What do the truck and trailer gurus think of this?

[JB4310]

Wasn't there a thread about a guy that got a ticket or had to pay for damage someone did to their car cause they sideswiped his hitch in a parking lot?

JB.

 

[not2old]

I leave in my light duty 2' ball. I've never barked my shins on it. I do take out my heavy duty 2 5/16 right after I un-hitch. There is a very big difference in how far they protrude.

 

[RoMad]

A friend of mine put one of these Amazon.com: Hitch Doktor, is the Ultimate Trailer Hitch "Shin" Protector. Made of long lasting durable Vinyl Coated Foam Rubber. UV Resistant. Slips over most Trailer Hitch Ball and Nut. No need to remove it when towing. Nothing to keep track of when on his hitch on his suburban and it really worked well.

 

[powerstroke444e]

I had a cushin bumper on several trucks and they pulled real nice. And the one time i got rearended the van that hit me was trashed and in the cab of the truck I hardly felt a thing.
I think that something like this makes sense and I wish we all cars could take a 10mph hit with no damage.

 

[timswi]

I hear ya. My biggest pet peeve for trucks is leaving the ball and mount in the receiver. I have torn up so many shins and ruined pants its not funny. Mine always come out the second I unhitch.

I have also dealt with two that were so rusted in nothing could get them out and the hitches were trashed.

Chris

Fully agree with that Chris...My ball mount comes out the as soon as the truck is far enough from the trailer to pull it out...That is painful whacking your shin on those...Why people leave them in all of the time is beyond me. Most of them look rusted beyond use.

 

[Rancher Ed]

Fully agree with that Chris...My ball mount comes out the as soon as the truck is far enough from the trailer to pull it out...That is painful whacking your shin on those...Why people leave them in all of the time is beyond me. Most of them look rusted beyond use.

We leave ours in because our trailers are parked in many different locations and we are not going to put the greasey ball in the cab. Ours only stick out 6-8" and it is just something you know is there and don't walk right next to the back of the truck. We do take the WD one out of the Ex when we unhook the traval trailer but it sticks out ~12" and you don't have a tailgate that sticks out past it when getting stuff in or out of it. To each their own.

Ed

 

[mjncad]

JD4310,
This Curt Adjustable Tri-Ball Mount - JCWhitney doesn't come out of mine either. Makes for a great deterrent.
T-Man.

That looks like my Buyers' brand mount. I sure like that heavy beast; but it stays in the cab in its box until I need it. They sure do stick out a ways.

For giggles I thought about making a tailgater deterrent device out of heavy wall pipe and some spikes protruding out the back; but being cheap and possibly breaking some law somewhere kept me from making it.

 

[20 20]

I agree. But it's suprising to me how many people think they're doing something smart or cute by leaving it in the receiver in hopes of damaging someone else's vehicle IF they should be rear ended. Hopefully such people only damage their own shins.:laughing:

So it's okay to tail gate and shame on someone for leaving their ball in their hitch? I understand what you're saying Bird about someone just being nasty but if "the victim" is tail gating are they not just as much at fault? I know up here tail gating is becomming a major problem. I really enjoy those that need to be up my _____ while doing 55-60 on a motorcycle{myself on the bike} while headin down the highway{sarcasm }. Maybe those that tailgate don't think it's a big deal, but getting smacked, especially on a cycle, doesn't rate with me as being a fun day. I also drive a truck with a very high back and allmost had 2 young lady's{different vehicles same time} take their heads off because they felt the need to ride my butt and not pay attention to what was going on. One went off the road the other slide sideways, they were also tail gatting each other. I can say I would have felt HORRIBLE if those girls {or anyone} had slid up under my truck and been seriously injured or worse, even though it would clearly have not been my fault. If anyone is close enough to the back of a vehicle and does not have a safe travel distance then I do not feel sorry for them if a ball hitch goes through their radiator, nor will I side with them. defensive driving not offensive can save damage and lives.

 

[dave1949]

So it's okay to tail gate and shame on someone for leaving their ball in their hitch? I understand what you're saying Bird about someone just being nasty but if "the victim" is tail gating are they not just as much at fault? ..............

I hate tail gaters. They are just playing the odds that 99.9% of the time no harm will result from their bad habits. Some are clueless and for some it is a form of passive-aggressive behavior.

You can see the difference when you look at their eyes in your rear view mirror. Some will even put on a half-a**ed smirk when they notice you looking, like you fool, this is what I do to people who drive the speed limit.

It's not hard for me to understand the desire make them pay dearly for their idiocy and aggression.

I can see Bird's point also.:laughing:
Dave.

 

[Diamondpilot]

When I have a tailgater I like to hit the manual slide bar on my brake controller. It lights up the brake lights and I have seen them lock up the brakes, spill drinks, about shat the pants they have on, and a few end up in the ditch. Serves them right.

Chris