WHY leave trailer hitch on !

[Propflux01]

Originally Posted By: NHHEMI

Really. I am on the pedestal? Ok.

Let's be clear here I am not whining because I did something stupid and want to blame other people for it. I am asking people to be accountable for their own actions. Not sre how that is me up on a pedestal?


Yes, because if you bothered to have taken the time to read my posting between the last time we quoted, I had already explained the very same questions and points you already made. Perhaps if you go back through and re-read what I have written in this thread you will understand why I mentioned 'pedestal'.

And while we are on the topic of being clear, I was not whining or blaming others. I made my point and why in the last postings.

 

[Fleetmon]

Just recently, in the parking garage (which is very tight parking) at Roanoke Memorial hospital, there was a four door pick-up with drawbar in place parked on one of the turns at Level 2. When I walked through a couple of hours later, there was a Camry stopped behind it with a four foot long gash across both passenger and rear door. Apparently the Camry driver hit the drawbar when he made the turn. When I was driving out and passed the Camry, someone (maybe the owner) was removing the drawbar. Although the hitch was sticking out, it was obvious to anyone the truck was way too long to be parked in there anyway.

I've barked my shins on a drawbar or two in my day, sometimes my own, but I always remove it when I'm done hauling....I'm on the bus with the one's that say it looks kind of dumb on there without a trailer hooked to it. I must say, the truck picture a few posts back looks absolutely ridiculous.....looks like someone is trying to make up for something they are less than proud of!

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: whip
Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
Originally Posted By: whip
To the crowd that leaves the ball mount in, in order to "teach the other guy a lesson", I wonder how you'd feel if someone started pulling the mount pin out, to teach you a lesson? Both seem equally ignorant, but I know one will get treated entirely different than the other.


I'm reducing the risk of damage to my vehicle by incompetent people. If they learn a lesson by destroying their radiator or getting a boo boo, that's on them.

Messing with someone else's property because you can't watch where you are going or maintain control of your vehicle is simply inexcusable.

If people would watch where they are going, put down the phone while driving, and not run into me at lights, I wouldn't feel any need to leave the ball mount in.

I suspect the same people who run into other cars at lights because they are playing on their phone are the same ones who get mad about a ball mount sticking out 4". Why they need to be within 4" of my truck is beyond me, let alone their inability to take responsibility for running into an easy to see stationary object.

I guess vandalism is the answer whenever you get upset about something trivial though. Sad.

If you leave the ball mount in place to damage someone else's vehicle more, how is that any different than someone pulling the pin? Like I said, both ideas are ignorant, but one would be defended.


Again, the purpose of leaving it in is to reduce damage to my vehicle. Reducing damage to my vehicle is not the same as trying to cause more damage to another. Any additional damage caused to the other party is an unintended consequence, but one I am not going to lose any sleep over. Why should I look out of the interests of people who aren't going to give the same courtesy back?

Bottom line, if you watch where you are going, pay attention to your driving, and maintain control of yourself and your vehicle, the hitches on other people's vehicles will never bother you. Likewise, if people would do these things, there would be no reason for me to leave my hitch in when not in use. I'd throw it behind one of the jump seats.

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: dave1251
Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
Originally Posted By: dave1251
There is consistent problem of drivers touching bumpers at stop lights where you live?


Yes. They have hit other parts of the truck too, but usually it's the back end. All lights work properly and are in OEM housings - no Niteshade here. Usually when I look back in the mirror, they are still holding the phone with that stupid "OMG!" look on their face.

In case you haven't noticed, most people don't give a flying [censored] about their driving.


All I see is real aggressive driver's weaving in out in out in and out trying to race to each stop light. I have driven almost 55K miles in the last year due to my job or trips to visit family, so I have seen a lot of driving. There is a percentage of people around here that will talk on there phones and drive which is too much no matter how small the percentage is. But most of the problems I see is male drivers that seem to be attempting to overcompensate for something lacking in their lives with aggressive driving.

