Trailer hitch receivers - how to store Efficiently & Safely?

[Wallyman]

So, if you are like me, you probably have a handful of trailer hitch receivers laying around. I think I probably have 5-10 of them between Class I and II/III receivers of various lengths and drops, 1 7/8" & 2" balls, tow hooks, pintle rings, steps.. how do you guys store them in any sort of efficient way? My other concern is safety, since they are heavy and I don't need them raining down on me or some other unsuspecting victim!

Right now I have them just laying in a random pile on top of a wall cabinet, but that bugs me because I always have to dig to find the one I want and I can't figure a good way to organize them and get them nicer.

I considered hanging them by the balls like you might see in a store display, but I have a few that aren't ball-based like the hook, ring, step and with the different size drops they won't line up nicely anyhow. I tried mocking up something and I just can't seem to solve it that way. I then tried hanging them via the hitch pin hole, same issue.. odd sizes and lengths and drops made it appear impossible.

Anyone conquered this odd organizational task?

 

[Buckgnarly]

I use heavy duty hooks like these screwed into the floor joists.....hang them by the balls. Man, that sounds bad!

 

[Gearhead00]

I don't use mine all that often, so I store them all in an old, larger plastic toolbox I had. they sit under the workbench in the box.

 

[coljar]

I have them in a drawer together, but the next time I run my shin into one in a parking lot because people are too lazy to remove them, I'd feel like throwing it through their window. You know that really hurts and you can't see them in the dark.

 

[Wallyman]

I don't use mine all that often, so I store them all in an old, larger plastic toolbox I had. they sit under the workbench in the box.

Unfortunately I have a couple that are too big for a toolbox (a step and a wide monster with two chain slots).

Anyone doing something like a shelf with grooves? That was something I contemplated but couldn't find a good way that wasn't a ton of work on an untested idea.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I keep the 4" drop w/ 2" ball in the truck. The rest sit on the firewood storage rack in the garage.

I have considered making a rack to lag to the wall with square tubing to slide them into. It'd look a rack of receivers for hitches to sit in.

 

[GRN96WS6]

Only have one with three different balls on it and it stays in my truck.

 

[mikec35]

I have considered making a rack to lag to the wall with square tubing to slide them into. It'd look a rack of receivers for hitches to sit in.

I thought of doing something similar, bolting (2) 2x6's together and cutting 2 inch square holes out to slide the hitches in. Mount it to the wall

 

[Ign]

Draw bars or ball mounts better terminology

I have a pile of them in the corner of my garage. Light duty to solid forged, drops of 2, 4 and 6", 2" and 2 5/16" balls.

I keep meaning to grab some 2.5" square and make a rack on the wall, but that has clearly not been a priority for the past 7 years as they're still on the floor.

 

[xyster101]

I have them in a drawer together, but the next time I run my shin into one in a parking lot because people are too lazy to remove them, I'd feel like throwing it through their window. You know that really hurts and you can't see them in the dark.

Why are you walking that close to the rear of other people's vehicles?
I like having mine on the back all the time because it is a good first line of defense if someone hits me. Oh you're texting? Here is a tow ball through your radiator.
Unfortunately the back up sensors don't work with the ball on the truck - First World Problems.

 

[APEowner]

I've found.that I really only use 4 drawbars. I keep three of them in one of the Rubbermaid tubs that I keep in the truck and the fourth stays in the receiver.

 

[Shadowdog500]

I keep them in a milk crate. My load leveling one stays by itself on a shelf in the shed.

Chris

 

[Thumper68]

I have them in a drawer together, but the next time I run my shin into one in a parking lot because people are too lazy to remove them, I'd feel like throwing it through their window. You know that really hurts and you can't see them in the dark.

I keep mine in the receiver because I use it every day or so. And if you insist on squeezing between the back of my truck and the car parked behind me leaving your dirty hand prints on my paint and glass then you deserve the shin smack.

Really some of us pull trailers often and it's not just being lazy.

 

[drivesitfar]

I seem to recall a thread in the fabrication forum where a few guys made trailer hitch trees to hold all their hitches. i'll try to look for it or if somebody else can find it before i do please post it.

if i remember correctly those guys each had maybe 10 hitches.

 

[volleyball]

Why are you walking that close to the rear of other people's vehicles?
I like having mine on the back all the time because it is a good first line of defense if someone hits me. Oh you're texting? Here is a tow ball through your radiator.
Unfortunately the back up sensors don't work with the ball on the truck - First World Problems.

