pins for hitch receiver/ball mount?

[jeffsw6]

I recently bought a Curt D900 ball mount. As you can see from the picture it is adjustable and needs several pins to hold it in place. Curt Multi-Ball Adjustable Ball Mount for 2" Trailer Hitches Curt Ball Mounts D900

What can I use in place of those pins to prevent some kid from walking by my truck and yanking them out? I'm not trying to stop a motivated thief who wants to rip off my hitch, just childish stuff that happens when your truck and trailer are parked and no one is looking.

I know wire rope with a crimp would work but that would make it impossible to adjust. I was thinking about a forged bolt & sleeve? If it takes a tool to adjust the thing that's fine with me since it would also take a tool for someone to vandalize it.

EDIT: I did see a lot of receiver locks online, but I don't really want a lock that is going to get stuck on me at an inconvenient time!

 

[JESSE1]

You could use some grade 8 bolts instead of the pins.

 

[Case485Guy]

Have a hitch like that, I use big key rings in place of the R/hitch pins. Wont stop someone from pulling the pins, but would take them longer.

 

[jeffsw6]

Take them longer is good enough for me. I will get some key chains. A spare set in the tool box should save my butt in case someone does take them when I'm out working. As long as the pieces of the hitch are still there anyway!

 

[JasG]

Why not just remove the hitch when not in use?

I was using mine daily for a few months so I never took it out during that time. It is now rusted in place and I can't remove it.

ADDED:

I see you are also worried about when the trailer is attached, I missed that the 1st read. You could safety wire them like they do bolts that people don't want to come loose.

 

[GUS FINK]

Yes you can remove your rusted in hitch
Weld a slam hammer to it heat the receiver tube and slam away it will come out

 

[Diamondpilot]

Yes you can remove your rusted in hitch
Weld a slam hammer to it heat the receiver tube and slam away it will come out

Not always. I tried pulling one out of a Astro Van once with a backhoe. Lifted the wheels off the ground. This was after it was heated. Also chained it to a telephone pole and yanked. Did not budge. Had to get a new hitch.

Just do the right thing and remove after use.

Chris

 

[slowzuki]

Yup when they rust in there good they are not coming out. We tryed to get one out, heated the hitch cherry red, the insert still wouldn't move with a 10 lb sledge. The one in our car did come out this way but it was only a 1" insert.

 

[murphy1244]

Not always. I tried pulling one out of a Astro Van once with a backhoe. Lifted the wheels off the ground. This was after it was heated. Also chained it to a telephone pole and yanked. Did not budge. Had to get a new hitch.

Just do the right thing and remove after use.

Chris

You could of sold tickets to that show>>>:laughing:

 

[newbury]

You might could use small padlocks like they use for luggage or just take zip-ties.

I use a lot of zip ties, they are really cheap and need a good knife to cut them off.