Hitch Pins

[SPYDERLK]

The hitch pins I use are locking ones...they have a set of 4 digit combination wheels on the end to retain the pin.

Very interesting. How much experience do you have with them? Darkness could be a problem for sure. But Im much more worried about dust and grease.
Thanks!
larry

 

[Raspy]

I used to use one of those lockng pins for all the same reasons. It worked just fine. A little squirt of WD40 once in a while should keep it working just fine. As long as it doesn't fall apart and let the pin move it is a good choice and I always have an LED flashlight handy to see at night.

 

[Skyco]

Very interesting. How much experience do you have with them? Darkness could be a problem for sure. But Im much more worried about dust and grease.
Thanks!
larry

The combo ones I've had several years with no issues, they do come with a vinyl cover that slides on/off to keep most crud out of them. Darkness- they can be opened by feel as the 0 (zero) position has tabs on them, one can count clicks by feel if necessary. One of the handiest things I've ever carried though is the small LED coin cell light on my key chain. Especially as I age and find I need more light to see even in not quite dark conditions:thumbsup:

 

[Diamondpilot]

They may work in the south but try them in salt country and you will be breaking out the torch to burn them off. I have had 4 or 5 that I have had to remove. Its not a fun job.

Chris

 

[schmism]

They may work in the south but try them in salt country and you will be breaking out the torch to burn them off. I have had 4 or 5 that I have had to remove. Its not a fun job.

Chris

i have a diffrent style key lock version which has held up well for the past 7 years or so.

came with a little rubber condom for the key end which lasted a few years and did work at keeping the winter spooge out which is the real issue.

 

[Skyco]

They may work in the south but try them in salt country and you will be breaking out the torch to burn them off. I have had 4 or 5 that I have had to remove. Its not a fun job.

Chris

Agreed- maybe keep em doused with Fluid Film? I'm sure glad I don't have to deal with that salt, spent a week in Canada one winter and my truck rusted more in that week than it had in 10 years at home:shocked:

 

[Diamondpilot]

Agreed- maybe keep em doused with Fluid Film? I'm sure glad I don't have to deal with that salt, spent a week in Canada one winter and my truck rusted more in that week than it had in 10 years at home:shocked:

I hear ya. Most of the ones I have had to cut off for customers and my father were the keyed type but I have had to cut off 2 combo ones.

Around here you take your draw bar out. First off is my shins and garage wall take a beating with them in. Second is they rust in. I had one on a Chevy Van that was so rusted in that I could not pull it out by chaining it to a tree and yanking. Yes, I had the pin out. We tried PB Blaster and heat from a torch and nothing worked. I also had a guy try pull it out with a back hoe and he actually lifted the rear tires of the van off the ground yanking on it. We had to cut the hitch off with the torch.

Chris

 

[SPYDERLK]

Bruteforce can be futile. I have had good luck with heat, lube, and sharp [not massive] blows. Once it moves a little just work it.
larry

 

[dstig1]

Second is they rust in. I had one on a Chevy Van that was so rusted in that I could not pull it out by chaining it to a tree and yanking. Yes, I had the pin out.
Chris

:laughing: Just like calling your PC's tech support: "Is it plugged in? Is it turned on? Was the hitch pin removed?" :laughing::laughing::laughing:

 

[ahlkey]

Thanks everyone for your comments. I now feel more confident with going with the standard 5/8 hitch pin and I will make sure it new and not rusted. Up here is salt country you get a lot of rust. I do see you can get a standard 5/8 hitch pin with a clip that has a wire cable attached to it. If I position it right and wrap it back it seems that would provide a little more protection without being tight against the clip coming off. Have to say though if the clip is strong can't see that coming off. I normally push the clip all the way through the 5/8 hitch pin rather than in the middle position. Not sure that if that is normal but I have to think it has less chance of be being popped off than if held in the middle position. Up here in northern Wisconsin when logging I can get into some really bumpy off-road work.