Does anyone know how tough is the Mopar class III hitch? I am specifally speaking about the loop ring that is near the hitch receiver.

To give you a little background why I am asking, just yesterday I put on my bike hitch and decided to go biking in Manhattan. I parked my car near the West side highway since I was planning to go ride on that path. Before I started to bike, I decided to go and eat brunch at a local restaurant. Coming back from the restaurant I took my bikes for a ride and after riding my bikes I came back to my Jeep to setup the bikes onto the racks again. This time I noticed my secuirty cable has been damaged by a cutter. It wasn't noticiable until I looked directly at the cable. This most likely happened when I was eating at the restaurant someone tried to steal my bikes. So now I am off to buy a new lock, the one I am looking at is the "Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit" chain lock with an additional disc lock.

My setup here is to lock one end of the chain to the hitch loop with a disc lock and then wrapping the other end of the chain link around the bike rack and then the bikes, locking the other end with the 2nd disc lock. Think of it as a Laso.

So going back to my questions above, do you know if the class III hitch can take somewhat of a beating with say a hammer or bolt cutter or other blunt objects? I don't expect the loop to be the toughest piece of my Jeep and I would think it would be difficult for anyone to hammer it to break or see someone who can esaily fit a bolt cutter under my Jeep. Who know... let's hear what you all have to say.

This is where the incident occurred (around 12pm) - the corner of Claskson St. and Washington St.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...,0.007467&z=17

Pictures of my cables semi cut... must have been a weak thief or the theif was scared by someone and ran away.


Typically this is how my bikes are locked onto my Jeep

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Jeep Liberty Limited 2007
No Mods just yet..

I don't know how tough the safety chain loops are on the hitch, but....

When I was installing my hitch last week, I noticed there was a bit of room between the hitch's cross bar and the bumper cover. You could trim that plastic a bit to clear the chain/cable.

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-Rich
It must be air in the fuel!

I'd stick with the "cable" type locks. As you have found out, Most thieves usually have at least a knife and/or screwdriver type tools. Cables are resilient to knife attack and bolt cutters (Lots of metal strands to get through).

Although I doubt any lock is unbreakable, Time is probably the biggest factor. If it's going to take a long time to get through a cable, then there's a chance that he will be caught. If you have solid link chain, then it's only a matter of moments to cut a link if he has bolt cutters

Stick with the Cable

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07 Cherokee/Liberty Limited 4x4
CRDStu 2.5" Lift, JBA's 4.5 UCA's
ARB Winch Bar, WARN XD9000 Winch
Light-Force 170's
3.7 Petrol / Auto
Sun Roof
Tow Pack,Scan GuageII
Reversing Camera
(pretty much stock, really)

I don't think a cable lock is as secuirty as a chain lock. I have been researching online about the locks and everyone is saying the cable lock offers no security over chain locks. Some of the tests I read even goes as far as saying the cable locks cut through like butter compared to a chain lock. Some of my friends and co-workers also told me stories how their bikes were stolen when they used cable locks. Thiefs in New York City are another kind of breed, they carry all kinds of tools, lol...

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Jeep Liberty Limited 2007
No Mods just yet..