Trailer Hitch ....Regulations When Not Towing

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LuvRving
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Trailer Hitch ....Regulations When Not Towing

Post by LuvRving »

I just finished installing my new Rock Tamers mudflaps on my truck and a neighbour dropped by and informed me that a ball hitch assembly cannot be left on the truck when it's not needed for towing. The ball hitch assemble is the only way to keep the flaps on the truck. I don't need the ball but it sure looks great.

Apparently some lady somewhere walked into the hitch on some truck while it was parked in some parking lot and ended up in the hospital and eventually died of her injury. It does stick out at the rear of the truck but so does the mirrors. I've been sitting in my truck in a parking lot and had people walk into my mirrors. So, am I suppose to swing them in when I park or remove them all together.

Just wondering if anyone has ever heard of this?

I could cut the hitch off just behind the ball but that would be a shame and I just may need the ball in the future to tow a to small trailer sometimes.
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Re: Trailer Hitch ....Regulations When Not Towing

Post by Rob & Cathy »

LuvRving wrote: a neighbour dropped by and informed me that a ball hitch assembly cannot be left on the truck when it's not needed for towing.
I say it's nonsense!

Rob
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Re: Trailer Hitch ....Regulations When Not Towing

Post by Mike Clay »

Me too watch where your walking. So maybe we should also detach the bumpers when we park. Oh wait the mirrors can't forget that.
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Re: Trailer Hitch ....Regulations When Not Towing

Post by Double D's »

Then I suppose we need to remove our diamond plate bumper and running boards, too... Sounds like an ambulance chaser is out scouting!!! LOL!
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Re: Trailer Hitch ....Regulations When Not Towing

Post by sew2bhappy »

One thing to check is what the law is in Canada. I am not aware of any requirements of removal, but it could be very different where you live. And it may be based on how far out the ball sits from the bumper.

Remember we live in a time and place where to-go coffee must be labeled with warnings about contents being hot, and my blow dryer has a tag that is almost impossible to remove that tells me not to use while in the bathtub! :-w
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Re: Trailer Hitch ....Regulations When Not Towing

Post by Big Bird »

Careful, good ole California, where the inmates run the asylum, says if you have a bracket mounted ball extending beyond the bumper it is a violation of the law to leave it on when not towing. If the ball is attached to the bumper it is not a violation. Little chance of a ticket, but your insurance carrier may, I say may, reduce a claim if the ball causes damage to another vehicle or causes injury. Hey, it is also against the law to roller skate in an empty public swimming pool.
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Re: Trailer Hitch ....Regulations When Not Towing

Post by snoking »

Has been a California law for years. Concern is cars getting locked together in wrecks. Chris
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Re: Trailer Hitch ....Regulations When Not Towing

Post by dpalmer »

LuvRving wrote:I could cut the hitch off just behind the ball but that would be a shame and I just may need the ball in the future to tow a to small trailer sometimes.
I did just that. I had an older ball cut off and added a flat plate, then installed the Rock Tamers when towing the Bird. Works great :thumbrt: I tow a tool trailer without the Rock Tamers, but could slip them on if I wanted to :!:
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Re: Trailer Hitch ....Regulations When Not Towing

Post by BMullins46 »

I may be in trouble then because I've been leaving my hitch with the Rock Tamers attached to my truck all the time. I've bumped my shin on the little ball hitch left sticking out of the receiver more than once. Since I put the Rock Tamers on I haven't even come close to doing that on my truck. I think it's because the mud flaps stick out far enough to make me walk further out. Besides if some idiot is determined to tailgate me so close that he hits the hitch he deserves what he gets. Have to agree about the lawyers though always looking for another way to get into somebody's pocketbook.
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Re: Trailer Hitch ....Regulations When Not Towing

Post by Secondhand Mike »

I leave mine in the receiver all the time also. It sits just a little lower than the bumper which helps me step into the truck bed. For some reason my legs just don't seem to stretch as far as they used to.
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Re: Trailer Hitch ....Regulations When Not Towing

Post by EAW »

I leave mine in most of the time because I have a bolted on bracket that holds it stable in the receiver. I painted about six inches of the outside ends of the rod that holds the flaps and use a empty soup can to cover the ball which is also painted a bright orange. I don't hit my shins as much as I get into the grease on the ball if it isn't covered. I try to park away from others in parking lots and will back into a stall along the edge if possible so that the hitch does not stick out into the driving lane. With a full crew cab and eight foot bed plus the hitch, I know I am long.

Illinois tried to make the law back in 2009 but it died in session and could come back to life anytime. I think my setup would be considered as permanently attached since I have to use a wrench to remove it now.
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