How to properly lock a U-Haul Truck: Essential Tips and Guidelines

Introduction

Automobile thefts are climbing at an alarming rate, which is making the security of vehicles a major concern. While some careful and simple features of securing your automobiles might seem small on the outside, they are extremely impactful in keeping you from worrying about the transporter’s safety. U-Haul is one of the United State leading moving truck and trailer rental companies that have made transporting goods a breeze for businesses which are not well-equipped to acquire trucks for shipments. U-Haul was initiated as a nano business with big dreams by Leonard Shoen and his wife Anna Mary Carty. Their business flourished with their smart strategies and within a few years, U-Haul had made a big name in trade marketing. The perk of leashing U-Haul equipment is that it is available 24/7 and even on weekends.

In this blog post, we’ll dive deep into the details of locking a U-Haul truck, we’ll look through common and unneglectable mistakes that are made while locking trucks, and in the end, we’ll discover a few additional safety tips that work well. So, sit back, relax, and get ready to learn.

Understanding the Importance of Securing a U-Haul Truck

Properly locking the U-Haul Truck is the key to the juggernaut’s safety. You must understand that the responsibility of protecting your belongings is huge and a tiny remiss can turn into a big loss. Until now, the Georgia Police Department has filed 38 complaints against stolen U-Haul trucks. This means that U-Haul trucks are subjected to thefts, and you should be well prepared to avert this incident from happening.

Preparing for Locking

A. Choosing the right type of lock

Locks are integral features of your vehicle’s security. So, you should make wise decisions when selecting a lock. To help you in the lock selection we’ve brought in some of the applicable lock styles for your heavy goods vehicles which are

1. Padlocks

Padlocks are undeniably the best pick for keeping U-Haul trucks safe because picking a padlock is a challenge for thieves. A four-pin padlock with a robustly built calliper and two-ball bearings locking feature works well for U-Haul trucks.

2. Disc locks

Apart from padlocks, disc locks are also made to enhance the safety of your heavy good vehicles. Mostly Disc locks are designed for securing bicycles and motorbikes so, you need to get your hands on the bigger versions of Disc locks. These bigger models are made with robust metals and their shackles are inaccessible. Besides, you must ensure the quality of disc lock callipers before buying them. Finding locking units with such tiny details may be hard but you should put the safety of your valuables over it and go buy the best disc locks.

3. Cylinder locks

Another must-have lock in your truck safety kit is a cylinder lock. A cylinder lock as the name suggests is a cylindrical unit, that can be used on a padlock for added security.

B. Gathering necessary supplies

Gathering the essential supplies for the truck security kit ahead of time can uplift the game of U-Haul rental truck protection.

1. Locks

Apart from Padlocks, Disc locks, and cylinder locks, there are boot locks that are fastened on the front wheel of the transporter and give a tough time to the thief. Another essential lock you should not miss out on is the tubular lock. Tubular locks go well with containers and drawers and work like a front-line defender for your valuables.

2. Keys

All the keys for locks should be placed in the truck security kits. Additionally, you should not hold back from keeping spare keys with you.

3. Additional security devices (if applicable)

You might also want to install an affordable wireless alarm. Connecting this alarm to the truck’s speaker will alert you when a burglar sneaks into the truck.

C. Ensuring all belongings are properly packed and arranged

Improper placing and packing of goods make them visible on the outside and increase the chances of theft. So, it is always in the best interest of your possession’s safety to be properly packed.

Step by Step guide to locking a U-Haul Truck

We’ve designed a step-by-step guide to help you get into the details of unlocking your U-Haul truck the right way.

• Step 1: Start with snecking the rear doors properly. Sometimes, brackets hinder the door from closing probably because of gusts or some juggernaut movements. Consequently, you’ll have to draw the holders and turn them the other way around from the entryway. This action will securely close the doors.
• Step 2: Go to Place the right locks over the door handles. Ensure the quality of the locks before installing them. Usually, tough locks are preferred for securing your giant vehicles.
• Step 3: Finally, turn the locks carefully to engage them firmly. You might also want to cross-check that the locks are turned all to way to their locked position so that no compromise is made over the truck’s safety.

Tips for Extra Security

The safety of your possessions is always in your own hands and installing additional security features in your automobiles is one of the best bets for doing away with automobile theft.

1. Utilizing multiple locks

Locking all the access points with proper locks can be time-consuming, however, this will save your time from being wasted in police investigations.

2. Parking strategically

The most reliable course of action to do away with theft is parking at spots that are well-equipped with security units. Usually, restaurants, hotels, gas stations, parking lots, and rest stops are considered safe places for pulling up vehicles at night. Moreover, you need to make sure that the heavy goods vehicle is backed up against a wall or you can also park your car behind the truck to prevent thefts.

3. Regularly inspecting locks during stops

Sometimes due to any negligence, the lock’s engagement is not tightly secured. That is why it is important to frequently inspect locks during moves.

4. Keeping a spare key in a secure location

Securely locked trucks do not only keep thieves from gaining access but also the lessees if they somehow fail to take care of the lock’s keys. Careful and well-organized placement of keys in the safe can take the hustle of looking after the keys out of your moves. It is also a wise decision to put away a few spare keys

5. Park in a safe and well-lit area

Thieves avoid stealing from places that are well-lit because of the fear of being caught and easily recognized. That is why parking under streetlights or streetlamps is considered ideal at night.

Preventing Common mistakes

1. Not double-checking the lock engagement

Locks often end up being loose in the hustle of a move. Ensuring that the locks are securely engaged twice will save you from the aftermath.

2. Failing to secure all access points

There are multiple access points for a looter to break into the truck. You should properly secure all the cabinets, doors, wheels, and even the steering wheel so that robbery stands no chance.

3. Neglecting proper parking locations

Parking the rental truck in proper parking locations has a lot to do with its safety. It is wise to park the U-Haul truck in well-secured spots which include hotels, gas stations, parking lots, rest stops, casinos, and places where security cameras have been installed.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use my locks on a U-Haul truck?

Yes, you can use your lock on U-Haul heavy road equipment, because U-Haul has discontinued providing locks for their rental vehicles after receiving frequent complaints of compromised locks quality.

2. What should I do if I lose the keys?

Taking the Safe Trip Insurance cover will save you the worry that comes from losing keys in the jumble of moving. You’ll just need to inform the Safe Trip company and U-Haul will rush to help in this matter.

3. Is there a specific way to lock the loading ramp?

Securing the loading ramp requires you to lock it with durable and robust locking cables. Another excellent pick to do away with loading ramp robbery is the Master Lock Python Adjustable Locking cables, ideally of the size 1.8 x 10 mm.

Conclusion

U-Haul is one of the top-notch moving truck companies in the United States that rents out its road equipment at decent prices. Millions of people count on U-Haul trucks every year to comfort their moves. However, these moves can turn into miseries when you fail to gear up the rental truck to avoid thefts. Knowing how to properly lock your belongings and installing certain locks and features can save you from the fear of your goods being robbed.

Did you know any of these security features before? Has this post helped you in realizing the mistakes that you’ve been unconsciously making?  How do you ensure that your U-Haul Truck is properly locked? Sound off in the comment box. Your comments help us to keep track of your interest and encourage us to bring more valuable content for you.