Hitch receiver storage ?

[liliysdad]

Its illegal to leave it mounted when not in use in MA (where I grew up), so I always pull mine. It tends to either live with the trailer or in my garage

I thought it was similar in at least some other states, but a quick Google search says MA is on its own with this, unless it's blocking the plate

That's interesting, I had never heard of such a thing.

I hate having to track down a hitch, and I pull a trailer enough that it's just easier to leave it in. If I am just dragging stuff around town, the 3-way works fine. If I am hauling something heavy, or long distance, I have other hitches set up for those trailers; different drops, sway control, etc. During the winter and muddy months, I often keep a hitch with a D-ring in it to pull folks out, or be pulled out myself.

 

[Steve W.]

I have a medium-duty metal shelf next to my overhead door that is about a foot back from the edge. I cut some 2x4s to fit front-to-back under the shelf, then drilled 3/8" holes in the end of the shelf and into the blocks. After spacing the blocks about 6" from the edge, I ran some all-thread through the holes into the blocks, with jamb nuts holding them in place. Leaving about 3-4" off the edge of the shelf works well to hold two ball mounts per shelf. The lighter ones used on the motorcyle are on the upper shelf, the heavier ones used on the mini-van are on the lower shelf. I can provide pictures is anyone is interested.

.

 

[Badhabit]

Biggest problem with leaving them in, is that many end up being rusted in place. Lots of fun getting them out when the need arises

 

[liliysdad]

Biggest problem with leaving them in, is that many end up being rusted in place. Lots of fun getting them out when the need arises

Not a concern for a large part of the United States...but that would definitely ****.

 

[67CarGuy]

Its illegal to leave it mounted when not in use in MA (where I grew up), so I always pull mine. It tends to either live with the trailer or in my garage

I thought it was similar in at least some other states, but a quick Google search says MA is on its own with this, unless it's blocking the plate

Huh. As a current MA resident I was unaware of this... and my personal observation is that this is not a primary offense, which is okay with me...

 

[ATC]

Its illegal to leave it mounted when not in use in MA (where I grew up), so I always pull mine. It tends to either live with the trailer or in my garage

I thought it was similar in at least some other states, but a quick Google search says MA is on its own with this, unless it's blocking the plate

My family in NY always said it was illegal there too.

I always left mine in when visiting either way.

 

[racecougar]

Fabed & welded a storage receiver under bed. Saves my knees, saves knees of the innocent.

 

[Copymutt]

Thanks, securing pin can still accept a padlock.
Surprised no one has mentioned theft of hitches.

 

[ATC]

I still have one in the truck, and two on the floor. One was just too big to fit in the area I used...one of those cheap adjustable ones from HF.

 

[PoorUB]

Fabed & welded a storage receiver under bed. Saves my knees, saves knees of the innocent.

Not something I want flying around the cab while meeting new people. Got tired of climbing in & out of the bed to get it. I suspect most that are left sticking out of the receiver are there due to the hassle of what to do w/ it & disrespect for fellow pedestrians. The only downside I see is no damage to the tailgater's radiator.

Not a bad idea, but I would rather get my hitch out of the weather. Plus if you don't tow for six months, in this country you would never get it out again! A few months in our winters with road salt and it would be one piece!

I was thinking of welding up something for inside the box. Mount it on the side, right by the tail gate. I have a tonneau cover so it is some what protected from sticky fingers and the weather.

 

[liliysdad]

Plus if you don't tow for six months, in this country you would never get it out again!

Six months? I cant go a couple weeks without dragging something around.

Surprised no one has mentioned theft of hitches.

I’ve never had one stolen in Lord knows how many years.

 

[PoorUB]

At least in my case, I have 4 vehicles and 3 trailers. I have 8 ball mounts kicking around. There are a couple that are no longer in use, but that might change in the future

I solved that issue by buying an adjustable, two ball hitch. I have one light duty trailer that had a 1-7/8" hitch. That hitch got replaced to a 2" hitch. I just about bought a hitch to fit a larger trailer then figured it made more sense to buy one that fits all.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004SMGAJ6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[backupbeeper]

Always on the Truck, always ready to go. Fits all my trailers and most of my friends.



It's pretty rural hear. Many, if not most, trucks used for towing (ie: not grocery getters) around here have the ball in the receiver all of the time. I'd never heard of removing it when not in use but I learned in another thread on GJ that there are places where that is frowned on. Kind of inconvenient but if you have a place to stow it and it's available when you need it, removing it is probably not a problem.

Which brand / model is this ?

 

[ATC]

I solved that issue by buying an adjustable, two ball hitch. I have one light duty trailer that had a 1-7/8" hitch. That hitch got replaced to a 2" hitch. I just about bought a hitch to fit a larger trailer then figured it made more sense to buy one that fits all.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004SMGAJ6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I don't like adjustable hitches, and the prices are outrageous.

 

[PoorUB]

I don't like adjustable hitches, and the prices are outrageous.

