Hitch Stolen. . . GRRRRR

[CanoeStream]

There have been various threads about other aspects of pilferage; eg, weight distributing bars. The Reese Dual Cam chain assembly is pretty easy to walk off with and some of us take those off when mischievous teens abound in campgrounds -- depends on how unsupervised your campsite might be. Me? I never sleep ...

[eubank]

We keep ours locked, too, but there are worse people out there than hitch thieves: A year or so ago, I drove the truck alone to Walmart (23 miles away), parked, when in, came back out, drove home, parked. The next day I happened out and saw the right front of the truck (which I didn't see at Walmart). It was nicely bashed in.


Lynn

[Melody Ranch]

Its a theft past time here. Every time I leave an unlocked hitch in the socket it gets stolen. Airport, grocery, courthouse, etc. They just go to Mexico without you.

[yukionna]

Originally Posted by CanoeStream

There have been various threads about other aspects of pilferage; eg, weight distributing bars. The Reese Dual Cam chain assembly is pretty easy to walk off with and some of us take those off when mischievous teens abound in campgrounds -- depends on how unsupervised your campsite might be.

Someone I know had their flag and flagpole stolen overnight while camped at a Region rally.

[RoadKingMoe]

The Hensley drawbar stays in a big yellow plastic toolbox we bought for the purpose. The boat drawbar stays in a vinyl bag Barb sewed for it under the truck seat. The receiver is plugged with a Harley-Davidson Bar and Shield cover when not in use. All are secured with a locking pin when in place.

Several years back I made the mistake of leaving a drawbar in the receiver over winter here. Come spring, after driving in saltwater all winter, I ALMOST didn't get it out. Took a lot of PB Blaster and a really big hammer to free it up.

[azflycaster]

I keep mine locked when in use. I remove it when I have the trailer back in storage. The hitch stays with the trailer (locked inside). The garage door will not close with the hitch attached.

[Jim Clark]

Originally Posted by RoadKingMoe

The Hensley drawbar stays in a big yellow plastic toolbox we bought for the purpose. The boat drawbar stays in a vinyl bag Barb sewed for it under the truck seat. The receiver is plugged with a Harley-Davidson Bar and Shield cover when not in use. All are secured with a locking pin when in place.

Several years back I made the mistake of leaving a drawbar in the receiver over winter here. Come spring, after driving in saltwater all winter, I ALMOST didn't get it out. Took a lot of PB Blaster and a really big hammer to free it up.

I would of used the chain and telephone pole method.

[BeBop]

I once left my "drawbar" in the receiver after I set up the unit.

The "drawbar" is called a "stinger" if you have a Hensley.

What an appropriate name... enough said!

[Wharf Rats]

Mine stays on the back of the truck. It is ugly, rusty and nasty, anyone who lives in south florida during season knows why. It says BACK OFF. --Mark--

[jcanavera]

I've had a set of aircraft aluminum wheel chocks stolen when at a Myrtle Beach campground.

Jack

[clancy_boy]

Originally Posted by Jim Clark

I would of used the chain and telephone pole method.

Hah - had to laugh - BEEN THERE - DONE THAT

Funny thing was the slight tug as it all came under tension and then finally gave and came out - I used a pine tree.

[clancy_boy]

Originally Posted by bhayden

Our's comes off when not towing so we can put the bike rack back on. I really like the tip I got, think it was from this forum, about locking the hitch assembly back on to the recepticle on the trailer. Spin it around so that it's under the tungue and it's secure, out of the way and not getting grease all over stuff in the van.

My mother-in-law (little old lady) leaves hers on 'cause it's too heavy for her to toss around. Yep, hurts like the dickens when you walk into it

Thought that was what the pink flamingos were for.

[gyandell]

Sorry about the flag and pole. Flag should have been brought in at dusk. What was this thread about again. The size of some ball?

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by gyandell

Sorry about the flag and pole. Flag should have been brought in at dusk. What was this thread about again. The size of some ball?

Yes, and the answer is 2 5/16"...
At some rallies, there is enough nighttime illumination to be able to leave the flag out without violating flag protocols.

[sd90mac]

Ok, here's the deal. If someone wants to steal the hitch off Goliath, let them. That sucker weighs 50 pds and there is no weigh I'm giving chase to someone who can pick that up and run with it!!!

Besides I have many bruises on bad knees from the hitch. Yes, I know it's there, but usually in a hurry. Love to watch the older people back off when they see that hitch sticking out, and the younger me first generation slam on the brakes when they see they are about to impale their radiators on it.

"Gee officer, you mean they can't see that, why are they driving" snicker, snicker, snicker.

Marie

[overlander63]

Looks like the three of us that live in Southwest Florida leave theirs on, for the same reason. I used the chain and pole method with our conversion van when we first bought it. It was stuck so bad I had to heat the head with a torch, put tension on it by gunning the engine while in drive, and have an employee beat the ^%$%$ out of it with a 48 ounce hammer.

[yukionna]

Originally Posted by gyandell

Sorry about the flag and pole. Flag should have been brought in at dusk.

The flag doesn't need to be brought in at dusk if it is lit, which this one was.

Many of us in the NEU have rigged up special flag lights which we turn on at night. It is pretty spectacular looking to see a line of Airstreams after dark with lit up flags blowing in the breeze. Sorry to continue to digress.

P.S.
Ball size is 2 5/16.

[azflycaster]

Not only do I lock the hitch in place when camping. I lock my secondary power thruster in place when I am not. BTW, this thing saves me 3-5 MPG.

[Jim & Susan]

Originally Posted by jcanavera

I've had a set of aircraft aluminum wheel chocks stolen when at a Myrtle Beach campground.

Jack

I have a question, who was Myrtle and why did they name a beach after her?

Jim

[azflycaster]

Easy question...

Myrtle Beach was incorporated as a town in 1938 and became a city in 1957. Its name comes from the wax myrtle, a shrub that grows abundantly in the area.