The Rising Threat of Trailer & Truck Theft | California Immobilizer

Across North America the trucking and logistics industry is facing an alarming surge in thefts. According to reports:

• In 2024, there were 3,625 cargo theft incidents in North America – a 27% jump year-over-year.
• Full truckload thefts (entire trucks or trailers) comprised ~34% of incidents in one study.
• Utility and trailer-only thefts are also widespread: over 100,000 utility trailers are reportedly stolen annually in the U.S. with recovery rates often below 30%.
• Losses to the supply chain now exceed $10 billion per year in the U.S. alone.

These statistics make one thing clear: if you haul a truck or trailer, you’re a target. Beyond just the value of the goods, losing a vehicle or trailer means expensive downtime, insurance hikes, and reputation risk.

Introducing the California Immobilizer TNT Lock

When you’re protecting a truck or trailer-especially dual-wheel tractor trailers-the anti-theft device you choose matters. The California Immobilizer Truck and Trailer (TNT) Lock is specifically designed to meet that challenge.

Protect your wheels. Protect your load. Protect your bottom line.

If you haul trucks or trailers, protect your equipment, your cargo and your bottom line. Explore the California Immobilizer Truck & Trailer (TNT) Lock today.

Key features

• Fits dual-wheeled vehicles with 22.5″ to 24.5″ wheels (common on tractor trailers).
• Heavy duty construction: thick-wall high-quality steel chassis, powder-coated bright yellow with reflective decals for visibility and deterrence.
• Quick install/removal: designed to install or remove in only a few seconds, minimizing downtime.
• Integrated 7-pin lock, side handles and carry-center handle for easier handling.
• Versatile mounting: can be fitted on either side of the vehicle by reversing the wheel clamps.

Why this matters

By immobilizing the wheel/dual assembly, the TNT lock prevents a thief from simply hooking up and rolling away.
The bright yellow lock + reflective decals act as a visible deterrent: thieves often look for easy, unnoticed targets.
The quick install means drivers or yard operators can secure their assets without major time investment.
Its design for dual wheels is especially relevant for tractor-trailers and larger equipment-areas often neglected in basic theft-prevention devices.

Applications & Use Cases

Here are real-world ways the TNT Lock is used:

• Truck yards / terminal parking: When tractors or trailers are parked overnight, unsecured dual wheels are an easy target.
• Drop-and-hook operations: Even if a trailer is dropped at a site and hooked by another carrier, a wheel lock on the duals prevents unauthorized movement.
• Fleet staging / remote yards: For oversized rigs, remote locations, or when drivers leave vehicles for extended periods, a strong physical lock adds a layer beyond GPS tracking.
• Trailer pools / rental fleets: Rental trailers or yard-swapped trailers often spend time unattended-making them vulnerable. The TNT lock reduces that vulnerability.
• Cross-border shipments / supply-chain hubs: Cargo theft is increasingly centered in freight hubs like California and Texas. Securing the wheel assembly gives you a head start on deterrence.

Real-World Theft Stories Where the TNT Lock Makes the Difference

Frozen shrimp trailer stolen in NJ

In September 2024 thieves stole a tractor-trailer loaded with $305,000 in frozen seafood from a parking yard in Middlesex, New Jersey.

How the TNT lock could have helped: A visible wheel immobilizer would have increased the time and risk for the thieves. Even if they overcame the lock, the bright deterrent and physical barrier would force them to cut or remove the lock in daylight or more time-likely causing them to bypass that trailer altogether.

Trailer theft from Michigan (Midland)

In late 2024, a power-wash trailer valued at $50,000 was stolen from a yard in Midland County.

How the TNT lock could have helped: Many trailer thefts succeed because the trailer is simply hitched and driven away. With a dual-wheel lock in place, the thief cannot roll the trailer until the lock is removed or cut-adding significant time, noise and risk.

Surge of cargo theft in 2024

With cargo theft at record levels (average stolen shipment value over $200,000) the problem isn’t just trailer theft-it’s entire trucks or trailers being taken.

How the TNT lock addresses this: By immobilizing the trailer at its wheels, it makes the “whole truck/trailer haul off” scenario much harder. Even if someone physically takes the cargo, they first need to move the trailer-so a wheel lock becomes a first line of defence rather than last.

Why Physical Locks Still Matter

In an age of GPS tracking, alarms and telematics you might ask: “Why bother with a big physical lock?” Because:

• Technology can be bypassed; once a thief is moving the vehicle/trailer, alerts often come too late.
• Many thefts occur quickly, in yard or parking lots, where physical deterrents shine.
• Insurance premiums and claims increasingly favour fleets with strong physical deterrents.
• Visibility matters: a glaring yellow lock signals “high security” which often deters opportunistic theft.
• Combining technologies-TNT lock + tracking + door/coupler locks-creates layered security, and layering is best practice.

If you haul, stage, park or operate trucks/trailers with value payloads or empty value (trailers themselves cost tens of thousands of dollars), the California Immobilizer Truck and Trailer (TNT) Lock is a smart investment. With documented theft trends on the rise, adding a visible, quick-install, heavy-duty wheel lock can significantly reduce your risk.

Use the lock as part of your standard operating procedure:

1. Park vehicle.
2. Install TNT lock on dual wheels.
3. Ensure location is well-lit and documented.
4. Pair with GPS tracking + door/coupler locks.
5. Train operators on quick install/removal and inspections.

In a world where cargo theft is escalating, where a trailer can vanish in minutes, and where the average loss is in the hundreds of thousands of dollars-every deterrent counts. The TNT lock isn’t just a lock; it’s a statement: “This asset is watched, valued, and protected.”

Protect your wheels. Protect your load. Protect your bottom line.