While there’s no such thing as a perfect lock in our imperfect world, there are rock-solid locks available that keep amateur and petty thieves out of our trailers.
I’ve put together a real treat of a list here loaded with the best locks for trailer doors. Even the experts will have trouble breaking through these bad boys.
First, there are several factors to consider when choosing the best lock for your trailer door:
- Desired/required level of security
- Corrosion/weather resistance
- Shackle material, location, and width
- Type of metal body and other parts
- Your hasp size/type
- Pick, drill, pry/pull, and cut resistance
- Ball-bearing locking pawls
- Lock parts (shroud, core, anti-drill plate, etc.)
- Keys
Now, let’s check out the locks.
#1) Blaylock American Metal DL-80 Coupler Lock
This aircraft-grade lightweight aluminum lock by Blaylock is heavy-duty and a great choice for securing your lock rod handle. It’s compatible with both horizontal and vertical lock rods.
Features
- Fully-enclosed
- Pull-pin ring for easy installation and removal (designed to break away if pried)
- Recessed tumbler
- Push-button lock
- Inner gasket for noise reduction/reduce rattling
- Made in the USA
- Comes with two keys
- Dimensions: 3″ Long x 6″ Wide x 9″ Tall
- Weight: 1.5 lbs
#2) Mul-T-Lock TR 100 “Hockey Puck” Padlock
The Mul-T-Lock Padlock aka “Hockey Puck” is the best puck lock available and an upgrade over the Blaylock. It provides the ultimate pick and drill resistance and is nearly impossible for a thieve to break with brute force alone. The new generation puck offers a higher-security unique Interactive Keyway.
Features
- Hardened steel bolt and body
- High-precision pin tumbler system
- Includes 2 keys and 1 Control Card needed for extra cut keys
- Interactive Keyway
- Weight: 1.8 lbs
#3) Stanley Shrouded Hardened Steel Padlock
For those of you who are on a budget or don’t require a higher level of security, this shrouded hardened steel padlock by Stanley will get the job done. It comes in two sizes: 50mm and 60mm in width. In terms of getting the most bang for your buck, the feature to price ratio is solid for this lock.
Features
- ASTM security grade 5
- Fully shrouded hardened steel body
- Molybdenum cut-resistant steel shackle
- Dual stainless steel ball bearings for protection against pry attacks
- Commercial-grade 6-pin tumbler w/ anti-pick pins
- Patented anti-drill keyway cover
- Removable cylinder to key alike or re-key
#4) ABUS 37/80 Granit Alloy Steel Padlock
The Granit Padlock by ABUS is perhaps the most secure padlock currently available. These German-made locks are no joke when it comes to securing your trailer door. A common thief has no chance of getting through this padlock. Only an expert with specialized tools and enough time could break through an ABUS Granit lock.
Features
- 25,000lb tensile strength
- 65 Rockwell core-hardened shackle and body
- Granit™ coating for ultimate corrosion resistance
- ABUS 7 cylinder
- Rekeyable (keys have built-in light)
- Key-retaining
- Top-inserted cylinder provides added drill and pull resistance
- Hardened steel bottom plate
- Shackle diameter: 9/16″
- Shackle horizontal clearance: 13/16″
- Shackle vertical clearance: 13/16″
The Granit padlock requires two cuts to break it.
#5) Medeco M3 5/16″ Shrouded Boron Padlock
I couldn’t resist adding one of the most secure padlocks in the world that costs only slightly more than the ABUS Granit lock above.
When it comes to picking resistance, this is the best lock on the list. The Medeco padlock has a unique elevating and rotating tumbler pin system that makes trying to pick this thing a nightmare. Beyond pick resistance, the lock body is a beast.
Features
- Medeco’s signature pick-resistant triple-locking tumbler system
- Boron alloy steel shackle
- Hardened steel inserts within the cylinder provide serious protection against drilling attacks
- Comes with 2 patented Medeco keys and a code card (only Medeco or a certified Medeco service outlet can duplicate the keys)
- Key alike, key differently, or master keyed
- Outdoor weather-resistant design perfect for trailer doors
- Shrouded shackle to guard against cutting
You may have noticed that I left out a paddle deadbolt. I can’t recommend that type of lock with confidence. You’re much better off using one of the locks above, and they should fit into anyone’s budget.
For those of you on a tight budget, the Stanley shrouded lock is a great and reliable starter lock. Plus, you can always upgrade the cylinder later.
Lock Care Tips for Freezing Climates
Frozen trailer door locks are a common problem for people living in/traveling through colder climates. Here are several tips to keep your locks in working order:
- Keep your lock(s) lubed
- Keep a small torch on hand in case you need to thaw out your lock
- An aerosol can of de-icer also comes in handy
- While driving, keep your lock inside the vehicle to keep it clean and dry
Bonus Trailer Security Tips
- Remember, your lock is only as good as the rest of your security system. If you put your money into an expensive lock, be sure to put equal effort into the rest of your trailer security components.
- Most thieves won’t attempt to pick a trailer door lock first. They’ve probably watched videos on YouTube showing them how to cut through padlocks and which tools to use. For this reason, it’s critical to use a shrouded padlock or the “Hockey Puck” style lock above.
- You want a padlock that requires two cuts to break, such as the ABUS Granit lock above. When a pro is cutting your lock, the main function of the lock is to buy you time. Also, keep in mind, a quality lock can act as a visual deterrent to a pro. You have to hope they move on to an easier target when they see your lock.
- And last but not least, there is no such thing as an unbreakable lock. A lot of the time, theft is luck of the draw. You never know when you could become a target. That’s life. The best you can do is take precautions, including parking your trailer in an area less likely to experience theft and using one of the locks above to secure your hasp. Common sense also goes a long way.
Bottom Line
I think by now, everyone should have an understanding of what makes the best locks for trailer doors.
No matter what your budget is, one of the locks above should fit into it. As I mentioned earlier, the Stanley is a great budget trailer door lock while the Medeco and ABUS locks are top-notch padlocks.
The “Hockey Puck” lock is a great overall choice for trailer doors.
