Reese Locking Hitch

I bought my taco about a month ago and it came with a Reese key locking hitch on it. Unfortunately, the seller did not have the key that goes with it. I sent Reese an email, to which they actually responded saying they could not help me or send me a replacement key without having the key number or something. What can I do, short of sawing of the little metal dowel there? It is not really posing a problem right now, other than the aesthetics of the truck, but it would be nice to be able to remove the hitch. Although, it's also nice to know I have a little extra protection in case someone rear ends me.

 

Sawzall or a torch seems to be the fix for your problem...

 

See if the guys at your local firehouse want to give their 'jaws of life' an outing.

 

you may have a hard time cutting with a saw of any sort because it's hardened steel. it will just ruin the blade. use a grinder or torch.

 

i had one of those exact locks on my T-100. sounded like a good idea until i actually needed to remove it. i had a key for mine, but the rust had formed an impenetrable seal on the lock. never did get it off...sold it still rusted in place...keys in glovebox. die grinder w/cutoff wheel, or a couple good bi-metal sawzall blades should do it.

 

Thanks guys, wish there was a way to just find an extra key...

 

Talk to a lock smith?

 

No, but it is an option, hopefully it won't get to that, are locksmith services expensive?

 

they cost more than a new hitch lock, i bet.

 

usually locksmiths do automotive key molds for something around 50 dollars

 

Sounds like that puppy's gotta go.

 

Grind it off and buy a new one for $20 at Wal-Mart.

 

To bad you don't live near Chris, not only would this lock be history, we would have a great story to pass around.

 

The fastest way I can think of is to visit your freindly body shop or metal shop that has a plasma or other gas cutting device and have them lob it off for $10.00, might be less. Of course you would loose your pin holding in the ball mount, something you would probably need to replace anyway.

-Joe

 

yea i'd say just cut it off and buy a new one. there pretty inexpensive anyways. i would use a grinder with cutoff wheel, torch or plasma for sure.

 

You can cut it off but when I lost mine I went to Walmart and they allowed me to try several of the keys there. Eventually one worked. Took about 15 minutes.