LawDogMass
Western Massachusetts
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Joined: 03/01/2010
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This past week, after setting up the HTT, I ran into town to grab some groceries. I always leave the hitch in the receiver while out camping, as it is a heavy unit and figured it is ok leave it in the receiver. I parked at a far empty end of the store's parking lot, no one around my TV. I come back out 20 minutes later to see a guy looking rather upset because MY hitch hit his car when he pulled in. He was reading me the riot act and informing me it was 100% my fault that he now had a nice big dent and broken grill in his cars front end.
Local PD came and told the guy it was his fault in using care while parking and that is not what he wanted to hear. No harm to the hitch or my vehicle, so I headed off.
Do most people leave their hitch on or take it off? This is the first time this has happened in 3 years of camping.
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dupreet
High Point, NC
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Joined: 08/03/2007
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I tend to take mine off due to the too-numerous-to-mention bruises my shins take when its in place!! I also see no need in leaving a 30 pound chunk of steel in a position it can be snatched and sold for scrap.
That said, it is a fomidable battering ram. A couple years ago, I had to use my van to transport some artists performing at my job. I took the hitch off to make it easier to take luggage in/out. On the way from the airport, I had to stop for a wreck up ahead. I look in the mirror as a Honda Civic is barreling along behind me and didn't see the stoppage. My receiver and bumper totalled the front end of the Honda!! I had a couple marks on the bumper and my receiver needed a $2.00 can of black paint. Had I left the hitch on, I imagine it would have been buried in the poor guy's engine block!
Todd
Todd
1993 Ford E-350 pushed by a 1988 Wilderness 24' TT
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cm11599ps
Long Island
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Joined: 07/18/2011
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I take it out simply because I use the receiver to mount a flagpole.
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bpounds
Whittier CA
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Joined: 12/12/2010
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Sometimes I would leave mine in while the trailer was setup on a site. But usually I took it out and left it in camp. Might have depended on how long I was going to be at a site. For the most part I think it is lazy and rude to leave it in, and I might add, illegal in some states. People can get hurt, not to mention property damage. Having said that, I sometimes did the same thing. I would have laughed out loud if someone shouted me up about it. Sounds like you did the reasonable thing by parking far away from other cars.
BTW, I also think it is bad for your receiver to leave a heavy WD hitch head in place with no trailer. The bouncing loosens up the pin sockets. So removing it is also protecting your investment.
2006 F250 Diesel
2011 Keystone Cougar 278RKSWE Fiver
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jtrent6415
Omaha
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Joined: 07/23/2011
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We usually leave ours in. Don't know if it is good or bad and don't care too much either way.
2011 Keystone Passport 2910BH
2005 Ford F-250 King Ranch (yes, the dreaded 6.0)
2004 Suburban 1500
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Turbo Diesel Dude
Green Mountain, NC
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Joined: 01/10/2005
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My hitch is locked into my receiver. Here where I live, I use it as a battering ram for the yahoos that do the "nascar draft" and who like to back into things in the parking lot when they apparently "park by ear". Keeps'em honest. JMHO
charles weidman
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LawDogMass
Western Massachusetts
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If I can I always park away from people, and if I can't, I try to back in on an end row. I also have it locked in the receiver and while parked at the campsite, I keep the tailgate down to save my shins, as I have barked them up more then once.
Never thought of the possible issue of bouncing around while no weight is on it, I'll keep that in mind, thanks.
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Sandia Man
Rio Rancho, NM
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Joined: 08/09/2008
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Our stays locked into the receiver when traveling with the TT and get's removed after unhitching our rig when we get back home.
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sh410
Northwest
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Joined: 08/29/2007
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"I come back out 20 minutes later to see a guy looking rather upset because MY hitch hit his car when he pulled in."
I think the guy hit YOUR hitch with his car!
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paulm999
Pala, California
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Joined: 02/12/2001
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Never understood why people need to be inches from my bumper whether in a parking space, at a traffic light, or going 70mph. Like the OP, I just would leave mine attached for errands, but when leaving the trailer parked for a long time, I remove it. The main reason for me to remove it is my safety. When I'm loading, unloading, or just walking around the vehicle, I forget the hitch is there, but my knees or shins don't for days after.
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