Just been chatting to a portuguese driver who is parked up for the night here, we got chatting about a driver who had his pin pulled through the night and didn’t check in the morning, needless to say he lost the trailer a few yards up the road. This Portuguese lad showed us he uses a padlock to stop this. One of those long ones. Is this legal? Can’t see why not.
Cant see why it would be illegal, should think he stays coupled up for most of the year, but you could always just check it which i think most people do anyway 
It’s legal but it would be a nightmare to get access to cut off if you lost the key or corrosion stopped it opening.
Just putting a normal dog-clip on would probably make it enough extra hassle to deter quite a few would-be pin pullers.
Own Account Driver:
It’s legal but it would be a nightmare to get access to cut off if you lost the key or corrosion stopped it opening.Just putting a normal dog-clip on would probably make it enough extra hassle to deter quite a few would-be pin pullers.
well thats what I thought, looking at it, being one of those long padlocks you could get a set of cutters in if you moved the padlock on its side. Good idea but best bet is to check the dogclip everytime.
I can honestly say I have never checked the handle or dog clip after a break or overnight, but I have seen a couple of lads with little padlocks which look like they would come off with a crowbar or hammer attack, but must be a sufficient deterrent.
Cold Up North:
I can honestly say I have never checked the handle or dog clip after a break or overnight, but I have seen a couple of lads with little padlocks which look like they would come off with a crowbar or hammer attack, but must be a sufficient deterrent.
Don’t wait till It’s happened before you start checking 
Cold Up North:
I can honestly say I have never checked the handle or dog clip after a break or overnight, but I have seen a couple of lads with little padlocks which look like they would come off with a crowbar or hammer attack, but must be a sufficient deterrent.
I would say it’s good practise to check it after a night out or if you’ve been lucky and spent a few hours at an RDC somewhere as it really only takes a second to glance at the pin just before you climb in the cab, saying that never had one pulled on me yet but had the legs lowered about 20 odd years ago at Farthing Corner for some strange reason.
Asda Taunton the local kids used to climb all over your truck while you were tipping. I caught them underneath once, they had set the parking brake and were trying to pull the pin. They also used to hide on the embankment opposite where you reverse into the back gate, and shine laser torches at you. little B’s 
Asda Newport, they would surf ride on top of your trailer to get inside at night!
Stand just outside behind your drivers door, glance back and you can check your legs are down, your dog clip is on, and your lines are still attached, it takes less that 5 seconds!
also worth checking the pin if you are on a MSA and have blocked a caravanner in who may have taken revenge 
del949:
also worth checking the pin if you are on a MSA and have blocked a caravanner in who may have taken revenge
I could not lock mine …
del949:
also worth checking the pin if you are on a MSA and have blocked a caravanner in who may have taken revenge
also worth checking at sainsburys Waltham abbey if you work for eddie stobart! 
some Richard head from dsv was caught on CCTV pulling the pin on my mates Scania ( which he got suspended for ) by the depot manager at Appleton ( the one with calibrated eyeballs, I may add ) 
obviously an ex happy employee of eddie stobart limited
I got into work at 5 this morning to find my dog clip and chain missing, rather than VOR it and wake someone up at 5am, I stuck a padlock thru the hole. Job done and common sense prevailed IMO
When I’m back on Friday I’ll get a new one fitted but til then as far as I’m concerned there is a retaining clip in place.
truckerjon:
Stand just outside behind your drivers door, glance back and you can check your legs are down, your dog clip is on, and your lines are still attached, it takes less that 5 seconds!
I’d rather the legs were up before I moved off, TBH
I think a padlock would show greater sense to the V man in all honesty.
A bit of insualtion tape around it and that’ll keep it clear and worst case, grind it off?
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walterfirelake:
these dogclip incidents make a good case for updating c&u regs to making air jaws compolsory, never dropped a trailer whilst shunting, still I’ve only shunted them for 30 years so theres time yet?
Why fix something that isn’t broken? By your own admission you are a shunter(snigger)
All the long distance men and trampers do not need air operated couplings when a standard blade handle works well. The dog clip is only stopping the handle being pulled out by a passer by, it doesn’t hold the trailer on, and it will certainly not stop it coming off!
A visual check is all that’s necessary, whether you use a padlock, nut and bolt or a spring clip.
For about 20 years I haven’t driven a lorry with a dog clip fitted, but they have all been legal.
Remember though, whether your dog clip is a clip or a padlock, it needs to have a chain to permanently connect it to the unit or Mr VOSA will ■■■■ your ■■■.
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