amurph182

Well, it’s official: I’m an idiot. Lost the keys to the barrel-style locks for the tire rack on my trailer. Pics below. If I could identify the brand, maybe I could get spare keys? Any tricks for busting these open? Or am I just going to have to cut them with something? They have the tube-style keys…maybe the old bic pen trick?

mlct

Check out the LockPickingLawyer videos on YouTube. He makes things easy but I kind of doubt it is that easy. Likely easier to just use a saw and cut it off.

One search could be
https://www.youtube.com/c/lockpickin...=barrel%20lock

Good luck.

De Jeeper

Usually a sawsall or bolt cutter will not go through the hardened metal. Use a 1/8" cutting wheel on a grinder. It will take 30sec or even a 3lb hammer will go it because hardened steel is brittle.

mla413

I had a similar issue, but I broke the key to my trailer ball lock. Took an angle grinder to it and it was off in less than a minute. The diameter of my bolt was probably 2x yours and it was still easy to get through.

On my tire rack I switched to a 4 digit combo lock and got rid of the key altogether.

markmark26

this just happened to me this past weekend. Regular lock, and Master Lock hitch lock. Drilled both of them, and had them off in less than a minute each

redmill

Ah. somehow just lost 1 set of trailer keys myself, despite a foot long key chain and attached registration card.....

You can get master lock and other keys like toolbox keys off amazon... you just need the number.... about $10 for the pair
Thats a weird lock, best to cut it and start with a new matching set of locks and a pair of keys... cut it at dusk to make sure you scare the neighbors with all the sparks.

wouldnt hurt to take pictures of your keys or write down the numbers for future use.....

amurph182

4 good whacks with a 4lb hammer took care of it…which brings me to my followup question: why bother? Is there a better type of lock to use for this purpose or should I just switch to some kind of pin I can stick in there simply to keep the bar in place?

De Jeeper

U r only preventing the honest theives with a lock like that. U dont want to make it easy for a theif so a lock has value. Maybe a long loop materlock? U can still cut it with a grinder but a hammer or boltcutters wont work.

LuigiVampa

I lost the key to my Masterlock hitch pin lock. I clamped the lock-pin so it wouldn't move and drilled out the lock, as if it were balsa wood, in about 15 seconds.

+1

You are only preventing a crime of opportunity. Anyone with a cordless cutting wheel can get most of these locking devices off in seconds.

FYI - As MDL pointed out, the lock picking lawyer is a really cool channel on Youtube. Makes you realize how useless all locks really are.

Mussl Kar

https://www.cpopowertools.com/dewalt...EaApgoEALw_wcB

I have a handful of these 60 volt tools. One always has a diamond cutoff disc in it. Diamond disc made for cutting steel. Hardened steel no problem. Outlasts more than 40 standard cutoff discs.