Trailer hitch receivers

[Oxford White]

I'm new to towing and my BB has the tow package. I currently have a cap on the end of my hitch. I was wondering if anyone has their hitch receivers on all the time or just have it on when towing?

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[wireman]

I have the tow package, but I don't keep a tow ball in the receiver.

Too much of a knee knocker if you're not paying attention.

 

[TheX]

I never keep the ball there. No point.

 

[Iamcanadian]

I'm new to towing and my BB has the tow package. I currently have a cap on the end of my hitch. I was wondering if anyone has their hitch receivers on all the time or just have it on when towing?

Well if you have the tow package your receiver is on all the time. I think the question you're asking is do people keep their drawbar in all the time?
Which in my case once that drawbar goes in the receiver it's probably not coming out for a very long time.

 

[Frenchy906]

I’ve always got my recovery hook in mine. My lady friend tows a lot with hers, and she keeps the trailer hitch in.

 

[Bill G]

The only thing keeping it in all the time is good for is it takes out the radiator of the idiot that rear-ends you — if your vehicle is jacked up high enough. Ask me how I know

 

[jpj]

I’ve always got my recovery hook in mine. My lady friend tows a lot with hers, and she keeps the trailer hitch in.

I take mine out when not towing; saving my shins and keeping ball grease off the legs.
The ball in the picture looks low. Rule of thumb is for the trailer to be level. If indeed low, flipping the the ball on the tow bar sometimes works.

 

[jkernitzki]

Here’s what I went with:

 

[catrikejoe]

I leave mine on always pulling my Catrike also using one a anti hitch rattle.

 

[Adanac]

I'm new to towing and my BB has the tow package. I currently have a cap on the end of my hitch. I was wondering if anyone has their hitch receivers on all the time or just have it on when towing?

I tend to keep mine on all the time. It keeps people off my arse in stopped traffic when they see the hook L0L

 

[Dadio]

I remove my hitch receiver bar when not in use. First, its considerate to prevent people in parking lots from running into and tripping over them , secondly it prevents me from buggering up my pants with grease off the ball when I’m Loading something in the tailgate. Also here in Ontario , I understand it’s illegal to leave a bar connected when not in use…..

 

[Adanac]

I remove my hitch receiver bar when not in use. First, its considerate to prevent people in parking lots from running into and tripping over them , secondly it prevents me from buggering up my pants with grease off the ball when I’m Loading something in the tailgate. Also here in Ontario , I understand it’s illegal to leave a bar connected when not in use…..

If they run into the ball hitch then they are walking to close to the vehicle to start with. Also here is the rule about leaving the ball hitch in all the time. You will only get fined if it is blocking the licence plate. I've driven all over Canada with the ball hutch in for a bazillion years and never been pulled over or fined, because mine does not block my licence plate. Hope that helps you. See pic.

I remove my hitch receiver bar when not in use. First, its considerate to prevent people in parking lots from running into and tripping over them , secondly it prevents me from buggering up my pants with grease off the ball when I’m Loading something in the tailgate. Also here in Ontario , I understand it’s illegal to leave a bar connected when not in use…..

 

[Iamcanadian]

I remove my hitch receiver bar when not in use. First, its considerate to prevent people in parking lots from running into and tripping over them , secondly it prevents me from buggering up my pants with grease off the ball when I’m Loading something in the tailgate. Also here in Ontario , I understand it’s illegal to leave a bar connected when not in use…..

Well, I live here in Ontario and I assure you 100%, it is not illegal to leave your drawbar in the receiver. I've actually done extensive research on this and there's not a single province or state where this is actually illegal. Most places State the exact same thing. As long as it's not blocking view of the license plate, there's no issue with it.

 

[Dadio]

Thanks for the legal clarifications, I was obviously wrong on the Ontario law I stand corrected …. but regardless of the law, my main point for the original poster is that I choose to remove my hitch ball / drawbar to avoid injury to others, and to self.

Our local Walmart is a great example, where folks often back their trucks up to the center sidewalk , the overhang and protruding hitch bar creates a dangerous obstacle in the walkway. should you decide to leave it on, good for you … but be aware in certain circumstances it can be a hazard,

 

[TheX]

Well, I live here in Ontario and I assure you 100%, it is not illegal to leave your drawbar in the receiver. I've actually done extensive research on this and there's not a single province or state where this is actually illegal. Most places State the exact same thing. As long as it's not blocking view of the license plate, there's no issue with it.

Illegal, and rude AF are two different things.

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