Carson 4x4 Trailer Winch Security - Operation Carson Hauler

Last month, we showed you our brand-new 18-foot Carson-built flatbed trailer along with a few basic additions we just couldn't live without. This time we're going to demonstrate how easy it is to make any trailer theft-resistant while also adding a winch for loading and unloading disabled vehicles.

A few months back, we removed the Warn 9500ti electric winch from the front of our Mega Titan so we could install a new Warn PowerPlant. This left us with a slightly used but fully functional winch for our trailer project. We hit up Warn for a Multi-mount cradle and simply bolted the two together. We know what you're thinking: a 9,500-pound winch is completely overkill for a flatbed trailer, right? Typically we might agree, but in this case our intentions include using this winch as a backup for worst-case scenarios. For instance, you're at the beach. A friend's motorhome is buried in the sand. The only hope for extraction is two very capable winches pulling at the same time. With this setup, we can very easily remove the winch from the trailer and attach it to any 2-inch receiver hitch to provide assistance when needed. This setup also allows us to remove the winch if we have to unexpectedly leave our trailer on the side of the highway for any extended period of time.

The last thing you want to worry about while out on the trail is whether or not your trailer is going to be there waiting for the return trip home. This is why we strongly believe in using a solid locking mechanism like the one shown here to protect your trailer from theft. This fully adjustable coupler lock is made by Master Lock and fits all 2 5/16-inch ball-style trailer couplers. Features include an advanced locking device that resists tampering and it comes with a limited lifetime warranty. The unit is easy to use and is resistant to rust and corrosion. Pretty much, it would take a blowtorch to remove this little guy from our trailer. Bring it on, thieves!

This little device is a really sweet idea. It's called HitchSafe. It installs into any 2-inch receiver hitch and is secured from the inside by two steel sliding bolt retainer bars. This system transforms any receiver hitch into a solid steel vault, providing a very secure location for keys and other small valuables.

As you can see here, the folks that created HitchSafe thought of everything. Check out the killer dust cover designed to protect and conceal the sliding compartment and combination lock of the HitchSafe. Now our keys are only just a four-digit code away.