Hitch Safe decoded with transparent backing

I made a clear acrylic backing for this lock to demonstrate how decoding works with this particular method. The construction was not very sturdy after my modifications, but that has no effect on this decoding method.
Tools used:
Panavise: www.panavise.com/
Covert Companion notched decoder: covertinstrume...

[@Zekmyr13]

Grew up in the country and I never knew about hitch locks until this video.

[@theareticallysecure]

They aren't super common, but I haven't yet found one that I could in good conscience recommend.

[@thelockpickinglebowski633]

I promoted your new channel on Twitter. But I couldn't CC you because I couldn't find a Twitter handle for you. Welcome from The Dude!

[@theareticallysecure]

Oh, thank you so much! I have yet to make my Twitter account.

[@grinandferret]

That was really impressive. I never would have imagined that you could decode a lock with a shim like that! Keep 'em coming, Thea! These types of videos really expose blatant security flaws in all sorts of locks and are great for purposes of showing people what locks to avoid!

[@theareticallysecure]

Thank you! These flaws are avoidable with minor changes to the design, too.

[@garyschuetz2779]

I've carefully watched your decoding to understand how I can get my hitch vault unlocked. At 3:57 your clip briefly shows the 'thin shim of metal with a notch cut cut in it' and I want to make this so that I can decode my vault. I think it's stuck somehow and my code doesn't release the lever to open it. I checked out your link to the 'covertinstruments' webpage and I really don't want the stuff that they present there.....I'm not interested in being able to break into any lock. Can you help me with a picture of your tool so that I can replicate it and then try to follow your steps to align the locking mechanism? THX in advance. Gary

[@user-ob3fe7gp4p]

Curious question here - If you have access to the backing plate, would it be possible and/or potentially more efficient to delicately reset the dials internally to a new combination? Or at perhaps at least disengage the reset screw to allow such?

[@theareticallysecure]

Yes, but when it's inserted into the casing, the back plate is inaccessible.

[@didnotwantthis]

Can you decode it by pressing the lever on top to bind the wheels?

[@theareticallysecure]

Not with this particular one. This lock works by placing a physical block in the way of the locking pawls that is flush against it, so it applies no pressure to the wheels. The spring that you can kind of see in the glob of hot glue near the center of the acrylic is the only thing that applies pressure against the code wheels.

[@didnotwantthis]

@@theareticallysecure Thanks.

[@theareticallysecure]

No problem!