Do truckers use padlocks?

key lock everyday

 

As far as drivers locking them, it's 50/50 at best (I was one if the ne'er-do-wells that only locked mine during lunch or had a lengthy inside delivery).

The locks themselves are permanently mounted, however.

 

This is a very good lock, but be warned - if you get road grime or ice in the key hole and can't open it.... it is very difficult to cut off, usually requires a torch. This is why I don't use this one anymore.

 

When I was driving for CR England, they said all drivers were given a lock in the class room. Tho once out on the road I never saw a lock. When I asked about it, I was told the company found they were losing money on the locks and loads with locks so they no longer bothered. Seems that when ever a lock was attached to the doors, a thief would break into the trailer. However, the company found that if the trailer just had the plastic label stuck through thieves didnt bother with the load. Regardless of high value or not. Granted most high value loads were given only to team drivers. Only time a solo operator got a high value load was to grab the load and drop it off for a repower.

 

good one lol

 

I may use a padlock once a year if that... But, back in the day, a padlock was just a mild deterrence to a thief. We had these huge beasts made of steel that attached to the trailer door bars. They had a Coke machine style lock on them. If the key was lost, the only way to get this thing off was with a cutting torch.

 

A little tape over the hole works wonders...

 

Any lock can easily be removed without a torch in remote locations using these three things:

 

Any home deadbolt lock can be picked open, too. But it makes sense to use them anyway. At least for most.

The point is to not make it easy for anyone unauthorized to get inside to YOUR trailer and freight. A lock is a practical choice. The heavier and harder the better. Make them have to work and draw attention to themselves. Make them choose the easy box next to you ... the one with only a seal.