Why NOT to leave your hitch in the receiver when not towing.
05-21-2013, 12:28 PM
#71
Senior Member
Isn't that the truth! With all of the tight parking spots around here, I find myself either sticking way too far out into the drivepath of the lot, of the rear end ends up poking about 1/4th to 1/3rd of the way into the spot behind me.
I decided to leave my hitch in because people can't drive worth crap now that I am back in Ohio. It is unbelievable as the number of drivers suffering from mental retardation exponentially increased the closer I came to here.
05-21-2013, 12:30 PM
#72
Senior Member
2 days ago, out for lunch, very empty parking lot, parked away from everyone, tiny spaces that leaves my truck over on both ends, idiot decides to park right behind me, punches a small hole in their bumper, my truck is fine. The End
05-21-2013, 02:19 PM
#73
Senior Member
05-21-2013, 05:00 PM
#74
Senior Member
It is illegal in Alberta (and I suspect in all provinces in Canada) to have a tow hitch attached to the receiver if it isn't currently being used for towing. I received a warning once and this was in a campground where I was just about to hook up to my trailer!
I can see the logic of such a law in that it aims to protect other drivers from unnecessary encounters with a battering ram. Personally I'm not too impressed with other truck owners who have them attached in front-to-back packing lots - either they are taking up more than one parking space or you're bumping into them while walking.
I think it's a $250 ticket but the cops here are generally more concerned with tinted front windows.
I can see the logic of such a law in that it aims to protect other drivers from unnecessary encounters with a battering ram. Personally I'm not too impressed with other truck owners who have them attached in front-to-back packing lots - either they are taking up more than one parking space or you're bumping into them while walking.
I think it's a $250 ticket but the cops here are generally more concerned with tinted front windows.
I'm keeping my email from them in case I get pulled over! ;-)
05-21-2013, 06:47 PM
#75
Canuck with a truck
05-21-2013, 06:56 PM
#76
Senior Member
I don't think they actually do but I'm keeping it just in case. You never know what they'll try to spring on ya! For as many people I've heard that say it's illegal, a rookie could try I suppose. Just today one of the yard guys at Timbr-Mart told me it was a $225 fine! I showed him my email and said he's being lied to ;-)
05-21-2013, 07:39 PM
#77
After just checking with the California Highway Patrol office in Sacramento, I was told that as long as the receiver or ball are not blocking the view of the rear license late, it is perfectly legal to have on your vehicle at ALL times. :-) So, to the person who's sister got a ticket for this, it may have been partially blocking the plate, thus giving merit for a ticket. Or that officer just had to write some tickets to meet a quota or just had a plain bad day? So, for at least here in CA., keep on trucking with that receiver in the hitch and ward off those pesky tailgaters!
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05-21-2013, 07:41 PM
#78
One Clean Machine
iTrader: (5)
Attachment 224159
2 days ago, out for lunch, very empty parking lot, parked away from everyone, tiny spaces that leaves my truck over on both ends, idiot decides to park right behind me, punches a small hole in their bumper, my truck is fine. The End
2 days ago, out for lunch, very empty parking lot, parked away from everyone, tiny spaces that leaves my truck over on both ends, idiot decides to park right behind me, punches a small hole in their bumper, my truck is fine. The End
05-21-2013, 08:09 PM
#79
Senior Member
So here is my experience.
I used to leave my hitch in thinking that it would be useful for backing up into tight spots or if I ever got rear ended.
So I did get rear ended by another 1/2 ton and he pretty much hit the receiver head dead on. the result was that the hook was pushed under his bumper and it bent the frame on my truck. See the way the receiver is mounted its like a leverage point and the force that would probably have been absorbed straight no by my bumper and MAYBE the box was transferred to the frame as a downward twist and the frame bent up pretty bad, this wrecked the box sides, pan etc.
In the end I think the hook only caused more damage plus when I pulled away it ripped the other guys bumper off which was my only real consolation. Bottom line I guess is that he bumpers are designed to do what they do for a reason.
I used to leave my hitch in thinking that it would be useful for backing up into tight spots or if I ever got rear ended.
So I did get rear ended by another 1/2 ton and he pretty much hit the receiver head dead on. the result was that the hook was pushed under his bumper and it bent the frame on my truck. See the way the receiver is mounted its like a leverage point and the force that would probably have been absorbed straight no by my bumper and MAYBE the box was transferred to the frame as a downward twist and the frame bent up pretty bad, this wrecked the box sides, pan etc.
In the end I think the hook only caused more damage plus when I pulled away it ripped the other guys bumper off which was my only real consolation. Bottom line I guess is that he bumpers are designed to do what they do for a reason.
05-21-2013, 10:19 PM
#80
After just checking with the California Highway Patrol office in Sacramento, I was told that as long as the receiver or ball are not blocking the view of the rear license late, it is perfectly legal to have on your vehicle at ALL times. :-) So, to the person who's sister got a ticket for this, it may have been partially blocking the plate, thus giving merit for a ticket. Or that officer just had to write some tickets to meet a quota or just had a plain bad day? So, for at least here in CA., keep on trucking with that receiver in the hitch and ward off those pesky tailgaters!
Sorry just had to! I've been thinking about getting the Smittybuilt Beaver Step.