It is so entertaining I wish I had some google lenses so I could post everything on youtube or install a dash cam. It would be a hoot.


Driving in AL, or at least Birmingham, is like third world driving. Driving is part of my job too, but on downtown city streets.

Turn signals mean nothing here and are rarely used, no matter how abrupt the turn or how many lanes are crossed. Speaking of lanes, those may as well not exist. At least once a week I see someone driving the wrong way down a one way street. Going on green is optional, so is stopping on red. Speed limits mean nothing, pick your own speed whether its way above or below. Just don't actually drive within +/- 5 MPH of the limit. I wish I just had to deal with aggressive drivers because there isn't much to deal with...they pass you and they are gone. Totally unpredictable distracted people are a whole different animal.

 

[ls1mike]

Originally Posted By: Fleetmon
.....looks like someone is trying to make up for something they are less than proud of!

Interesting. Since you don't know me and everyone can talk big on the internet. I put it in and took the picture for illustration sake. I use it for towing my 32 foot travel trailer. It is a weight distribution hitch. They are large because they also function as sway control. It is not installed a good portion of the time unless it is camping season. I drive the truck at most 2500 to 3000 miles a year.

Could you explain to me what I am trying to make up for or are less than proud of?
Just becuase we have a difference of opinion, doesn't mean you have to stoop to that level.
This place is unbelievable sometimes.

You guys continue to enjoy this place. I think I am done here or at least with this thread.

 

[IndyIan]

I leave the hitch on. It doesn't stick out that much and then its always there when I need it. Its also a handy tow or anchoring point if I get something stuck around my place.
I have banged my shin once, but its just a little reminder to watch what I'm doing. Not everything is idiot proof and watching where you are walking is good habit to have IME.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Wow, some people really get heated about this!

I generally take them out as soon as I'm done towing so they don't rust in place (I grease them thoroughly) or get stolen (scrappers around here will steal ANYTHING).

I have banged my knee on them. On my vehicle my thoughts are something along the lines of 'well that was stupid, should have taken it out' ... and I take it out. If it's on another vehicle, I think 'well that was stupid, should have paid more attention'.

There were some Local PDs around here with a Boss Hog / Roscoe P. Coltrane type of aura about them issuing tickets to people for having hitch balls in. NO, it is NOT a law for it, but people wouldn't waste time to fight a ticket in traffic court - especially for a non moving violation. Good way for local PDs to make some money off of passers by.

 

[Zaedock]

13 pages about a trailer ball.

Brought to you by BITOG.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: ls1mike
Originally Posted By: Fleetmon
.....looks like someone is trying to make up for something they are less than proud of!

Interesting. Since you don't know me and everyone can talk big on the internet. I put it in and took the picture for illustration sake. I use it for towing my 32 foot travel trailer. It is a weight distribution hitch. They are large because they also function as sway control. It is not installed a good portion of the time unless it is camping season. I drive the truck at most 2500 to 3000 miles a year.

Could you explain to me what I am trying to make up for or are less than proud of?
Just becuase we have a difference of opinion, doesn't mean you have to stoop to that level.
This place is unbelievable sometimes.

You guys continue to enjoy this place. I think I am done here or at least with this thread.


Mike:

I do believe he was referencing this picture/post:

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/3291457/Re:_WHY_leave_trailer_hitch_on#Post3291457

Not yours

 

[ls1mike]

Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Originally Posted By: ls1mike
Originally Posted By: Fleetmon
.....looks like someone is trying to make up for something they are less than proud of!

Interesting. Since you don't know me and everyone can talk big on the internet. I put it in and took the picture for illustration sake. I use it for towing my 32 foot travel trailer. It is a weight distribution hitch. They are large because they also function as sway control. It is not installed a good portion of the time unless it is camping season. I drive the truck at most 2500 to 3000 miles a year.

Could you explain to me what I am trying to make up for or are less than proud of?
Just becuase we have a difference of opinion, doesn't mean you have to stoop to that level.
This place is unbelievable sometimes.

You guys continue to enjoy this place. I think I am done here or at least with this thread.


