Missing cotter pin in hitch

[Hans627]

Originally Posted by TBRich

We use a locking hitch pin ... always have. They are not expensive. We have two sets of keys...one is just for the trailer ... the other is for the house and the truck. The hitch pin key lives with the truck keys, so I always have it handy when it's time to put the hitch on.

You use something like this?

[rmkrum]

Yup. Exactly. They also have a hardened sleeve for the pin to adapt to the larger class IV hitch pin holes. But be aware they look secure, but the cylinder is fairly easy to drill out with the right tools. They are tamper resistant but not theft proof, just saying.

Lost a key to one, and it was off in five minutes after I determined it was coming off no matter what...

Keeping the key with the truck keys is a darn fine idea. Wish I'd thought of it earlier [emoji22]

[joshjack]

I use a bolt lock brand hitch lock keyed to my truck - no extra key to lose...

[kleimanr]

Hitch theft is another reason to have a locking pin. Scrap iron guy will pay cash for a brand new one, no questions ask.

[TBRich]

Originally Posted by Hans627

You use something like this?

I've seen those and presume they work fine...the one we use is a different design...this particular one is available from trailer.com for $12 & change. I can't remember where we bought ours. If I had to guess I'd say Camping World.

[TG Twinkie]

I guess I am old school. I use a 5/8" grade 8 bolt. Double nutted plus the hairpin clip.
If someone wants to steal my stinger they had better be carrying some wrenches and be willing to spend time to remove the hairpin and 2 nuts.

[joshjack]

This is the one to use right here - no extra key:


Boltlock 5/8" receiver lock keyed to your vehicle

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Best guess - the pin was not all the way in and it shook out. Put in a new pin all the way and move on. For "added security" give it a bend with a pair of piers.

Bob

[John Geisen]

Originally Posted by KJRitchie

Buy a lockable pin. I left my pin out accidentally and my AS pulled out the receiver. Luckily, it happened two streets from my house and I was going slow around a corner. Dropped down the the Equalizer shank. Trailer's power jack ran into the Tundra bumper and dented it and ruined the jack which dented the propane cover. I had to replace the jack and eventually purchased a new propane tank cover. Luckily no damage to the Airstream. Can't imagine what would happen if it pulled out going 60mph.

Kelvin

A few years ago we were headed north from Florida. Of course, lots of last minute commotion just before departure. We then drove from West Palm Beach to southern Georgia before stopping to spend the night. In the morning as we were leaving the park, the hitch pulled out of the receiver. Even though the two crossed chains held the bulk of the weight we still made about a 12 foot groove in the camps black topped driveway. It was then that I realized that I hadn't put the hitch pin into the receiver. Talk about lucky! We drove from south Florida to southern Georgia without our pin. I sat there for about 30 minutes realizing I escaped a major accident. It was a quiet day driving with the wife the nest day. -John