What is less money? One adjustable, or eight fixed hitches and balls?

I have zero issues with running an adjustable. I have been running them for years. I pulled a trailer about 30,000 miles in 2020.

 

[ATC]

What is less money? One adjustable, or eight fixed hitches and balls?

I have zero issues with running an adjustable. I have been running them for years. I pulled a trailer about 30,000 miles in 2020.

Eight fixed if you catch them on sale (pre-covid prices)

TSC just clearanced their towing section out....lots of mounts and balls for $20-30

 

[ipgenie]

Which brand / model is this ?

Andersen Rapid Hitch, made here in Idaho. Only sticks out a few inches and if you really want to remove the ball, you can leave the larger piece in the receiver and it doesn't really stick out much at all. It takes maybe 20 seconds to have either size ball at whatever height you need. Rated for 10,000LB with the larger ball and a few different drop lengths to choose from.






I've got three of them I bought used via Craigslist over the years for $75 to $100 each.

ANDERSEN HITCHES | Rapid Hitch | Best Adjustable Ball Mount | 6" Drop/Rise, 2 - 2-5/16" Plate Steel Dual Ball | Fits 2" Receiver | 3410 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XWNLNPK?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[backupbeeper]

What is less money? One adjustable, or eight fixed hitches and balls?

I have zero issues with running an adjustable. I have been running them for years. I pulled a trailer about 30,000 miles in 2020.

Oh and one of the trucks I have has the 2 and a half receiver that in rare occasions pulls a trailer that weighs 12k

and the other 5 have the 2 inch receiver and pull a couple
Thousand pounds except the expedition that occasionally pulls the small trailers and the 18 foot car hauler with dead cars on it .

Weird how the prices are so different

The same aluma tow adjustable hitch that’s $300 at tractor supply is $160 on Amazon

 

[kabinenroller]

Leaving the draw bar and ball in the receiver should be illegal in every state. ( with a stiff penalt) It is just laziness to not remove it and store it somewhere. I am sure if there was an accident and the drawbar caused damage the vehicles insurance company would have something to say about it not be removed. ( now the hate comments will start, but I don’t care)

 

[whateg01]

Leaving the draw bar and ball in the receiver should be illegal in every state. ( with a stiff penalt) It is just laziness to not remove it and store it somewhere. I am sure if there was an accident and the drawbar caused damage the vehicles insurance company would have something to say about it not be removed. ( now the hate comments will start, but I don’t care)

What about towing mirrors? How many people have walked into those in the parking lot? Should those also have to be brought in? /S

 

[78jeep02]

I made a hitch tree that works well. Took 8 or so 2” receivers and welded them in various positions on a piece of vertical steel tube.

 

[bb29510]

mine are laying in the dirt, up against the bldg wall. been there 23 years

 

[liliysdad]

Leaving the draw bar and ball in the receiver should be illegal in every state. ( with a stiff penalt) It is just laziness to not remove it and store it somewhere. I am sure if there was an accident and the drawbar caused damage the vehicles insurance company would have something to say about it not be removed. ( now the hate comments will start, but I don’t care)

Why does this bother you so much? I’ve never once been inconvenienced, let alone became angry, over a hitch.

And no, insurance companies don’t care. Even a little.

 

[Bert_]

Leaving the draw bar and ball in the receiver should be illegal in every state. ( with a stiff penalt) It is just laziness to not remove it and store it somewhere. I am sure if there was an accident and the drawbar caused damage the vehicles insurance company would have something to say about it not be removed. ( now the hate comments will start, but I don’t care)

I've got drawbars that aren't made to come out. How do you feel about that?

 

[ATC]

Leaving the draw bar and ball in the receiver should be illegal in every state. ( with a stiff penalt) It is just laziness to not remove it and store it somewhere. I am sure if there was an accident and the drawbar caused damage the vehicles insurance company would have something to say about it not be removed. ( now the hate comments will start, but I don’t care)

Mine lives in my truck. It has saved my rear bumper multiple times. I certainly do wonder what the insurance company thinks about me saving them money?

 

[JeepYJ]

Mine lives in my truck. It has saved my rear bumper multiple times. I certainly do wonder what the insurance company thinks about me saving them money?

If your hitch causes more damage to the other vehicle then it maybe isn’t saving them money?

 

[racecougar]

What about towing mirrors? How many people have walked into those in the parking lot? Should those also have to be brought in? /S

Absotively! And put your rubber band tires back under your fenders, too! This is right up there with rock lights and squatted trucks.

 

[backupbeeper]

Leaving the draw bar and ball in the receiver should be illegal in every state. ( with a stiff penalt) It is just laziness to not remove it and store it somewhere. I am sure if there was an accident and the drawbar caused damage the vehicles insurance company would have something to say about it not be removed. ( now the hate comments will start, but I don’t care)

Pretty sure there’s a law against following too close in most states …

Every hitch company makes a small bumper that plugs into the receiver , just to keep from someone folkowing too close and texting while driving from damaging the actual bumper on your truck when they hit you .

