RGar974417 wrote: How is it rude? I tow sometimes 6 days a week as part of my business.Other times it may only be once or twice a week.If I only used it for my camping trailer,it might be a different story.Either way,it's none of your business it's mine and I don't really care what you think.
Pretty much the definition of rude.
I'm mostly just joking with you on that. It isn't a big deal to me either way. I think I said above that I sometimes left mine in too, so if rude applies, then I'm sometimes rude too.
Reading these comments, we all should keep in mind that there is a difference in these tow bars. The big WD hitch head that most of us should be using with travel trailers is much different than the simple ball mounts that are used on most work trailers.
This was going to be my question...you answered it. I wondered if folks were talking about the ball mount, or the bigger WD hitch. I guess in some ways I can see how it could be a bit rude to always leave it on, as there are many scenarios I could see someone really hitting getting hurt on it...if people are truly going to the back of the parking lot to park, and making an effort to try not to be where many people will be walking, that's one thing. But I have a feeling many don't (not saying anyone on this thread does that, as I have no clue, but I have no doubt many people leaving it on are not going to the back of the lot). I can imagine a smaller kid walking through the parking lot not paying full attention (and before anyone slams the kid, come on, kids are going to be kids) and smacking themselves in the face with it as they would be that height. I'd feel really horrible if I had the hitch on and decided to be even lazier and park where a lot of vehicles are with people walking back with their groceries (I also can imagine someone walking with hands full of grocery bags not expecting that to be hanging off the back of a truck and banging a shin pretty bad). There is no way if a kid got hurt on it that I would be mad he/she wasn't paying enough attention.
It's one thing to leave it in for whatever reason. I get that. But the poster who says "it's mine and I don't care what you think" seems a bit over the top. That is why this world is so ugly because so many people only care about themselves.
As for the OP, I can see the person who hit the hitch being really upset, but unless there is a law that states the hitch is illegal to be on, he can't sue for damages. IF there is a law, he possibly could. I assume there isn't one if the cop told him you were not at fault (or the cop didn't know of the law).
* This post was
edited 07/21/12 07:51pm by JayWalker2009 *
tnscoutr wrote: I would say that your hitch saved you damage to your bumper. That being said, I remove mine because I cannot take the pain of wounded shins.
I kind of doubt that. I think seeing the back of that truck was far easier than seeing the hitch. He should have been paying closer attention but honestly, I can see how someone might just totally miss it, the same way many of you have banged your shins on it, and YOU (not YOU as in the person I quoted as you remove yours, the proverbial you as in the general population) know its there and still miss it. On that note, I can't imagine how so many can say someone who didn't know it was there should have seen it when some of you who know it is there have admittedly hit a shin more than once, fully knowing it is there. It's because those things happen, easily. Same thing with my awning bars, I KNOW they are there and have known that for years, but still yet end up hitting my head on one almost every trip.
Like I said in my last post, I'm not saying the OP was liable for the damage, but playing devil's advocate I can see how someone might park and hit it, as you just don't expect it to be there. If that had been me I woulnd't have told the owner he was liable for my damage or cussed him out or anything, but I can imagine being ticked off.
In all the times I have been in parking lots shopping, I am wracking my brain to try to remember if I have ever parked near anyone with the hitch still on. I can't think of even one instance, so I have to assume the majority of people take them off. Even when I go to the grocery store a half mile from our CG where most all of the campers go, in their TV's, I don't recall seeing this.
I think everyone who leaves them on should at least tie a bright orange rag around it or something, and add some visibility. Would also help you from hitting your own leg on it.
After reading the many replies to my post, I went out and measured how far the equalizer hitch sticks out from the rear of the Tundra. It is 13 inches from the bumper out. I will leave the hitch in from now on while traveling, since the person hit me and did no damage to my truck. I thought about it, if someone realy feels the need to put their car's nose right to my rear bumper, 13 inches is saving me damage. One of the reasons why I always park as far away from people as possible, is the Tundra's doors have to open very wide to get into, and I have been boxed in numerous times by someone that can't park between the lines.
That being said, when I am done with my trip, I do take the hitch off, but while out with the camper, it will remain on. If another person hits it again, I will sit back and tell them 13 inches, you shouldn't walk, park or drive that close to me.
I am disabled. My strong Son In Law installs my "Monkey Fist" prior to each camping trip for me. I cannot park out on the edge as others can. Mine stays in until we get home & he can remove it for me. Sometimes people just have to watch what they are doing/walking.
1999 F250 XLT Superduty Supercab 2WD, V10 pulling a 2006 Keystone Cougar 243 RKS
Oh yeah, the wife & Beagle come along too!
LawDogMass wrote: After reading the many replies to my post, I went out and measured how far the equalizer hitch sticks out from the rear of the Tundra. It is 13 inches from the bumper out. I will leave the hitch in from now on while traveling, since the person hit me and did no damage to my truck. I thought about it, if someone realy feels the need to put their car's nose right to my rear bumper, 13 inches is saving me damage. One of the reasons why I always park as far away from people as possible, is the Tundra's doors have to open very wide to get into, and I have been boxed in numerous times by someone that can't park between the lines.
That being said, when I am done with my trip, I do take the hitch off, but while out with the camper, it will remain on. If another person hits it again, I will sit back and tell them 13 inches, you shouldn't walk, park or drive that close to me.
So you are saying that you have a 13" no enter zone around your tundra. I wonder what is around mine?
Things that make you go HMMMMM!
2011 Ram Laramie Longhorn 3500 Dually Long Bed, Cummins 350/800 HO, Towin Machine
B&W Companion Hitch, Maghytec Trans and Rear Dif Covers, AMZ/OIL Top To Bottom
2007 1/2 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 27,000# Combined
So you are saying that you have a 13" no enter zone around your tundra. I wonder what is around mine?
Things that make you go HMMMMM!
Yes, that is what I am saying. No need of anyone being any closer. Think about it, you can not turn your ass around in 13 inches. I will gladly walk around your Ram with a few sharp objects, throw my doors open and park my junk car up against the Ram any day, if you don't mind. I will not do that though. It is just a matter of respect for another persons space, property and such. My folks raised me to not crowd people. These days people are all about getting into anothers space. I refuse to be that person.
LawDogMass wrote: So you are saying that you have a 13" no enter zone around your tundra. I wonder what is around mine?
Things that make you go HMMMMM!
Yes, that is what I am saying. No need of anyone being any closer. Think about it, you can not turn your ass around in 13 inches. I will gladly walk around your Ram with a few sharp objects, throw my doors open and park my junk car up against the Ram any day, if you don't mind. I will not do that though. It is just a matter of respect for another persons space, property and such. My folks raised me to not crowd people. These days people are all about getting into anothers space. I refuse to be that person.
Yup, respect for others is why I remove my hitch whan not in use.
Depends. It's off now since the last time I was able to use the trailer was over Memorial Day weekend.
That will change in September when football season starts. I plan on going to all the home and away games during September & October. Doing these 2 months, I doubt I will take the hitch out of the receiver.
Certainly will not during the weekend when at the game and unhitched, and probably not during the week when I'm back at work.
In essence, when using pulling the trailer every week, or every other week, I'll leave the hitch in the receiver. When going a month or more without using the trailer, I'll take the hitch out of the receiver.
Erroll, Mary, Duffy the Badger Dog plus "Ollie"
2009 HiLo Towlite 2209T
2005 F150 Supercab 4x4, w/ 5.4L
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