Remove your hitch.

[dstig1]

You hit my hitch, it's yours.

Even if you left it sticking over the line (most likely completely unintended...)? Like I said, I see this attitude a lot. I had a guy rear end me one day on an off ramp in my Wife's explorer with a receiver (no ball installed). Low speed impact from him not paying full attention at a stop light (stop and go). Damage? His license plate got dented by the receiver. No damage on my vehicle. Told him to pay more attention and we left. Why would I think it is OK to disable him by puncturing his rad in the name of keeping my vehicle pristine? Making life difficult for everyone else is not being a positive member of society. And yes, people can easily walk into a hitch in a parking lot without ever realizing it was there. If you simply look at this thread and the number of people who say they take theirs out because THEY have run into it, should give you a clue. Those people even KNOW it is in there!!! I'm glad everyone who leaves them in is perfect. Makes it like I shouldn't have my opinion....

 

[DuckSlayer1017]

Ouch, that's scary. I have to switch between 2" and 2 5/16" often enough that it's not a problem, but the main reason I remove it when not in use is so I don't gouge my shin!

Second that. Not much hurts worse than busting your shin on the ball carrier. Especially since you know it's your fault it was there.

 

[Degolyerent]

I'll give an opposing view point. This will be popular with some ... To everyone who has said in defense of leaving the hitch in "well don't drive into me then!" ... Are you perfect? You've never dinged into anyone with it while backing up perhaps? The biggest problem with these is in parking lots. You back up a little too far and crunch. But you've never done that. A person pulling into a tight parking spot cannot see that your hitch is sticking out over the line since it is below visible level once you start pulling in and they are trying to squeeze in and looking at their sides back and forth to make sure they hit nobody and then crunch. Not your fault..or is it? Then trying to leave your car, and you have to walk between a couple cars to get out into the lane. Whack on the shins from something no typical person would look for. Still not your fault, right? Not a fan of the nanny state, but if people were responsible and thought of the effect they could have on others, then this would never be a problem. But then that is exactly what you are complaining about with oblivious others running into you. Shoe fits on both feet. An innocent party can easily be damaged by this, and the easy fix it to remove it if you aren't using it. You still have the entire receiver there to help protect the rear end. Now if you use it every day or every other day, I have no beef with leaving it in, but many people I talk to on this who leave them in long term have the same attitude I see here among some folks " up yours! I don't want my vehicle damaged" and actually use it rarely for towing. No respect for anyone else. Hard to complain about the coarsening of society when you are contributing to it, IMHO.

Yep it is a pet peeve of mine, and to me, shows a lack of consideration for others around you. I drive respectfully, let people merge in, signal my turns/lane changes and try to contribute to keeping life and traffic flowing smoothly and safely. I expect the flame-o-grams imminently.

You parking up against my vehicle is a lack of consideration on your part not mine. If you don't watch where you are going, is that my fault? And a pet peeve ?? Get a life and have some responsibility and don't blame others for your poor judgement and bad vision.

 

[ljohnson778]

You hit my hitch, it's yours. Even if you left it sticking over the line (most likely completely unintended...)? Like I said, I see this attitude a lot. I had a guy rear end me one day on an off ramp in my Wife's explorer with a receiver (no ball installed). Low speed impact from him not paying full attention at a stop light (stop and go). Damage? His license plate got dented by the receiver. No damage on my vehicle. Told him to pay more attention and we left. Why would I think it is OK to disable him by puncturing his rad in the name of keeping my vehicle pristine? Making life difficult for everyone else is not being a positive member of society. And yes, people can easily walk into a hitch in a parking lot without ever realizing it was there. If you simply look at this thread and the number of people who say they take theirs out because THEY have run into it, should give you a clue. Those people even KNOW it is in there!!! I'm glad everyone who leaves them in is perfect. Makes it like I shouldn't have my opinion....

Right... Kinda like "I don't mow my lawn, I'm pissed that there's tall grass" or "I don't plow my driveway, I'm pissed that I got stuck"

Again, personal responsibility...

 

[FTG-05]

Who said anything about being perfect? You don't have to be perfect to pay attention, you just have to pay attention.

It's not hard.

 

[Deere Dude]

The thing that gets my attention the most is a gnarly pintle hook out of the back of someones truck. I stay very clear of them and I would suspect anyone who is paying attention would to. It is hard to pay attention when you are trying to take that call or text something in a hurry.
As far as parking, I'm the guy who is parked far away from other cars when possible.

I had personalized plates that seemed to always get dinged up until I started leaving a Pintle hook in. It hasn't happened since then and cars generally keep their distance.

I don't want to see anyone wreck their car on my hitch, but if they do through their own inattentiveness, to bad.

 

[Soundguy]

Are you perfect? You've never dinged into anyone with it while backing up perhaps? .

not yet.



.

A person pulling into a tight parking spot cannot see that your hitch is sticking out over the line since it is below visible level .

So let me get this straight. because they don't take the time to look where they are going, and pull in and hit something that is 100% visible to a sighted person who passed the eye exam to get their license. it is somehow NOT their fault for not being in control of their vehicle? Good thing that wasn't a baby standing at the edge of the back of my truck they ran over not seeing it, instead of my hitch!

Bottom line.. this is a personal responsibility thing.

Know the outter limits of your vehicle, be aware of the OD of your vehicle, and the ID of the space. Approach from a sufficient angle so as to pull in without touching objects other than the pavement!

What happens when you find a space that is a lil too cramped because someone is over the line? as a RESPONSIBLE driver.. you PASS that spot and find a VALID one to park in that doesn't make CRUNCH or SCREECH sounds when you pull your vehicle in!

Walk that extra 10'.. if you can't walk.. get one of those neat tags that lets you park up close in the spots that are extra extra wide.. should be good to go!

just saying!

 

[Soundguy]

Why would I think it is OK to disable him by puncturing his rad in the name of keeping my vehicle pristine? Making life difficult for everyone else is not being a positive member of society. :

you are missing one thing.

if he hit you. YOU are not puncturing his radiator. HE is puncturing his radiator!

having a ball and hitch on or not is not a moral condition to punish someone running into you... it is simply a matter of fact. a state of being... them hitting you is them not paying attention.. or perhaps someone hitting them pushing them into you.. in which case it's the 3rd party that is at fault.. etc.. etc..

If i am walking and do not pay attention and trip and fall into a table.. the table did nothing 'evil' being there.. if i am walking, don't pay attention, and trip and fall into you, and get hurt doing so.. you did nothing evil being there.

someone just didn't pay attention. ( hint: personal responsability.. a very rare state of mind these days!!! )

 

[bcp]

But if you take it out and get rear-ended, it is still your fault for have a long bed instead of a short bed.

Bruce

 

[Egon]

Some places, by law, you have to take the hitch out if it is not being used.

One would think a vehicle should be as compatible as possible to avoid personal injury or material damage to others.