Remove your hitch.

[CurlyDave]

It seems the newer receivers ('13 GMC and '12 F150) are made looser so they wont get rusted in. The problem is the hitch insert then clunks around a bit when in use.

I had that problem with a motorhome I had. The way I solved it was I went to Home Depot and got two of the lightest gauge galvanized angles they had, the kind intended to be hailed onto a 2x4. A little work and I could insert them as shims on two corners of the stinger. No rattle, and they are galvanized. They are cheap. Replace if they start to rust.

 

[newbury]

I'm thinking I'm gonna go to a hardened bolt w/a nyloc nut or double nut. If someone takes the time to remove it, they can have it.

Just make sure you always inspect your hitch. It may just be urban legend but I've heard of the pin being pulled and the trailer drops pretty quick when one pulls away. Maybe no real damage but you've got to get the tongue back up.

I had that problem with a motorhome I had. The way I solved it was I went to Home Depot and got two of the lightest gauge galvanized angles they had, the kind intended to be hailed onto a 2x4. A little work and I could insert them as shims on two corners of the stinger. No rattle, and they are galvanized. They are cheap. Replace if they start to rust.

Good idea.
Have they ever fallen out?
Do you have a wire or chain on them so if they do fall out you still have them?

 

[ruffdog]

I had that problem with a motorhome I had. The way I solved it was I went to Home Depot and got two of the lightest gauge galvanized angles they had, the kind intended to be hailed onto a 2x4. A little work and I could insert them as shims on two corners of the stinger. No rattle, and they are galvanized. They are cheap. Replace if they start to rust.

I used a old license plate and flattened it in my press and it is the perfect thickness. I cut and bent it for two sides and drilled the one hole. No more rattle, it won't fall out, and the aluminum is easy to work with and won't corrode.

 

[tcartwri]

Illegal to leave your receiver in here, as well as leaving your tow mirrors extended. Has become a popular ticket.

 

[k0ua]

Illegal to leave your receiver in here, as well as leaving your tow mirrors extended. Has become a popular ticket.

What is the thinking for that law? I have never seen that around here. Almost everyone leaves theirs in if they tow much.

 

[Soundguy]

big brother, nanny state, bondage and discipline type law...

 

[JBourquin]

Some Democrat probably smacked their shin on one..

 

[newbury]

Illegal to leave your receiver in here, as well as leaving your tow mirrors extended. Has become a popular ticket.

Is that Ontario or Canada?

big brother, nanny state, bondage and discipline type law...

Not a state.

Some Democrat probably smacked their shin on one..

Do they have Democrats in Ontario?

 

[JBourquin]

Do they have Democrats in Ontario?

They do in NY, and it's illegal here.

Edit:

But now that I try to search the law it appears I may have been lied to.. Stay tuned..

 

[RollingsFarms]

I like to leave mine on for those idiots who are busy texting or talking on the phone while flying up on me and have to slam on the brakes because they started paying attention and realized the light was red. Then when they hit me I plan to open my door, fall to the ground and start hollering about my neck and back.

 

[tcartwri]

Is that Ontario

The mirror part is an Ontario thing. I think they call it the dodge law ....

 

[Soundguy]

Not a state.

nanny state is not specifically a ref to a 'state' but a ref to a governing body that overly meddles in private affairs.. ie.. micro managing it's subjects, citizens, etc..

 

[ejb69]

I'm thinking I'm gonna go to a hardened bolt w/a nyloc nut or double nut. If someone takes the time to remove it, they can have it.

I use a socket head bolt and a nyloc nut.

 

[bullbreaker]

Pulled mine off at beginning of thread cause of rust concerns as mentioned. Use to leave mine on for tailgaiters and for parking lot jerks that hit you and take off.

 

[ljohnson778]

I've had really good luck using a pressure washer on rusted in hitches. Just be sure to protect your eyes, crap flies everywhere...

 

[boggen]

thinking about it, i suppose i should, take out the hitch on the s10 blazer, and give a good greasing. i leave mine in year round, so every other mowing i move trailers out of the way and nock down the weeds. then pulling sprayer, or maybe a large limb that is down, easy enough to wrap chain around the ball and hitch, and go go go...

its easier for me just to undo the ball, if i need to hook up to a different size trailer, or hooking up the pull behind sprayer.

===================
old tried and true "PB blaster" it may take a couple days spraying, waiting, spraying, waiting, it has worked charms, on things i figure i would need to get out the cutting wheel or reciprocating saw and begin cutting away.

 

[CurlyDave]

Just make sure you always inspect your hitch. It may just be urban legend but I've heard of the pin being pulled and the trailer drops pretty quick when one pulls away. Maybe no real damage but you've got to get the tongue back up.


Good idea.
Have they ever fallen out?
Do you have a wire or chain on them so if they do fall out you still have them?

I set it up so the hitch pin retained them. They have never fallen out.

 

[Soundguy]

I set it up so the hitch pin retained them. They have never fallen out.

the zinc plated was a good idea.

 

[Flying MXZ]

They do in NY, and it's illegal here.

Edit:

But now that I try to search the law it appears I may have been lied to.. Stay tuned..

According to the local Sheriffs here it is not illegal. There was a big panic a year or 2 ago here so we checked and they said it is fine to leave them in.

 

[rd_macgregor]

Then when they hit me I plan to open my door, fall to the ground and start hollering about my neck and back.

Did you used to play soccer, by any chance?