Own a 2018 F150 XLT and installed a Blue Ox hitch for my travel trailer. Now, when I back up the alarm goes off all the time because it senses the hitch as something that is too close to my truck.

Current solution is to remove the hitch. I really do not want to remove it and store it every time I need it, I'd rather leave it installed

Is there a work around that I can leave it attached and stop the annoying alarm?

TIA.

 

This is when you don’t have a trailer attached?
Plug in a 7 pin trailer test plug. If the truck thinks a trailer is attached, it should shut off the back up sensors.
Also try tow/haul mode for similar reasons.

My truck is long enough. I never leave a shin buster in place. I hope you have a locking hitch pin.

 

Take the hitch out of the receiver or get used to turning off the back up warning every time you put it in reverse.

I'll second the shins. You'll wish you had pulled it when you walk into it the first time.

 

I have a Blue Ox, and as soon as I unhook the trailer, i store that ugly hitch head with the bars.

I have a 4in drop hitch I plug in when not towing just for possible rear-end collisions.

 

Though I have never heard of it being enforced, many states have laws that require the hitch shank be removed when not towing.

 

Did that once, banged my shin into the hitch. That was the last time I ever left a hitch in too. Up til then I just wound up getting a greasy pant leg from the ball grease. I still have a mark on my shin 10 years later.

 

One of my mods to do list is to weld a hitch shank on the trailer V tongue for storage so that when we get to the campsite it's not sitting on the floor. I haven't hit my shin yet in the last 4 years and I feel it may be coming soon lol.

 

A friend works as an insurance adjuster. He says many trucks that get rear ended lightly with a hitch installed, mess the truck up much more than if they had just gotten bumped without. He said is is not uncommon for it to tweak the frame. And I will second running into it, or grease getting on your jeans, unless you don't grease your *****.

 

I just bought one of these to store the hitch. Worked great.



+1. I would much rather have the bumper repaired than the frame. Would be a lot cheaper than replacing a WDH head, especially Blue Ox or Equilizer, as well as the receiver, and anything else that got damaged, not to mention that the 6-12" they stick out increases the chances of actually being hit.

 

I don't grease my *****, never have, never will. Just keep them clean, they will stay silent.

As for hitches causing more severe damage, I think your friend was pulling your leg. The front of vehicles is mostly plastic, with occasionally some thin steel like with our fake bumpers. Ever truck I've seen get 'lightly' rear ended, the hitch punched though everything that was in the way. I wouldn't worry unless a hitch has a large surface area, like with a 6" adjustable.

And I still wouldn't worry, because I pay for insurance to cover the loss should I get hit.