Safe to leave hitch receiver installed?

[TICKLE ZOMBIE]

Never owned a truck before so not sure of the protocol but is it okay to leave a hitch receiver in?
The one shown I’m actually going to use as a resistance band anchor for exercises (I travel to sites for workouts and train others).
I do have a locking pin for it to prevent theft.

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[Jhbryaniv]

I don't leave my drop hitch in, primarily because I do not tow enough to make it worth it.

But also, I would probably smash my shins into it everytime I walk behind the truck . . .

 

[Trigganometry]

Depends on the State. I know some have laws against leaving it in if not in use. Check your local laws on it. Even so, most LE won’t bother you for that alone.

 

[AzScorpion]

I leave mine in all the time and also did the same when I was back in MA.

 

[veedubtuner]

After recently being rear ended, I would leave it in

 

[mtbikernate]

Never owned a truck before so not sure of the protocol but is it okay to leave a hitch receiver in?
The one shown I’m actually going to use as a resistance band anchor for exercises (I travel to sites for workouts and train others).
I do have a locking pin for it to prevent theft.

FWIW, the receiver is the part that's permanently mounted to your truck.

The ball mount/drop hitch is the part that you attach a trailer to, and what you've shown in your picture is just a shackle. I've had a shackle installed on mine for several months now, no problem. I'll be switching it out for a drop hitch soon as I'll be dragging my camper up to Canada for a little camping trip. But I definitely don't leave a drop hitch installed because of the aforementioned shin damage. Shackles don't stick out nearly as much, and I've not had any issues walking into it.

 

[subquark]

Never owned a truck before so not sure of the protocol but is it okay to leave a hitch receiver in?
The one shown I’m actually going to use as a resistance band anchor for exercises (I travel to sites for workouts and train others).
I do have a locking pin for it to prevent theft.

I leave my balls on all the time. They do have a lock for honest folks. Been on a year but we're in a small town.

 

[Wes Siler]

I was rear ended by some stupid kid, while I had my hitch receiver recovery point installed on a stock height/stock rear bumper Ranger. He hit me at probably 10-15 mph while I was stopped at a light. No damage to the Ranger, but the recovery point penetrated the radiator on his mom's Infiniti, completely disabling that vehicle. He asked me what he should do, I told him that was his problem, and drove off.

 

[Grumpaw]

I leave my balls on all the time. They do have a lock for honest folks. Been on a year but we're in a small town.

I thought I was the only one who left my balls on.....
OH WAIT....your talking about your Ranger !!!
My Bad.....

 

[RangerTX]

I either have a hitch in or a bump step in all the time. They have saved my bumper from no less than THREE rear ends by dumb kids on their cell phones while driving.

One ding dong rear ended me so hard that it imprinted his license plate number into my bump step.... no damage to the bumper!

 

[canyonslicker]

Oh dang it now I’ve gotta buy a shackle hitch..

 

[Fordup]

I take it out in the winter because salt gets in the void between them and can rust them together fast.

 

[AzScorpion]

Oh dang it now I’ve gotta buy a shackle hitch..

Here ya go Andy. ? They have several different colors too.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08V576J6B/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

[subquark]

Oh dang it now I’ve gotta buy a shackle hitch..

In that case, you need this friggin' impressive one that @AzScorpion makes a commission from suggested the other day:

https://www.amazon.com/Shackle-Bracket-D-Shackle-Off-Road-Recovery/dp/B076QJ9WGP

Note: It will reduce your payload by 100 pounds but it'll up your HP and sex appeal!

 

[VAMike]

but it'll up your [...] sex appeal!

Lies!

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