplers.

5. Best Size-Specific Trailer Hitch Lock

If you are looking for a travel trailer hitch lock that is specifically designed for a 2-5/16” trailer coupler, the AMPLOCK U-BRP2516 is right down your alley.

Although this trailer hitch lock is pricey, it is extremely well built and secure, like the hitch lock mentioned above.

In addition to its innovative, two-piece design, this hitch lock features its own “ball” that fits securely into your trailer coupler. The second piece of the lock is then secured around the neck of the hitch to lock both pieces into place.

The locking mechanism is located on the bottom of the lock which makes it more difficult for a thief to tamper with, but it also may make it more difficult for the user to lock and unlock.

The two pieces of this hitch lock are made with stainless steel and ductile iron for maximum durability and security. Plus, these materials are corrosion and weather resistant so this lock will be around for a while.

Final Thoughts

Travel trailer hitch locks are just one level of security you can add to prevent your rig from being stolen. Nothing is 100% thief-proof, but since these people are looking for a quick, easy score, making it more difficult for them to take what is yours is the key to securing your things.

Travel trailer hitch locks are a visual deterrent and can be very difficult to remove without a key. They also provide you with a little piece of mind knowing that your camper is secure when you leave it unattended.

David Stinson

David is a U.S. Air Force veteran who currently lives on the Texas Gulf Coast with his wonderful wife of 26 years and their two furry companions, Gus and LuLu.
As an outdoor and RV enthusiast, David loves to spend his free time taking road trips and spending as much time as possible at the campground with the family in their 2018 Dutchmen Kodiak 201QB travel trailer