Do you leave your trailer hitch / Ball in?

I take mine out when not in use. IIRC, it's technically illegal in Illinois to leave them in, but no one enforces the law. I've banged into them in parking lots when they back in to the car in the next slot. Been tempted to take them out.

 

24/7 hitch is on. Locked of course

 

Pretty sure in CA it's only if the hitch ball blocks the license plate, otherwise not illegal.

 

i've always left mine in, but back into parking spots to save shins.

pretty sure the license plate blockage is the reason.

 

I use it as an insurance policy. Saved me hundreds of dollars a few months back when I was rear-ended on the freeway and the dirt bag had no insurance. Put a nice hole in his front bumper, not a scratch on my truck. My B&W flips around and locks underneath, so unless there's any serious off-roading, it stays in. Just remember to keep things lubed.

And unlike the picture, mine only has two balls

 

I had mine in when I first got my truck. Then I realized it was a source for rust leaving it there. Got a locking pin for Christmas but I've seen those on other trucks and they seem to rust out just as bad. So I keep my tow hitch and recovery gear in a heavy duty bag in my truck for when I need it. This keeps that stuff in good shape and out of the way, but readily available when needed.

 

Many states have stupid laws!!!!

 

Mine stays under the back seat until I need it, I don't tow that often.

 

That's why they call it a dammit ball. Lol

 

I was rear ended once with it in. One scuff mark on my bumper. It destroyed the grill and hood of the guy who ran into me. Mine hasn't came out since.

 

Learn to walk

But if you're okay with people stealing, where do you park your truck? I want to take some parts off of it.

 

You're the reason I carry.

 

Oh so suddenly if people steal from you it's not okay.

 

I've only hit my own a few times usually while messing with something in the bed. I've never hit one on another vehicle. Guess I look where I'm going and don't try to love up on someone else's vehicle while walking by.

I damn sure wouldn't steal someone else's shit for any reason.

 

I wouldn't consider stealing someone else's property being nice to people.

 

Seconded. I don't put up with that sorta thing.

 

It is illegal where i am, but only enforced if u drive a brodozer and constantly get pulled over. Mine is in 24/7 saved my bumper a couple times already.
I have thought about that superstep hitch step thing that acts as a springloaded bumper when idiots love tap your truck for higher speed collisions.

 

You're correct. I use to pull people over all the time for that.. I would never give them a ticket however.

 

I take it out because I dont like the grease stains when I bump against it. I use to use a cover over the ball but they kept getting stolen.