Do you leave your trailer hitch / Ball in?

We don't have those problems in Tx except maybe the idiots that drive in the ocean

 

I leave mine in.

About 2 months ago, I backed into a car and it caused no damages to my truck. I ended up paying hush money on theirs.

 

Thank you!
They are a separate item. Daystar sells them. They're on Amazon, 4-wheel, etc in various colors. Search "Daystar Shackle Isolator". The washers are also made by Daystar.

 

Added both of those. Do you remember what brand of shackle/hitch you bought? I see some minor differences in the ones on Amazon but can't find one like yours.

 

It's this one:

Shackle Hitch Receiver by Vault - Connect Tow Straps for Vehicle Recovery with A 30000 Lbs Capacity - Towing Accessory Mounts to 2" Receivers

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01I25Z5F4/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

I keep my recovery under the back seats. I just prefer the cleaner look without leaving it in.

 

I left mine in for 5+ years and learned the hard way why you shouldn’t leave it in. The lock hitch pin rusted in place as well as the hitch itself. I watched it happen over the years and didn’t take any action...although, when you have your first child, all car projects and preventive maintenance tasks are thrown to the side for the first 2 years.

Like a boss, I sawzalled the lock off, then used my air hammer to punch the pin out. Completely welded in place. Aerokroil, a 3 pound hammer, and about 15 minutes it was out...but now I get to clean up the rust , mask off the back side of the truck and paint the towing bracket again. Not exactly something I am looking to forward to doing.

I don’t recommend leaving it in, especially during winter.

 

I don't leave mine in for two reasons. 1. I like to look it over and make sure the ball is tight and that it doesn't have any cracks. 2. If you run into that S.O.B. in a full out run, just one time will be enough to break you from leaving it in.

 

Back in 2014 I bought a Nissan Frontier (my bad) it came with a hitch and pin but without the ball. When I bought my 17 Tacoma OR 4x4 it didn't come with one. Did I get cheated or is that just cutting corners from Toyota?

 

I don't leave mine in either. Leaving it in will promote rust inside the hitch. Occasionally I spray dry lubricant inside the hitch to keep it from rusting.

 

You have to purchase it separate.

I leave mine in, I fluid film it regularly, no rust.

 

need to buy this for parking

 

Leave mine on all the time.

Andersen Alumistinger receiver
Andersen stainless lock
Curt stainless ball

Great setup, no rust issues

 

On Tundras it is a port add on for like $85. A lot of trucks I looked at had them. I told several dealers that it was a stupid option. Anyone that owns trailers like myself probably already has a ball mount or 2 or 3. Why would I want another and why pay Toyota 3x for one? I leave mine in but swap out drop length for different trailers a couple times each year. If you have a Bolt lock keyed to truck key I would definitely remove and regrease the lock mechanism now and then. I had a Bolt on my Tacoma that locked up. I noticed the replacement from Bolt had grease in the lock mechanism.