For locksmiths, safety isn’t just a service; it’s a responsibility. At Key Shoppe, a full-service locksmith company based in Picayune, Mississippi, that responsibility extends far beyond keys and locks. From delivering multi-thousand-pound gun safes to transporting vaults, doors, and heavy security equipment, their team faces high-risk moves every day.
That’s exactly why choosing the right trailer mattered.
Meet Key Shoppe
Founded more than 38 years ago, Key Shoppe has built a reputation as a trusted security partner across South
Mississippi. The company provides a balanced mix of automotive, commercial, and residential locksmith services, with an additional specialty department dedicated to selling, servicing, opening, and delivering safes and vaults.
Their customers range from government facilities and schools to hospitals, jewelry stores, and businesses with high-level security needs, many of which require precise, careful transportation of heavy equipment.
The Challenge: Moving Heavy Safes Safely
Transporting safes isn’t easy. According to Loni Portie, one of the owners of Key Shoppe, moving 1,000–2,000 lb. gun safes using pickup trucks, liftgates, or rollback tow trucks was not only time-consuming but also dangerous.
“When you have a 1,000 or 2,000-pound gun safe on the back of a pickup truck, and you’re trying to lower it, it gets very scary,” Loni explains. “They always have a tendency to fall forward.”
With safety risks, weather exposure, and labor inefficiencies stacking up, Key Shoppe knew they needed a better solution.
The Solution: Air-tow’s Ground-Level Loading Technology
Key Shoppe ultimately migrated to an Air-tow single-axle drop-deck trailer (S8) and immediately felt the difference.
“The safety alone was worth the investment,” says Loni.
With Air-tow’s hydraulic ground-level loading, the trailer lowers completely flat to the ground, allowing safes and heavy equipment to be rolled on and off without lifting. No steep ramps. No balancing acts. No white-knuckle moments.
“It’s so efficient just to lower the trailer all the way to the ground and roll the safe in,” Loni adds. “Even when strapping it down and lifting it back up, there are no concerns whatsoever.”
Safer, Faster, and More Efficient
Since switching to an Air-tow trailer, Key Shoppe has seen major operational improvements:
- 50–60% increase in efficiency for loading and unloading safes
- Most deliveries under 1,000 lbs. are now handled by one technician, instead of two or three
- Reduced risk of injuries and equipment damage
- Faster job completion and quicker turnaround at job sites
“It has improved every aspect for us,” Loni says. “From safety to efficiency, it’s been a game changer.”
Built to Tow
Beyond safety, Key Shoppe has been impressed by how well their Air-tow trailer performs on the road.
“The way they’re built, they’re a solid platform,” Loni explains. “They tow amazingly.”
After logging 1,500+ miles one-way on multiple trips, the trailer has proven reliable with minimal maintenance and zero downtime, a critical factor for a business that depends on mobility.
Protection From the Elements
Operating in South Mississippi means dealing with frequent rain and unpredictable weather. With their enclosed Air-tow trailer, Key Shoppe can now transport safes, file cabinets, doors, and equipment securely and dry, regardless of conditions.
“We don’t have to fight the elements anymore,” Loni says. “Everything stays safe and protected inside.”
A Rolling Billboard for the Business
One unexpected bonus? Marketing.
Key Shoppe had its enclosed Air-tow trailer fully wrapped, turning it into a rolling billboard everywhere it goes.
“We can’t even stop for gas without someone asking about the trailer or our services,” Loni shares. “People are always curious, ‘What is that?’ ‘Where do I get one?’ And we love it.”
The trailer doesn’t just move safes; it actively helps generate new business.
Why Key Shoppe Recommends Air-tow
For Key Shoppe, investing in an Air-tow trailer wasn’t just about upgrading equipment; it was about protecting their team, improving efficiency, and elevating their operation.
“Our safety has definitely increased,” says Loni. “It’s made our jobs faster, easier, and far less stressful.”
Learn More About Key Shoppe
To learn more about Key Shoppe and their full range of locksmith and security services, visit www.keyshoppe.com. You can also find them on Facebook.