|
|
07-19-2011, 02:44 PM
|
#41
|
Rivet Master
Vintage Kin Owner
Lin
, Ne
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,430
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gringo
I'm not sure whether that reminds me more of a Halloween costume, or something that came packed in a plain brown wrapper from a store that also rents questionable videos and sells a lot of strangely shaped air mattresses.
|
I see halloween....
|
|
|
07-19-2011, 03:18 PM
|
#42
|
"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 19,977
|
YES... but they can't say they didn't see it.
__________________
"You don't know where you've been until you leave, enjoy life" RLC
|
|
|
07-19-2011, 05:37 PM
|
#43
|
3 Rivet Member
2014 25' FB Flying Cloud
Santa Rosa
, California
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 114
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrUKToad
Thanks for this thread and commiserations to the OP who lost his hitch.
I've always removed and stowed the torsion bars, sway bars and (big and chunky) hitch assembly away out of sight, despite the inconvenience factor. It's not the monetary value that concerns me but having to find a new hitch if you're out in the boondocks somewhere and some creep steals it. It's also about people not cracking their shins on it in the dark!
I also slip a padlock on each of the X-chocks, primarily to stop someone pinching the chocks themselves.
I never drive the tow vehicle with the hitch assembly fitted (but with no trailer) because I saw the mess that a hitch ball made of the front of my brother's Mini when he hit the back of a vehicle fitted with one. I guess it's a safety thing for me.
Goodness! I've just read that back and I sound SO virtuous! Where can I get a good halo buffing kit?
|
I want you and Mrs. Toad on my team.
|
|
|
07-19-2011, 07:11 PM
|
#44
|
Rivet Master
1995 30' Excella
Bowie
, Maryland
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,345
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrUKToad
Thanks for this thread and commiserations to the OP who lost his hitch.
I've always removed and stowed the torsion bars, sway bars and (big and chunky) hitch assembly away out of sight, despite the inconvenience factor. It's not the monetary value that concerns me but having to find a new hitch if you're out in the boondocks somewhere and some creep steals it. It's also about people not cracking their shins on it in the dark!
I also slip a padlock on each of the X-chocks, primarily to stop someone pinching the chocks themselves.
I never drive the tow vehicle with the hitch assembly fitted (but with no trailer) because I saw the mess that a hitch ball made of the front of my brother's Mini when he hit the back of a vehicle fitted with one. I guess it's a safety thing for me.
Goodness! I've just read that back and I sound SO virtuous! Where can I get a good halo buffing kit?
|
LOL. I always take mine out ("always"...like I've had the trailer for more than six weeks and two trips), because I don't want to crack my shin and get grease on myself in the process.
I've always hated when people leave them on in parking lots, and like you I'm afraid of it being stolen - which sounds like it's very possible. I lock the entire hitch up in the back of the truck while camping, or in the camper while it's at home.
On the flip side, I always left the hitch ball in on the B190, at least until the accident damaged it. In that, though, you couldn't walk into it without also walking into the spare tire - it didn't stick out very far (it wasn't a WD hitch, just a simple ball for the tow dolly).
__________________
1995 Airstream Classic 30' Excella 1000
2014 Ram 2500 Crew Cab with Cummins 6.7L Diesel
Sold but not forgotten: 1991 Airstream B190
Sold: 2006 F-250 6.0L Powerstroke Supercab
|
|
|
07-22-2011, 07:43 PM
|
#45
|
Rivet Master
Commercial Member
2000 25' Excella
Kingston
, Tennessee
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 905
|
Well, we ordered a new hitch (just the part that was stolen) today. We have a 500.00 deductible on our insurance, so we had to pay for this out of pocket. We got one for 160.00 here a local RV parts store. Regular price was 245.00 but they gave us a deal since we buy so much from them. Needless to say this one will be stored when not in use!! Sure wish we could have walked up on these guys as they were stealing our hitch!!!!
|
|
|
07-22-2011, 09:39 PM
|
#46
|
Rivet Master
Port Orchard
, Washington
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 4,463
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS
I seem to recall it's illegal in Florida to drive around with your ball showing, if not toeing, remove it.
Still the case?
|
It may be illegal to have your ball showing, but from what
I've seen on the beach, it is OK to have your butt showing.
Ken
|
|
|
07-22-2011, 10:59 PM
|
#47
|
Rivet Master
1959 17' Pacer
Long Beach
, California
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 920
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by w7ts
It may be illegal to have your ball showing, but from what
I've seen on the beach, it is OK to have your butt showing.
Ken
|
There are two aspects to this that I am aware of, and only one pertains to the California law.
1. Hitch receiver mounts and the balls provide a dangerous vehicle protusion in the event of an accident. Many people leave them in to save their bumpers in a collision, but in a real collision, you don't want a solid, sturdy object directly connected to your frame to be the first things hit. In fact, you want a slowly breakable thing to absorb the impact and force slowly so that your body and neck have less to take. Sure, it may save you from a hassle and $300 during small collisions, but is it worth lowering the safety of your own vehicle. And I'm not even beginning to address the fact that it is a pointy projectile sticking out into whatever car hits you. (Would you be okay with someone driving around with a sword bolted on to the front of their frame, going 6" past their bumper? Regardless, I'm not aware if there are any states that make them illegal for this reason.
