Trailer hitch pin

[TMGT]

Knew a kid that died after the lose amp in the back seat cushed his skull in an accident, unless it's a pillow or equivalent it gets secured inside the cab.

 

[PILOON]

I have made many a pin and I like to use old car jack handles (lever/lug nut tool) as those handles are a nice hardened steel and just the right diameter.
While hardened they still can be drilled for the retaining pins. I usually weld a short flat on the undrilled end.

If I can qualify the metal by spark grinder test and drilling I'd say the jack handles are somewhere between grade 5 and 8 steel.
All I know is that they stand up to the job and when not returned there is no big loss. (my friend rents out 6-7 trailers and clients all too often forget to return the pins)

 

[scdeerslayer]

I use a locking pin. Keep one key in the truck on the key ring that has keys to trailers, gates, etc. The other key goes on the key ring with the spare truck key/fob in the house.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Use it as designed and leave it out till needed!

 

[Creamer]

The only problem is that you need a good storage solution until you need it. Unless you haul a toolbox around in your truck where do you safely store a big piece of iron?

 

[Diamondpilot]

The only problem is that you need a good storage solution until you need it. Unless you haul a toolbox around in your truck where do you safely store a big piece of iron?

I have bags for mine. In my wife's car I store it in the spare tire compartment. In my trucks it goes under the passengers seat.

My Nissan Titan was the best for this. There was a compartment for such items.

Chris

 

[Creamer]

Under the passenger's seat is not good. Most accidents start with a rapid deceleration which will cause that mass to slide forward out from under the seat. Then if the vehicle rolls you have no idea where it is going.

This is why I mentioned a safe place to store it - most trucks do not have one.

 

[bdog]

Under the passenger's seat is not good. Most accidents start with a rapid deceleration which will cause that mass to slide forward out from under the seat. Then if the vehicle rolls you have no idea where it is going.

This is why I mentioned a safe place to store it - most trucks do not have one.

I am not a safety sally but this is a very valid point. A receiver hitch is the last thing I want bouncing around in the cab with me if I am in a wreck.

 

[kf4uda]

Just for kicks, I did a google search for "where to store your receiver hitch". The first result was this Introducing Stor-A-Hitch It shows mounting in the bed but I guess you could mount it anywhere (in the cab, under the hood). This would stop the loose hitch from killing me but what about the other 30 things in there

 

[bigtiller]

That's a great idea. I'll have to rummage through the scrap pile and see what i come up with.