Trailer hitch at camp site. - Page 2

SecretCoveDave · 06-13-2015, 08:03 AM

I don't know what the law is in Canada, but that makes a lot of sense to me.

Ont Pete · 06-13-2015, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Logans

When we had our JayFlight we often didn't unhook at all if the camp sight was long enough. If we needed to use the truck, we took the hitch off, as in some states its illegal to leave it on. We got a warning from a State Police officer (who as very nice about it). We asked why the law, and he said that in case of a rear end collision, the hitch does a tremendous amount of damage to the vehicle that hits it. It also can shove the entire hitch assembly forward on your vehicle, slamming into parts which don't do well under that kind of abuse. :-)

I had never really thought about it until it was explained to me.

From what I have seen it is mostly the vehicle that rear ends you that gets most of the damage and it can help keep you from damage if its a car against a truck. Personally i would rather protect my vehicle and not worry about someone who in the wrong but I do understand it is law in some jurisdictions.

**JFlightRisk** · 06-13-2015, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Logans

When we had our JayFlight we often didn't unhook at all if the camp sight was long enough. If we needed to use the truck, we took the hitch off, as in some states its illegal to leave it on. We got a warning from a State Police officer (who as very nice about it). We asked why the law, and he said that in case of a rear end collision, the hitch does a tremendous amount of damage to the vehicle that hits it. It also can shove the entire hitch assembly forward on your vehicle, slamming into parts which don't do well under that kind of abuse. :-)

I had never really thought about it until it was explained to me.

Here in the Land Of Taxes (NY), if the height of the ball or hitch blocks the troopers view of your plate, or even a plastic plate frame that covers the top or bottom too much, you can be ticketed. Gotta love New York!

oldmanAZ · 06-13-2015, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFlightRisk

Here in the Land Of Taxes (NY), if the height of the ball or hitch blocks the troopers view of your plate, or even a plastic plate frame that covers the top or bottom too much, you can be ticketed. Gotta love New York!

It's not just NY. Here in AZ, too, you can be ticketed if a plate frame covers the top or bottom too much. Stands to reason the same would be true if a hitch or ball blocked a view of the plate.

Filthy-Beast · 06-13-2015, 03:17 PM

I pull ours, don't remember where but have also been warned about getting a ticket.

nunyadamn · 06-13-2015, 03:30 PM

I just purchased this. I have been meaning to order it for a while. I plan on putting it behind and below my propane tanks near my battery tray. I will just tack weld the nuts to the bolts that hold it on. Then I can leave my hitch locked to my trailer for storage. probably will store the hitch upside down and covered with a bag to keep the moisture off of it.

Amazon.com: Swagman RV 2" Bumper Adaptor: Sports & Outdoors

**Crabman** · 06-13-2015, 04:20 PM

Mine has always stayed on the truck. The spring bars go in the front storage.

bluie5 · 06-13-2015, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nunyadamn

I just purchased this. I have been meaning to order it for a while. I plan on putting it behind and below my propane tanks near my battery tray. I will just tack weld the nuts to the bolts that hold it on. Then I can leave my hitch locked to my trailer for storage. probably will store the hitch upside down and covered with a bag to keep the moisture off of it.

Amazon.com: Swagman RV 2" Bumper Adaptor: Sports & Outdoors

This is a good idea. Then it can be locked into it with the locking hitch pin.

hdave · 06-13-2015, 07:34 PM

I leave my hitch in all the time, to protect the back end of my truck or camper from being rear ended. Been hit twice and no damage to my vehicle at all. Can't say the same for the ones that hit me.

rjackson · 06-13-2015, 08:17 PM

mine also stays locked in the receiver, never hit my shin. was rear ended once saved my vehicle from a lot of damage

oldmanAZ · 06-13-2015, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nunyadamn

I just purchased this. I have been meaning to order it for a while. I plan on putting it behind and below my propane tanks near my battery tray. I will just tack weld the nuts to the bolts that hold it on. Then I can leave my hitch locked to my trailer for storage. probably will store the hitch upside down and covered with a bag to keep the moisture off of it.

Amazon.com: Swagman RV 2" Bumper Adaptor: Sports & Outdoors

WOW! What a great idea! Probably won't be able to make it happen this year (trying to decide on batteries and their placement), but this mod will absolutely be on my trailer next year!

WrenZ71 · 06-14-2015, 02:16 AM

I remove mine and store it. Locking hitch pins will not stop a thief. I used to work at a dealership and had to remove them from used vehicles.I can have them off in 2 seconds flat without power tools or noise.

Ont Pete · 06-14-2015, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WrenZ71

I remove mine and store it. Locking hitch pins will not stop a thief. I used to work at a dealership and had to remove them from used vehicles.I can have them off in 2 seconds flat without power tools or noise.

It stops the honest thief!

WrenZ71 · 06-14-2015, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ont Pete

It stops the honest thief!

Absolutely true

nunyadamn · 06-14-2015, 07:57 AM

Locking anything is always just a deterrent. If someone really wants something, they can always get it. That won't stop me from locking my stuff up, I just have to beat the odds. In this case, the odds are really low that someone is going to steal my extremely heavy locked hitch.

rtiedeken · 06-14-2015, 08:13 AM

I personally remove my hitch and lock in the back of my truck so it doesn't get stolen. When I leave the campsite I want piece of mind. If my hitch is stolen, I'm not leaving, and finding another may be difficult depending on where you are camping. Better safe than sorry.

dougfir1 · 06-14-2015, 08:21 AM

sad but true. The Masterlock pin was the first thing I bought once I had the new hitch. I also chain my generator to the cargo loop in my pickup with a heavy duty security lock. Best not to scrimp on those locks either.

SkyBound · 06-14-2015, 10:34 AM

I leave my hitch head on the truck with the locking pin also. When I tow I use one of those Rock Solid tow skirts because my Duratracs like to throw rocks. I just leave the whole set up installed and locked the whole time. It seems like having the tow skirt there draws my attention to the hitch more, making me more aware of it and less likely to walk into it.

Does anyone else on here use a rock guard when they tow? Haven't seen much of it with RVs, just more with boats...

Bassdogs · 06-14-2015, 10:42 AM

Are there really states where leaving a tow bar attached to your TV is against the law? The tow bar on my F150 hasn't been off the truck for maybe 8 or 9 years, other than to change to a larger or smaller ball. I remove the WDH bar because it is larger and heavier than a standard tbar and costs a whole lot more to replace. Now I'm wondering how many states have warrants out on me since I have driven thru most of the lower 48.

DebKen · 06-14-2015, 02:38 PM

In some places it is illegal to leave it in when not towing a trailer. We have a padded bad that holds out WDH so it gets stored in the trailer when we are at the campground. When we are hitched up, the blocks of wood we use to level and put under the jacks are stored in the bag.

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