2. On a vehicle like an older pickup truck, it is very possible that your ball mount may be level with your license plate, and only a few inches in front of it. In some cases, the ball is actually mounted on the bumper-- and in all those cases, the license plate is now obscured, which is illegal when not towing a trailer. That is where people in California get tickets. I promise.
|
|
|
07-23-2011, 04:57 AM
|
#48
|
"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 19,977
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by w7ts
It may be illegal to have your ball showing, but from what
I've seen on the beach, it is OK to have your butt showing.
Ken
|
I was waiting for that....
ST,
A little cornfuzed, $245.00 semz a little steep. Waz it just the stinger?
Bob
__________________
"You don't know where you've been until you leave, enjoy life" RLC
|
|
|
07-23-2011, 06:25 AM
|
#49
|
2 Rivet Member
2006 19' International CCD
Hatboro
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 53
|
A few years back I was fishing and when we were getting our boat out of the lake the local police asked me how long I was there , and if I had seen anything, when I asked why some ones boat trailer was stolen right off the back of their truck , they had locked the ball to the draw bar , but not the draw bar to the truck , I make sure its locked ever since ,
Kipper
|
|
|
07-23-2011, 08:06 AM
|
#50
|
Rivet Master
1968 28' Ambassador
Cedaredge
, Colorado
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,542
|
Guess im lucky. Mine is and old one and looks like crap. (paint scratched and all) was thinking or repainting. Maybe I won't it may detour them from taking it..
__________________
Jason
May you have at least one sunny day, and a soft chair to sit in..
2008 5.7 L V8 Sequoia
AIR # 31243
WBCCI # 6987
FOUR CORNERS UNIT
|
|
|
07-23-2011, 08:43 AM
|
#51
|
Rivet Master
2012 28' International
Currently Looking...
New Orleans
, Louisiana
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,077
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by worldinchaos
There are two aspects to this that I am aware of, and only one pertains to the California law.
1. Hitch receiver mounts and the balls provide a dangerous vehicle protusion in the event of an accident. Many people leave them in to save their bumpers in a collision, but in a real collision, you don't want a solid, sturdy object directly connected to your frame to be the first things hit. In fact, you want a slowly breakable thing to absorb the impact and force slowly so that your body and neck have less to take. Sure, it may save you from a hassle and $300 during small collisions, but is it worth lowering the safety of your own vehicle. And I'm not even beginning to address the fact that it is a pointy projectile sticking out into whatever car hits you. (Would you be okay with someone driving around with a sword bolted on to the front of their frame, going 6" past their bumper? Regardless, I'm not aware if there are any states that make them illegal for this reason.
2. On a vehicle like an older pickup truck, it is very possible that your ball mount may be level with your license plate, and only a few inches in front of it. In some cases, the ball is actually mounted on the bumper-- and in all those cases, the license plate is now obscured, which is illegal when not towing a trailer. That is where people in California get tickets. I promise.
|
As to number 1, I just added rear step to my 2011 F150 and didn't remember the rear bumper having any design feature to absorb a impact so I checked, I sure don't see any. The bumper is attached to the same frame the hitch is attached to so I don't see any difference in the way an impact will be transferred. Removing the stinger dose not remove the receiver which is flush with the bumper which will transfer the impact to the frame.
I dosen't sound like you are lowering the safety standard of your pickup because there is none for the rear.
NHSTA Says
4) Are all vehicle classes required to meet the Federal bumper standard?
No. The Federal bumper standard does not apply to vehicles other than passenger cars (i.e., sport utility vehicles (SUVs), minivans, or pickups trucks). The agency has chosen not to regulate bumper performance or elevation for these vehicle classes because of the potential compromise to the vehicle utility in operating on loading ramps and off road situations.
Bumper Questions and Answers
As to number 2, I guess all the rock guards, light bars, cow catchers, winches, bike racks, and assorted stuff that is added to the front of a pickup truck should not be allowed.
I just pointing out that there is not really much difference to leaving the hitch in or not and yes it may save you $300 but removing it probably won't save your neck.
__________________
Jim N5TJZ Air# 174
2012 International Serenity 28
2005 Safari 25 SS Traded
1968 Globetrotter Sold
2011 F150 Ecoboost
|
|
|
07-29-2011, 10:32 AM
|
#52
|
Rivet Master
1959 17' Pacer
Long Beach
, California
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 920
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Clark
As to number 2, I guess all the rock guards, light bars, cow catchers, winches, bike racks, and assorted stuff that is added to the front of a pickup truck should not be allowed.
|
I'm not saying you necessarily have to follow the law to the letter, but yeah in a lot of cases you actually are supposed to remount your license plate if it's not visible due to an item mounted on the rear. I think the best example is a bike rack. People are free to do whatever they want, but I just try to minimize any reason for a cop who is having a bad day to add extra fines to my ticket.
And I'm not getting into the debate on #1, I just wanted to point out one perspective. I've learned my lesson after the conversation on another forum turned into "if they drive sedans and not trucks then it's their own fault for getting hurt in the accident". I gave up then and there.
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|