But you could get ticketed for having that there. Maybe some defense lawyer could make it your fault as they would have stopped in time but you had that illegal mount on your vehicle. You know its the law to not have it mounted if you are not towing, right?

I remove mine when I won't be towing soon mostly to protect my shins or if I may worry about it walking away, or city street parking. Other than that I do risk tickets myself.

 

[over40pirate]

Just curious how many of you lock the draw bar to the receiver?
I was towing a flat bed trailer, with a pickup camper on it, across country, a few years ago. After coming out of a truck stop eatery, I did a walk around, and saw the clevis pin clip was missing!!! Since then, mine are locked!

 

[bigdav160]

You know its the law to not have it mounted if you are not towing, right?

Your State is ??????? It can't be Texas because everyone keeps a bar in the receiver.

My Dodge(s) have nice storage under the back seat. I keep them there.

 

[AnthonyJ124]

I keep a 2" behind the seat of my truck, then the other few are in a milk crate with all my tie downs. Toss the crate in the back and it's ready to go for whatever I need to do. I haven't found a need to display them all pretty-like... Though it would be cool. I just know they'd end up with extension cords hanging off them in my garage.

 

[n8n]

I use this

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000XLXWQ0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

to store the drawbar, pin, clip, balls, wrench etc.

just grab 'n' go

 

[LB-1911]

I'm always tripping over my receiver hitches when I am working in the shop and can't seem to find one when I need it. Last night I made these storage hangers out of scrap. Used a horizontal band saw, drill press, and MIG welder. Took less than an hour.


Shop Remodel 60 by Bib Overalls, on Flickr

Not much to the design. Could be made several different ways depending on what you have in your scrap pile.


Shop Remodel 61 by Bib Overalls, on Flickr

Jon Jacobs has a solution @
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=246942

 

[rslaback]

I'm interested to know the state law that makes it illegal to have them in the drawbar as well. Perhaps that law could also be used to get rid of those stupid *** truck nuts.

I keep mine side by side in the center of my crossover box. I don't use most of them that often so the one I normally use is in the receiver (apparently illegally) and the others are in the hardest to reach spot of the toolbox.

If anyone has a good method of storing a load leveling hitch I'd be interested in seeing it. That stupid thing is just awkward.

 

[PCO6]

Just curious how many of you lock the draw bar to the receiver?
I was towing a flat bed trailer, with a pickup camper on it, across country, a few years ago. After coming out of a truck stop eatery, I did a walk around, and saw the clevis pin clip was missing!!! Since then, mine are locked!

I always lock mine for that reason and to prevent theft when the trailer is not attached. When the trailer is attached I always lock the coupler. The risk of someone unlatching it is small of course but the consequences would be HUGE.

 

[APEowner]

You know its the law to not have it mounted if you are not towing, right?

I too would like to know what state or states have that law. I've never heard of that before.

I lock both the drawbar and the coupler because I've had the pins taken out of each of them. Fortunately I noticed it before either was an issue.

 

[9C1]

Your State is ??????? It can't be Texas because everyone keeps a bar in the receiver.

My Dodge(s) have nice storage under the back seat. I keep them there.

In Illinois it is illegal to have anything project more than 2-inches beyond your bumper. This law is not well enforced, but in the Rockford area it recently has been by local LEOs.
Terry

 

[LB-1911]

Unfortunately I have a couple that are too big for a toolbox (a step and a wide monster with two chain slots).

Anyone doing something like a shelf with grooves? That was something I contemplated but couldn't find a good way that wasn't a ton of work on an untested idea.

Might give you an idea to work with -
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1433613&postcount=23

 

[rslaback]

In Illinois it is illegal to have anything project more than 2-inches beyond your bumper. This law is not well enforced, but in the Rockford area it recently has been by local LEOs.
Terry

So are all hitch mounted cargo racks and bicycle racks illegal? What about rear mounted spare tires or van ladders?

 

[Farmall450]

I keep them in a milk crate. My load leveling one stays by itself on a shelf in the shed.

Chris

I keep my hitches in a milk crate in my toolbox....you realize the hitch reciever is bolted to the truck, right?

My dad just lines his up on a self in the garage....no truck toolbox for him.

 

[Farmall450]

So are all hitch mounted cargo racks and bicycle racks illegal? What about rear mounted spare tires or van ladders?

If they're loaded that's fine. If not, it's a no no.

People in this state were so stupid they'd walk into protruding hitches at the parking lot. Painting it neon orange negates this law.

