I guess it did its job...

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Ok_Tune_5867@reddit

Are you able to get lock off now? Looks pretty bent up

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Ornery_Ads@reddit (OP)

Angle grinder and pry bars...an angle grinder was all they would've needed if they went that way BEFORE bending it up

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SkribbyCakes33@reddit

They probably just tried hooking to it not seeing the lock. My guess is a crime of potential opportunity and not being planned with tools and such.

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observant302@reddit

Its a kingpin lock.

A) someone tried to knock it off by ramming it with a tractor fifth wheel.

B) someone neglected to do a pre trip, and smashed it while trying to hook up

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Commiefornian@reddit

B) someone neglected to do a pre trip, and smashed it while trying to hook up

I have never checked a trailer for a kingpin lock before hooking. Is that really part of your process?

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SeaRow556@reddit

It is to makesure the apron and kingpin ain't damaged.

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Commiefornian@reddit

That’s a good point. I should probably start doing that.

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SeaRow556@reddit

Yeah its actually called the upper coupler plate. Idk why I commonly call it the apron.... don't know where I picked that term up from.

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Ornery_Ads@reddit (OP)

When they are removable (like on most tankers) they are usually called upper coupler, but when they are welded on, they are usually called the apron.

I don't think there is an actual technical distinction though.

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Adventurous-Koala-36@reddit

Ohhh I assumed that’s what it was but I’ve never used one myself so I wasn’t sure

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Ornery_Ads@reddit (OP)

Put a kingpin lock on a trailer I left at a job site for 2 days. Came back to pick it up, and the lock is destroyed... but still on

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Ornery_Ads@reddit (OP)

2 airtags, a smarttag, and a lock. First time someone has touched my trailer without permission (to my knowledge)

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SeaRow556@reddit

Good job! You thought ahead and it paid for itself already.

I use kingpin locks aswell. We have a policy that states we cannot drop trailers anywhere except at approved location (a customer is an appropriate location but not a truck stop for an example) in the rare instance I do drop it for repairs I use a high security kingpin lock. It also prevents people from wrapping a chain around the kingpin lock and taking off with it without removing the lock. I really think people should start taking security more seriously like you have. Thankfully you realize the importance of securing you investments.

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Boatwhistle@reddit

This seems like something a kingpin lock manufacturer would comment.

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SeaRow556@reddit

Would they link to a used kingpin lock though? Bad business if you'd ask me.

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Boatwhistle@reddit

I was just saying that your comment seems like something a kingpin lock manufacturer would comment. It's not a geniune accusation or a prescription. Nor is it meant to be an insult or compliment. It's just the "is-ness" of the vibe I felt so strongly that I was compelled to state it outwardly.

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BenedictCumberdoots@reddit

Link?

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csimonson@reddit

Glad it did its job.

To the guys that say it's better throwing an airline lock on, it takes me 5 minutes to replace a gladhand. Less if I just wanted to make super cheap gladhand adapters with push lock fittings and slice the air line going to the red gladhand.

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Terrible_Try3832@reddit

Feel like sixty seconds with a whiz wheel would put that one out.

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Rikishi6six9nine@reddit

Lol. My company literally never uses those. But at one of our buildings they block the entrance with a trailer over the weekend. Had to move the trailer to get in. Tried to hook and could not get it to move. Then realised they had one of those on the kingpin. Kind of a stupid device IMHO. Hidden from anyone to unexpectedly knock while connecting. Better to lock the airline I'd think.

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Ornery_Ads@reddit (OP)

Most locks have a little flag that hangs down to alert you that there is a lock on the kingpin.
The biggest issue with locking the airline is you could still grab the kingpin. In your example, someone could just drag the blocking trailer out of the way, then go get the unlocked trailers that are in the yard

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Tequila-Karaoke@reddit

I put a small dangling chain from the craft supplies store on mine, to keep idiot me from forgetting to remove the lock. Fortunately, I only bumped it gently! About as hard as my facepalm when I realized why it wasn't latching.

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unloader86@reddit

The thing did what it was supposed to do, thwart someone from trying to steal your trailer.

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Ornery_Ads@reddit (OP)

The fact that someone would try to steal it is the issue.
The trailer is worth so little (in the grand scheme of trailers) and it's so unique, I genuinely don't know what someone would do with it.

I've been leaving trailers at job sites for about 3 years now, and no one has messed with one yet. I was starting to think I was going overboard...this brought me back to reality

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unloader86@reddit

People suck, you were well prepared. Still have your trailer. You should send your picture to the manufacturer of the lock, they might use it in marketing materials, cuz it looks like they really went to work on it.

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Ornery_Ads@reddit (OP)

I think they just tried to hook up to the trailer, then gave up when they couldn't. Everything is just bent back like a fifth wheel tried to line it up to hook, and there's grease all over it.

It took me 1-2 minutes to cut it off with an angle grinder, and another 5 minutes to bend it open enough to get it off...but first I had to first go get the angle grinder and prying equipment

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SeaRow556@reddit

Also is that the CURT brand kingpin lock? Pretty good price considering how it heldup.

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CoolTemperature1602@reddit

For you not doing a proper pre trip and hook up?

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Ornery_Ads@reddit (OP)

I put them on all my trailers when I leave them at work sites. Taking them off is just routine at this point. This is the first time one was tampered with

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CoolTemperature1602@reddit

My bad. You didn't blindly smash into a kin pin lock trying to hook up a trailer.

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Ornery_Ads@reddit (OP)

Someone did (I think), it just wasn't me... this time

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Slapnuts213@reddit

No

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Technical_Lychee_340@reddit

Yup, it did its job and you still have your trailer.

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marauderselegy@reddit

In my year one I got sent to recover a trailer and it had a kingpin lock. So I called the maintenance people and they sent out a service truck who cut the lock off. I was clueless at the time but apparently they just said fuck you to whoever was trying to hold the trailer ransom lol. I had no clue and hooked up and went on my merry way.