Truck/SUV hitch ?

[Dirtebiker]

I always leave it in!

Are we still talking about hitches or...

 

[hoosierdoc]

I'm lazy. I leave it on until I hit my shin hard enough to bother removing it

 

[TR1032]

I take it out, but carry it in the truck. Rarely (almost never) used, and the garage door won't clear if I leave it in.

 

[Hogwylde]

Gotta take it out or the garage door won't close......

 

[Ryninger]

We take em out for two reasons...
1.

2. Had a body shop tell me once that trucks/suvs aren't designed to take a rear impact with a ball in. The ball getting hit can alter the force direction of the impact and bend the frame from a relatively low energy impact...

 

[mcolford]

Mine typically stays in. I pull the utility trailer very regularly. The one for my camper (different size than the trailer) stays in the camper when I am not pulling it.

Locking hitch pins are your friend.

 

[Brian Ski]

Locking hitch pins are your friend.

Until salt and moisture corrodes them and you cannot unlock it. Like the padlocks on a spare tire.

I leave my hitch in the receiver. I have several different sizes and swap them out. So they don't stay in long enough to rust in place. . Plus a few different trucks. So they get passed around once in a while.

My Son bought a used truck the other day. The ball was missing but the hitch was rusted into the receiver. It was rusted in very bad. We had to cut it lengthwise with a torch, then chain it to a tree and beat on it with a sledge. Took us a while to get it out. The new one slides in well.

 

[Rocketscientist]

After whacking my shin on it about a dozen times, I now keep it in my break-down bag. So its with me all the time, but a lot less painful.

The back of my vehicle is pretty high up, so the mini bumper thing still works. Someone might just crack their grille and not impale their radiator.

 

[Brian Ski]

After whacking my shin on it about a dozen times, I now keep it in my break-down bag. So its with me all the time, but a lot less painful.

I hit my shin twice... Then learned not to do it. I guess I use mine too much to keep taking it out.

 

[eldirector]

I leave it in, only if I will be using it frequently. It is out (and stowed in the trailer box) right now.

I HATE hitting it with my shins, and there isn't a lot of room behind the truck in the garage.

 

[JollyMon]

I have to take it out. For some brilliant reason, Chevy decided to put the backup sensors right by the hitch, so it triggers it when a three ball hitch is in place. I do throw it on if I know a big winter storm is coming to act as a pre bumper.