 

[JBourquin]

It's been a bad rumor for years. There are currently no laws that I've seen about leaving a hitch in your vehicle. If your state has one please feel free to post it up.

 

[Zrexxer]

I too would like to know what state or states have that law. I've never heard of that before.

It sounds to me like another case of "my cousin's best friend's girlfriend overheard her orthodontist say that some guy at the grocery store said it was illegal, so I accepted it as fact and repeat it frequently on the internet."

 

[Farmall450]

It's been a bad rumor for years. There are currently no laws that I've seen about leaving a hitch in your vehicle. If your state has one please feel free to post it up.

It's not a rumor.
It's a law. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/Bil...&DocNum=3669&GAID=10&SessionID=76&LegID=46447

 

[Zrexxer]

It's not a rumor.
It's a law. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/Bil...&DocNum=3669&GAID=10&SessionID=76&LegID=46447

That's NOT a law. That was a bill that was introduced and then died in committee when the session ended.

 

[LB-1911]

In Illinois it is illegal to have anything project more than 2-inches beyond your bumper. This law is not well enforced, but in the Rockford area it recently has been by local LEOs.
Terry

Their fishing..... You may want to make the time and read-

People v. Gaytan, 2013 IL App (4th) 120217
May 21, 2013
http://www.state.il.us/court/Opinions/AppellateCourt/2013/4thDistrict/4120217.pdf

So are all hitch mounted cargo racks and bicycle racks illegal? What about rear mounted spare tires or van ladders?

Varies by state - YMMV in Wi.

January 14, 2010
COUNTY OF GRANT, PLAINTIFF-RESPONDENT,

V.

KALEENA E. COLLINS, DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.

https://www.wicourts.gov/ca/opinion/DisplayDocument.html?content=html&seqNo=45733


(2) Registration plates shall be attached firmly and rigidly in a horizontal position and conspicuous place. The plates shall at all times be maintained in a legible condition and shall be so displayed that they can be readily and distinctly seen and read. Any peace officer may require the operator of any vehicle on which plates are not properly displayed to display such plates as required by this section.

http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/341/I/15/2

 

[JBourquin]

It's not a rumor.
It's a law. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/Bil...&DocNum=3669&GAID=10&SessionID=76&LegID=46447

Sorry, that bill died January 2011. If an officer is writing you a ticket for that you damn well better be taking it to court.

 

[Farmall450]

That's NOT a law. That was a bill that was introduced and then died in committee when the session ended.

I'll have to find it on my computer not my phone...also out motor code prohibits anything that may obstruct the license plate...often hitches, I'm assuming this is on cars where people flip them around.

 

[Farmall450]

Sorry, that bill died January 2011. If an officer is writing you a ticket for that you damn well better be taking it to court.

I've never gotten one but I've heard of people that have. Especially in the metropolis like Rockford.

I think the officers have always given "warnings" though.

 

[JBourquin]

I can see it happening sometime i the future, seems a lot of states have been introducing it lately. I just haven't seen one that has made it as of yet. I know this same question pops up pretty frequently in a few of the automotive forums I visit.

 

[Zrexxer]

I'll have to find it on my computer not my phone...also out motor code prohibits anything that may obstruct the license plate...often hitches, I'm assuming this is on cars where people flip them around.

While you're searching, you might want to brush up on your understanding of the legislative process. Because what you cited did NOT become law.

 

[LB-1911]

I'll have to find it on my computer not my phone...also out motor code prohibits anything that may obstruct the license plate...often hitches, I'm assuming this is on cars where people flip them around.

I've never gotten one but I've heard of people that have. Especially in the metropolis like Rockford.

I think the officers have always given "warnings" though.

You too may want to make the time and read-

People v. Gaytan, 2013 IL App (4th) 120217

May 21, 2013

¶ 2 On appeal, defendant argues the trial court improperly denied the motion to suppress
evidence. Defendant asserts section 3-413(b) of the Illinois Vehicle Code (Vehicle Code)
(625 ILCS 5/3-413(b) (West 2010)) only prohibits materials physically attached to the
registration plate itself and not obstructions, such as a trailer hitch, not attached to the
registration plate.

We agree and reverse.


http://www.state.il.us/court/Opinions/AppellateCourt/2013/4thDistrict/4120217.pdf

 

[Farmall450]

While you're searching, you might want to brush up on your understanding of the legislative process. Because what you cited did NOT become law.

I pulled up a URL showing it wasn't a total hoax on my phone...