Safe to leave hitch receiver installed?

[GhostStrykre]

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

yep, me as well. Actually for me what rusted wasn’t the ball mount, it was the stupid security pin. Had to use a rod to bend the pin until it was busted up enough that I could knock it the rest of the way off with a hammer. That was an annoying 10 minutes!

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[Fordup]

Really want to keep tailgaters away....maybe you could adapt something like this to your rear receiver....
Would also double to let you know when you've backed up enough...

Titan sells one with a 2 inch square shank that fits right in. Here in NY you have to put a red flag on it because it sticks out over 3 feet.

 

[subquark]

Waaaaay off topic, but....

https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/t...940-bugs-bunny-debuts-animated-film-wild-hare

Wow, I love this kind of trivia - thanks! =)

Bugs Bunny is 83 years old today!

He'd fit right in with a Ranger and what color would Bugs have?

Hmm, kinda looks like @AzScorpion living that sweet-damper-money life!

 

[Bsthroop]

Wow, I love this kind of trivia - thanks! =)

Bugs Bunny is 83 years old today!

He'd fit right in with a Ranger and what color would Bugs have?

Same color as his carrot, saber!

 

[Utope]

I keep the shank in mine, but take shackle off and keep in the toolbox. I lost one on my jeep either from working loose and falling on the road or theft.

The shank saved me from a rear end collision once.

 

[Radioman]

I don't have one on my Ranger (2 wheel drive) but I do on my Jeep. I use a locking pin on the shank and tighten the shackle pin with a screwdriver shank to keep the shackle from wandering off with someone wanting one without buying it.

 

[RedDakooter05]

Do you really wanna keep messing with it? I'd leave it in.

 

[JACKSMYDOG]

I've seen a few that were rusted so bad they were permanently part of the truck. Guys using torches and hammers to try to remove them, and end up burning the crap out of the rear of the truck. Or tying off to a tree and trying to pull it, but break everything other than the hitch free.

Locking pins are as bad or worse for seizing if not regularly oiled and worked. One good winter and they can be proper fkd.

I do like the idea of having something hanging out the back for protection, but hate seeing them, would hate to bust my shin on one, and mostly would be pi$$ed if someone stole mine. Also, with 35 years on the road, I have never been rear ended, and I spent 70+ hours a week on the road for 30 of those years.

I have a recovery shank and pin in the truck in case I need it, but don't keep anything in the receiver unless I'm using it.

It only takes a minute to install a ball hitch when I am hooking to my trailer, which is only once a month of so. If I were pulling multiple times per week, I may leave it in most of the time.

 

[Crow_of_judgement]

Ball mount stays on permanently. If I take it off I'll forget where I put it.

 

[Radioman]

I've seen a few that were rusted so bad they were permanently part of the truck. Guys using torches and hammers to try to remove them, and end up burning the crap out of the rear of the truck. Or tying off to a tree and trying to pull it, but break everything other than the hitch free.

Locking pins are as bad or worse for seizing if not regularly oiled and worked. One good winter and they can be proper fkd.

I do like the idea of having something hanging out the back for protection, but hate seeing them, would hate to bust my shin on one, and mostly would be pi$$ed if someone stole mine. Also, with 35 years on the road, I have never been rear ended, and I spent 70+ hours a week on the road for 30 of those years.

I have a recovery shank and pin in the truck in case I need it, but don't keep anything in the receiver unless I'm using it.

It only takes a minute to install a ball hitch when I am hooking to my trailer, which is only once a month of so. If I were pulling multiple times per week, I may leave it inmost of the time.

Valid points Jay, but for me, where I live, rust is not a problem, ever...

 

[IdahoRanger]

Shank and ball stay tucked away until needed, then they serve their purpose.

 

[JACKSMYDOG]

Valid points Jay, but for me, where I live, rust is not a problem, ever...

Absolutely, and I'm super jelly about that. It amazes me watching videos of some of the southern states and cars just sitting outside unprotected for decades that only have a little surface rust. If I lived in Arizona, I'd have a fleet of toy vehicles.

 

[Msfitoy]

Nice place for a step and seat...btw, what's all this rust ya'll talking about? Is that what they fill pot holes with?

 

[JohnnyO]

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.

Agree. In my state (PA) they made it a $350 fine for leaving your ball mount in when not towing a trailer. Although I still see a lot of people doing it so they may not be enforcing it that strictly. A shackle may or may not be okay here. I don't know.

 

[LaBalbe]

I haven't looked into it, but a friend of mine told me that there's a fine in ON for keeping a ball hitch on when not in use; not sure if that would also apply to the recovery shackle. Either way, I keep mine in my "bed bin"; I don't use it often enough that it makes sense to leave it, and I definitely have to deal with the rust issue that others have mentioned.

I've thought a couple of times about putting in a hitch cover; anyone have experience with them, and do they really do much to protect the receiver? If so, what would you recommend?

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