Newbies with Hull 693

[justjames]

Greetings!

We're the new owners of Hull 693 and are excited to hit the road. The last few years have allowed a fair amount of tenting and two years of truck camping. The Ollie is a huge upgrade!

We're planning a couple of local shake down runs and then in late summer we plan to head into the northern Rockies and follow the temps south for several weeks.  Next year the plan is Alaska. I have spent several hours on the forum trying to get a quick education but I realize there is much to learn.  My first question is about coupler locks.  What is the current recommendation for securing the coupler while out exploring?

Thanks!

[Katjo]

Congrats and welcome to the Oliver family!

[John Dehne]

Hello and welcome to the family. 
 

If you do a search on this site for hitch locks there is a lot of info. I like the Proven Industry model 2178-B around 280.00.

[rich.dev]

10 minutes ago, John Dehne said:

I like the Proven Industry model 2178-B

James, If you have the 2" bulldog trailer coupler then like John said the Proven Industry model 2178-B, if you have the 2 5/16" bulldog trailer coupler then model 2516-B. The Ollies come standard with the 2" coupler, the 2 5/16" is a optional extra.

[topgun2]

Or - 

You could always go with one of these - 😁

 

[Mike and Carol]

Welcome, James!  Here’s what I use:

I won this at an Oliver rally, seems to work pretty well.

 

I also use these.  This Bulldog collar is used by many owners.  I lock it with an Abus lock, both from Amazon.

[Mountainman198]

I bought a cheap 2"hitch ball, cut off the shaft and secure it in the coupler mouth with a collar and abus lock.  When underway, the collar and abus lock remain in place to lock the coupler to the hitch.

 

[CnC]

We have both the Proven (shown by John Dehne) and the Bulldog lock (shown by Mike & Carol) .  The Proven is very heavy and requires a bit of a head stand to unlock it.  Hence, we use the Bulldog most often 'cause it's just easier to use.

I think leaving RV parks with folks around the Bulldog is my preference.  I think leaving a remote boondocking site the Proven is my preference.

Charlie. 

[justjames]

Wow! Thanks for all the fast responses.

[Guest]

Hello justjames and welcome!

We use the Proven Locks also. I followed a recommendation by AlbertNTerri and ordered the Ft. Knox puck upgrade. It is an impressive lock. Much heavier and more solid than the puck lock that came with the Proven Locks.  In addition, the key is many times more complex. While not cheap, it seems like a worthy purchase, if you opt for the Proven Locks. 

https://ftknoxlocks.com/shop/ols/products/abloy-sentry-cylinder-in-ft-knox-steel-puck-lock-body

Good luck, 

Kirk

[Paul and Santina]

Bought a 2” stainless steel ball bearing and “The Collar” trailer hitch lock for bulldog-style couplers - works great 👍🏼 

[taylor.coyote]

We use the same hitch lock systems and are happy with its function. We like the small size for storage. The down-side is we grease our hitch ball. This results is the 2" locking ball becoming greasy. We wrap the "greasy 2" ball in a small work rag when storing.  

[Steph and Dud B]

We use a Fort Knox lock: Bulldog Sliding Collar Coupler Lock Includes Cobra-Sidewinder puck lock - https://a.co/d/j6wdOhm

Less expensive than the Proven and easy to use. I think the yellow makes it clear there are easier trailers to steal. As a side benefit, the yellow shows up well on my backup camera, allowing me to align the truck easier before hitching.

We're also considering a wheel lock to use in addition to the Fort Knox in more secluded or long-term situations.

[Steph and Dud B]

Incidentally, I also use a heavy duty long shackle padlock to secure my safety chains to each other and to the front basket. That makes it harder for a thief to just wrap the chains around a ball and drag the trailer away.

[justjames]

Thanks for all the input, I decided to go with the Proven.

[Jim and Frances]

Congrats on your Ollie and welcome!!  You might want to check this out...the Lock Picking Lawyer...Like others mentioned above, we went with the Collar with Abus 20 lock (see review of this lock here at timestamp 4:25).  We also insert a ball sans shaft like pictured above.  His voice calms my nerves LOL!

 

 

[MAX Burner]

Welcome justjames!  We recently joined also - Hull #226, we use the Proven Industries coupler lock as well.  Good choice.  

QUESTIONs to the group:  1)  What's an efficient and clean way to keep the Andersen chain assembly off the ground when parked?  and 2) Where does one find the US map of "states travelled" for the forum signature block?

[John E Davies]

46 minutes ago, MAX Burner said:

QUESTIONs to the group:  1)  What's an efficient and clean way to keep the Andersen chain assembly off the ground when parked?  

Two bungee cords, one at the whale tail shackles, and one at the midpoint of the chains. Simply drape them over the tongue. You can keep the rear one in place all the time, even when towing. Use the front one to secure your 7 wire cable to the top of the hitch when towing, to prevent dragging and damage…..

John Davies

Spokane WA

 

[Mountainman198]

47 minutes ago, MAX Burner said:

 What's an efficient and clean way to keep the Andersen chain assembly off the ground when parked? 

I use a bungee cord hooked into the Andersen whale tail pin and wrapped around the Bulldog coupler when parked. 

[Mike and Carol]

2 hours ago, MAX Burner said:

QUESTIONs to the group:  1)  What's an efficient and clean way to keep the Andersen chain assembly off the ground when parked? 

If you don’t want to use bungee’s just swing the whale tale back and rest it on where the cables are fastened to the tongue.  The weight of the chains holds it securely enough.

[MAX Burner]

Thanks!  BTW:  where did you find the US Map for your signature block?

[Mike and Carol]

33 minutes ago, MAX Burner said:

Thanks!  BTW:  where did you find the US Map for your signature block?

I just googled “US map of states visited”, there should be a few to choose from.

[Patriot]

5 minutes ago, Mike and Carol said:

I just googled “US map of states visited”, there should be a few to choose from.

Mike,

You and Carol are running out of map to color in! Good for you!! 😊

Continued safe travels!

David and Kathy

[Mike and Carol]

11 minutes ago, Patriot said:

Mike,

You and Carol are running out of map to color in! Good for you!! 😊

Continued safe travels!

David and Kathy

David, we’re still stuck with 5 states in the lower 48 and Alaska.  I guess we better start knocking them out.  Steve and Tali have hit them all!  Mike

[MAX Burner]

Mike & Carol - duh!  That was easy - thanks again!