Do you leave your trailer hitch / Ball in?

The first thing I did was buy a hitch ball to put in the receiver. Had a few rear ends in my SUV and the hitch ball kept my Vue from getting damaged. Sure damaged there vehicles.

 

I don't like the locks cause they tend to rust up, and I don't trust the public to not pull the hitch pin on me.... so, storage bin in the cab it is!

 

I didn't think of rust. Good call

 

Always stays in. First thing I'd buy for a new truck. The one on my Tacoma has been hit 11 times causing no damage to my truck. Has busted many of grills and radiators though lol

 

Holy shit balls, J-Dawg.

11 times?

 

I voted sometimes. When I am towing frequently I leave it in, locked of course. Other times when I think about it, usually after hitting a speed bump and hearing it clang around, I take it off and put it in the cubby in the bed. I have a sweet Reese cover that I got at HD to cover the receiver.

 

I don't leave mine on. I tow rarely, but damn sure not tempting or inviting just anyone to touch my ball....it's by invitation only.

I keep mine under the back seat.

 

I have one of those locking hitch pins from Walmart. I don't know how good they are but I think it's more of the "locks keep honest people honest" thing. It doesn't seem that strong, but it makes it harder than just walking up and taking it.

I never leave my hitch in unless it's in use.

 

he must drive like Richard Hammond in that Chernobyl episode of top gear.

 

Yep. That I know of at least lol

 

I've had one on my trucks for years, yep I've felt it a few times. The 2 cars that hit me, young drivers looking at their phones, one luckily only had minor damage, the 2nd one lost some coolant. Not a scratch on my truck, the ball don't count.

 

My lock seized once. The key wouldn't budge it. I had to get it cut off. But I live in the PNW, so maybe too much moisture.

 

Get some anti seize/or lithium tool grease, apply to key, insert key, turn key many times reapply lubricant if necessary, clean key, stick in pocket/keychain, put a dab of grease on face of lock. Complete... water/moisture will wick right off and shouldnt ever give you an issue. Keeps mine from freezing in the winter and rusting in the summer or after boat launching etc.

 

Tried walking by it at night, forgetting it was there. Knee took a bad hit, and I dropped a very good beer, too. Don't keep it on anymore. End of story.

I do worry about some other smuck having the same accident (like me again), so that's why I rarely leave it on anymore.

 

I had heard it was illegal but a dmv/vehicle code search did not show anything. I was waiting out side a store for the wife when a SDPD pulled over an 'expired tags on a van' - people where giving him crap and then their friends showed up, turned into a couple being arrested and the van towed. They asked me for a witness report/info since they were screaming can't pick on me I'm illegal it's not right.

tl;dr
I asked the officer to look at mine and was it illegal. He spent 10 minutes going through his list of things he can pull people over for and that was not on the list. Did not think he had ever heard of it being illegal in Calif. Since locales can't regulate DMV/MV codes on their own, I do doubt it.

 

Interesting poll turn out!!

 

Yes, it stays in all the time. I fluid filmed mine inside and out, and locked it so it can't be easily stolen. It's dirty looking from road dirt but not rusty.

 

Good looking truck! Does this thing ever see dirt?

 

New York State it is.

 

I went off-road one time.