Mike:

I do believe he was referencing this picture/post:

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/3291457/Re:_WHY_leave_trailer_hitch_on#Post3291457

Not yours

Oh, I said I was done not that I wouldn't read it...

If that is the case I do apologize.

 

[dlundblad]

Has anyone ever mentioned leaving it in for winter time retrieval purposes?

 

[NHHEMI]

A thread that's course has most definitely been run. Nothing but the same arguments from both sides being regurgitated again and again.

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: dlundblad
Has anyone ever mentioned leaving it in for winter time retrieval purposes?


I've contemplated that, but when I was trying to decide what size tow strap to buy, I came across several places stating to not use a ball mount to pull from. I guess the strap can pop off the ball. The threads seem to indicate damage from the ball snapping off; but I think the strap popping off would be just as bad (as most tow straps have heavy hooks).

Edit: There are these D-ring drawbars which you are supposed to use. I think I saw one once, and it was 40 bucks or more, so I haven't spring for one yet. Curious what others make of this.

 

[dlundblad]

Originally Posted By: supton
Originally Posted By: dlundblad
Has anyone ever mentioned leaving it in for winter time retrieval purposes?


I've contemplated that, but when I was trying to decide what size tow strap to buy, I came across several places stating to not use a ball mount to pull from. I guess the strap can pop off the ball. The threads seem to indicate damage from the ball snapping off; but I think the strap popping off would be just as bad (as most tow straps have heavy hooks).

Edit: There are these D-ring drawbars which you are supposed to use. I think I saw one once, and it was 40 bucks or more, so I haven't spring for one yet. Curious what others make of this.


I could only see that being a major issue if the stuck vehicle is buried and the tow vehicle has to do a lot of jerking to break it free. Light duty towing (which is all that I'd be doing) such as pulling out say a stuck car shouldn't be an issue. I'd prefer to tie to that rather than the safety chain loops on the frame hitch. Long story short, better to have that than nothing at all IMO.

The d rings are nice and all, but yes they are $$$. Definitely the safe hassle free route for the extreme users though.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Not a huge fan of hitch balls for recovery. The strap / chain pops off pretty easily.

What works great is putting the loop on the tow strap through the hitch pin.

 

[TrevorS]

Originally Posted By: Silverado12
After reading all these posts, I think I'll take mine out after every time I use it because it seems like a lot of folks are walking into them in parking lots. I think it's important to be considerate to others.


Thank you and well done good sir!

Being considerate of others will surely make this world a better place for all of us.

 

[TrevorS]

Originally Posted By: ram_man
Here is how you avoid walking into a trailer hitch . Stop looking down while walking and watch where you are going.


Seems that if you're looking ahead as normal, you're less likely to see the hitch.

There is a clip on YouTube of Steven Seagal teaching a UFC champion that if he kicks with no hip movement, his opponent won't see the kick coming. Imagine that, a UFC fighter, with adrenalin running, fully focused, not seeing something at knee height.

I sense that some here are so attached to their hitches, their sense of their rights, and maybe a feeling they are being attacked for owning a truck, they are not being reasonable in thinking that people in everyday autopilot mode are not expecting these hitches to be where they are. And in certain circumstances this becomes dangerous eg an owner reversing and forgetting he has it on, a child walking in a parking lot told to stay close to cars, an old lady not able to keep an eye on everything at the same time, a grown adult walking in a parking lot in the dark.

 

[opus1]

The people at MacNeil are really on top of things -- look what I found in my e-mail this morning: http://www.weathertech.com/product-education-center/bumpstep/

 

[Mr_Incredible]

Why? Nunya.

MYOB.

 

[supton]

Hehe, actually I shouldn't laugh, as I have backed into the Jersey barriers in my driveway not once but twice this winter. The car it's kinda sad that I did (trying to get a running start to get out of the driveway) but the truck barely fits so I wind up needing every inch of the driveway so as to get the nose out of the road. Thankfully the receiver on the truck is long enough that it hit instead of the bumper.