Leave Hitch In Receiver?

[KubotaSteve]

I'm with Bird on this one too. And for those of you who leave those hitches in, watch out for someone who has a good attorney. I can smell a lawsuit cooking. If you have a hitch sticking out and someone walking runs into it, there could be possible liability especially with our legal system today.
I think this falls under the same deal as someone using well casing for their mailbox post and a car going twice the speed limit hits it and the person is killed or injured really bad. Yes it was his fought for speeding but it was also your fought having that hazard there.
Also do you check your hitch before you pull out each time, because that thing sticking out there is inviting to some kids pulling pranks such as hooking a garden hose around it or chain to the parking meter.

 

[RayH]

I'm with Bird on this one too. And for those of you who leave those hitches in, watch out for someone who has a good attorney. I can smell a lawsuit cooking. If you have a hitch sticking out and someone walking runs into it, there could be possible liability especially with our legal system today.
I think this falls under the same deal as someone using well casing for their mailbox post and a car going twice the speed limit hits it and the person is killed or injured really bad. Yes it was his fought for speeding but it was also your fought having that hazard there.
Also do you check your hitch before you pull out each time, because that thing sticking out there is inviting to some kids pulling pranks such as hooking a garden hose around it or chain to the parking meter.

Hi Steve,
If I have an equally good attorney, hes countering for aggravated, attempted vandalism for kicking my vehicle. Im the only one that needs to be hitting my shins on the hitch, no one else should be within 8" of my vehicle, besides, I think you are aloud to have something projecting from the rear of your vehicle 2' before having to flag it.

 

[firemanpat2910]

Lawsuits and theft. Its a shame they have anything to do with this discussion, but I guess its the world we live in today? I need to upgrade to the SS 3 size push pin style ball. I have the plain metal and have to tap the pin out with a hammer, but saw my buddy push his SS out with a twig.

 

[Highbeam]

I started leaving my hitch in the receiver since reading this thread. No pile of debris out by my parking spot yet and no shin bumps either. I find myself in the mood to tow more often though.

 

[slaveToHorses]

shins on the hitch, no one else should be within 8" of my vehicle, besides, I think you are aloud to have something projecting from the rear of your vehicle 2' before having to flag it.

You mean like those horns on the front of Texas Cadillacs?

 

[fractal]

I take mine out. Not only to save my shins but to reduce the possibility of damage to others. I too am all about minimizing damage to everyone, myself and those around me. I have whacked my legs on my own hitch as well as others when trying to get through a parking lot. Those things are down right dangerous.

 

[sandman2234]

I need to upgrade to the SS 3 size push pin style ball. I have the plain metal and have to tap the pin out with a hammer, but saw my buddy push his SS out with a twig.

Firemanpat,
Due to the nature of Stainless Steel to gall, I would tend to reconsider your statement. It may not be the fact that it was S/S, but another reason, such as the age, frequency of use, weight during use, or any other of many reasons. Stainless will weather better, but doesn't always wear better, if that makes sense.
Proper lubication or spray on clear protection might be the best answer.
David from jax

 

[ShookFarm]

Having posted to this thread previously, I want to clarify something. I'm not leaving my hitch in to "cause" anyone intentional or unintentional damage (I'm pretty sure schmism's response was "tongue in cheek").

I have had two vehicles involved in three accidents (none with my truck, yet). Two of those accidents were with drivers who could not produce proof of insurance. I assume it was because they had none. I don't fight it or worry about it, that's what my insurance company does for me. However, at a current - for me - 66% of drivers not having insurance, I will protect myself and keep my receiver bar in.

It's not about causing someone else harm at all. It's about protection for a $30,000+ vehicle from some loser who buys a $4500, 150,000 mile Buick at the local salvage/rebuild shop and doesn't give a hoot about buying insurance.

Our monster pickups do lots more damage with the front bumper when we do something bone headed than we'll ever do with the receiver bar, if you know what I mean!

Litigation, we can start a whole new thread on that one. Just wait until you have an accident while pulling a heavily loaded trailer. You'd better hope your combined weight doesn't subject you to commercial restrictions and regulations. In that vein, worrying about a suit regarding a receiver bar is inconsequential.

 

[SunnyDaye]

If you have a hitch sticking out and someone walking runs into it,

KubotaSteve, So are they walking or running?

I take mine out each time and stick it in a waste basket in the back of my truck. I used a bucket for awhile but it tipped over alot. I also keep a couple tie downs, a towing strap, and a small grease gun in it. Keeps everything within easy reach.

Re: Accidents/ My wife had a pickup with a hitch roll back into her Mustang's front bumper and it poked out a hole that looked just like a hitch! It looked so cool I wanted to leave it there. My wife didn't agree and the pick-up driver had to pay about $1100.00 damage, whereas without the hitch, would have hardly made a mark. Go figure.

 

[masscity]

A few year back I put a 2" drop trailer hitch on my 4x4 Dodge diesel without a ball, nothing to tow.
Two weeks after I put it in a young kid hit me and put a nice V in the front bumper of a F150 2 wheel (probably his Dad's truck).
For some reason I never hit my shins on the hitch. I'm 5'7" and it's handy to stand on it to reach in the back of my truck and grab something. Also while I was still working I used it to scrape the mud off of my boots.

I'm leaving the Detroit area and moving (I will tow a trailer)to our 140 acre farm in the UP of Michigan. I needed a good drop hitch for my truck and bought a Anderson alluminum ultrahitch with 3 balls, 1 7/8", 2" and 2 5/16"(weighs 18 lbs). The hitch is alluminum, but is rated 10,000 lb and 1500 lb tongue weight. This isn't an advertisement, but if you want to check it out, here's the link //ultrahitch.rpmsolutions.biz/. I don't know how to post a link, sorry.

Ed