Course they are all too light weight to protect anything

A friend of mine made something similar to this , out of really thick steel for his truck after he he got rear ended the third time in a year .

He made one with the bottom step even with the top step

The bottom one in this picture sticking out further would just cause damage to the frame when some bozo hits it .




The tail lights in the new trucks are $1500-1900 and have to be programmed by the stealership before they will work after you install them .

and the F-150s won’t crank if you smash the tail light or it gets water inside .

It shorts out the can-bus computer **** and the truck won’t crank .

That’s all
You need to make your day is some one whose too busy texting to watch where they are driving ,and has no insurance or the state minimum insurance , to bash the tail lights on your new pickup .

Some states minimum insurance is like $10k

No way that’s gonna cover two new computer taillights and that fancy new six piece tailgate

Gonna keep my 2006 rig forever .

Two new tail lights cost more than I paid for the truck five years ago .

 

[liliysdad]

Pretty sure there’s a law against following too close in most states …

I can only speak to my specific state.....but if you rearend someone, you are at fault 100% of the time. There may be situations that will cause to person you hit to share some liability on the civil side, but that is situational and relatively rare. In no circumstance doe the presence of a hitch in a receiver factor into this in any way.

 

[Wes Tex]

My son, who lives in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, leaves his RV style hitch in the receiver all the time. He has been rear-ended three times in heavy traffic. He has driven off every time. The last time he drove away, but the insurance totaled his truck because of frame damage. He said the vehicles that hit him were towed away. He views his hitch like a reverse "cow catcher" seen on old time locomotives. I store my hitches on the floor in the corner of my shop.

 

[backupbeeper]

I can only speak to my specific state.....but if you rearend someone, you are at fault 100% of the time. There may be situations that will cause to person you hit to share some liability on the civil side, but that is situational and relatively rare. In no circumstance doe the presence of a hitch in a receiver factor into this in any way.

And a dashcam is worth it’s weight in gold if, make that , when , you get involved in an accident .


If there was something in front of the car you rear ended that caused them to hit the brakes , it could lessen your liability .

Mine saved me when someome
Rear ended me and knocked me into the vehicle in front of me , then tried to say they hit me because I hit the car in front of me first .

If you don’t have a dash cam in every wi file vehicle , get one !

There is just no excuse not to have one .
Even the nice ones are under $200

I reccomend the Garmin ,
It’s very user friendly and easy to Bluetooth the video to your phone so you can show the responding officers before they start writing tickets .

I started out with a couple of dashcams that were a giant pain in the *** to download the video .
You had to have a laptop with a chip reader slot to see the video .



But if you hit rear end someone it just means you didn’t have the proper safe following distance or just flat were not paying attention .

 

[gtsonoma]

I am planning on making a rack w/ 5/8 dowels (same size as the hitch pin), but haven't determined where it'll go yet. I'll also need to space some of the bigger ones off the wall a little, so I might use threaded rod and add jam nuts.

Make them 1/2", it will be easier to get them off / on

 

[Copymutt]

Had front damage to two parallel parked vehicles do to drivers incapable of parallel parking trucks w/ hitch installed. First one was my 55 Chevy. 2nd was a Subaru. Good samaritan wrote down the license # of the offender. Still believe its way too easy to get a drivers license in this country.

 

[CoogarXR]

Thanks, securing pin can still accept a padlock.
Surprised no one has mentioned theft of hitches.

I always keep my drawbar inside, under the seat. Just because, you know, ohio, it'll rust in place in no time.

But funny you mention theft. Somebody stole my "Reese" rubber plug that covers the hitch socket while my wife was at the doctors office.

 

[whateg01]

My son, who lives in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, leaves his RV style hitch....

What is an RV style hitch?

 

[Bert_]

And a dashcam is worth it’s weight in gold if, make that , when , you get involved in an accident .


If there was something in front of the car you rear ended that caused them to hit the brakes , it could lessen your liability.

But if you hit rear end someone it just means you didn’t have the proper safe following distance or just flat were not paying attention .

Simple as that, if I rear end someone it is my fault because I was following too close or not paying attention. Does not matter what happened in front of them.

 

[Farmall450]

Make them 1/2", it will be easier to get them off / on

Good point, I was thinking of that last night. Plus they can slightly slope backwards then too to resist falling off the rack.

Similar to how they hang up in the store.

 

[racecougar]

I really like the rack ATC posted above.

 

[PoorUB]

Simple as that, if I rear end someone it is my fault because I was following too close or not paying attention. Does not matter what happened in front of them.

So, If I change lanes right in front of you with less than a car length and slam on the brakes it is your fault?

 

[backupbeeper]

So, If I change lanes right in front of you with less than a car length and slam on the brakes it is your fault?

It is unless you have a dashcam ….