What to do with hitch?

[krcarter54]

I leave mine attached to our travel trailer with a lock installed in the coupler while camping. My reason for doing this is because I witnessed a "Hot Head" walking between vehicles bang his shins on a protruding trailer hitch ball mount. This guy was infuriated and began taking out his anger by doing a really bad "key" job on the pickup truck. I feel like I rather be safe than sorry. (I'll have to admit that I have banged my shins a time or two doing this same thing.)
HaPPy Travels!

[go wild]

Originally Posted by joe in calif

I leave the hitch on the tow vehicle with a keyed pin and put the sway bars in the storage compartment or sometimes I just lay them across the frame behind the battery, depends on where I'm at.

Same here. The hitch is locked to the receiver with a locking hitch pin so it's going nowhere. I put this thick rubber cover over the ball to avoid grease and skinned knees:
Reese Towpower/Reese black soft hitch ball guard 70292 at AutoZone.com

[jeeper182]

I thought it was illegal to drive with the hitch attached to the truck (and no trailer attached).

[kvangil]

Originally Posted by jeeper182

I thought it was illegal to drive with the hitch attached to the truck (and no trailer attached).

That varies by state.

[Bobx2]

Originally Posted by jeeper182

I thought it was illegal to drive with the hitch attached to the truck (and no trailer attached).

Interesting. I've never heard of such a thing. Why would that be? What a PITA that would be. I always have a hitch in my receiver. Now it is only for the ATV trailer, but even the big one for the travel trailer stayed put when traveling. The bars I would just put under the a frame while camping. When storing the camper, everything went into the front storage compartment.

[jeeper182]

Originally Posted by Bobx2

Interesting. I've never heard of such a thing. Why would that be? What a PITA that would be. I always have a hitch in my receiver. Now it is only for the ATV trailer, but even the big one for the travel trailer stayed put when traveling. The bars I would just put under the a frame while camping. When storing the camper, everything went into the front storage compartment.

Near as I can figure its because Pennsylvania likes to tell you what to do is every little aspect of your life.

[homer1959]

i'll put the bars in the trailers bumper, hitch ball attached to the trailer receiver and locked

[xtruckerbob]

I made these they keep the bars out of the dirt. I welded a link of chain under the frame and lock them to them safe when we leave. I leave the hitch on the truck locked.

[WCT]

I hate to sound stupid here, but a lot of the posts have indicated the ball on the hitch is greasy. Do you guys add a layer of grease on your hitch ball? I have never considered doing that.

[Quahog]

Yes and then if you leave the hitch installed, you run the risk of getting said grease all over you when working behind the truck. What I used to do is place a bright green tennis ball (with it partially cut out) over the ball. It served two purposes... 1st it kept you from getting grease all over your legs and 2nd, it was easy to see so you didn't accidentally walk into it.

[WCT]

Thanks for the tips everyone! I will be putting a layer of grease on for my next trip.

[LarryJ]

For me depends on how much driving around I'll do after setup. Alot mean the whole equalizer setup gets put in front storage compartment of the TT. A little then just the bars go in the storage compartment.
Interesting that the dealer as setting up the equalizer said not to grease anything, but I have decided to add some grease (Sil-Glyde) to the bars where contacting rest of setup, pretty noisy w/o. Never greased a ball in 40 years of trailering, nor has any of my friends, only advantage I see is no rust - any others?

Larry J

[Jagiven]

greasing the ball, eliminates a lot of hitch noise, and keeps the coupler lubricated so it works better.

If you have an Equalizer brand hitch only lube the rotating parts not the sliding parts. The friction between the L-bracket and the bar is what gives you your sway control.

[eldermike]

I use a lock style pin once I get to the campground but I don't use it to tow because I can't attach chains with the lock covering one of the holes. I hide the bars under ground cloth.

[Craiger]

Thank you all for the input. Lots of variety and some good things to keep in mind.

[FPM III]

Originally Posted by annie oakly

Ok I forget that it is there. But it work well to get the boat down and for me to get in the back of the truck

The hitch color looks close to a "Caterpillar" yellow. (Hint: Click on the View Post icon in the quote to see annie oakly's post containing the picture)