How many leave hitch on all time ? It it legal in Illinois?

[82rude]

roffey that setup would make one hell of a pirate hand.

 

[jimmbo]

I got rear ended about 15 yrs ago, the cops never said boo about the ball and bar being there, it did bend the hitch, Class II at the time.
In the 40 yrs I have been towing, not once have I ever been jacked up for having the drawbar and ball installed.
Hitch Balls on the Bumper, if they are blocking the Licence Plate are not legal, It can prevent the Kojaks with Kodaks(Photo Radar) from getting all the letters

 

[jbuote]

Hmm..
I leave mine in all the time.. It's one of the 3 ball types so I just put the correct size up for towing..
I'm in RI though.. I know a couple local LEO's so I may just ask about that to be sure for my area anyway..
Reading all these, I may start taking it out when not in use anyway..
Not so much for legality, but so it doesn't go missing!

 

[dan t.]

I will tell you where it is illegal, Any Repair Shop. Mechanics will add to your bill after they take it in the shins or better yet the forehead ! This is fact !

Well, I have never added to the bill but there has been some colourfull language after a run in with a hitch. Now I just take them out when the vehicle is in the shop unless they are locked or seized in. They are legal to have on at all times here in B.C.

 

[Scaaty]

Only if it blocks reading the plate. Otherwise, I ALWAYS take mine off as that hard object and your shin sure don't mix!

 

[roscoe]

Kind of curious about all these shin digs mentioned above, pun intended

How long did it take you guys to start ducking your head when you get inside a car?
Or how many times have you slipped off a wet trailer tongue at the launch?

:facepalm:

 

[SeaDooSam]

I like keeping mine on for protection so people dont get too close to me when parking.
Maybe a better reason is you never know when you’ll come across a good deal on another boat you dont need

 

[Cajunchuck]

I leave mine on all the time. As far as I know it's not illegal here. Also seems to help with tailgaters a little LOL.

 

[roffey]

Kind of curious about all these shin digs mentioned above, pun intended

How long did it take you guys to start ducking your head when you get inside a car?
Or how many times have you slipped off a wet trailer tongue at the launch?

:facepalm:

I've slipped off the trailer when dipping the boat but to date, I have never walked into the hitch (watch ill do it today, lol.) Seems to me its close enough to the bumper not to be a problem.

 

[82rude]

Slipped off the hitch once now I have hip waders.

 

[JimS123]

I just can't fathom such a law. I guess i would be in violation.

My daily driver is used for my jetski. The hitch comes off when not in tow just because I don't want it to rust, and because it looks like crap.

My main towcar is a CAR and it does not have a receiver hitch. It has a class 3 Valley that is chrome plated, and the drawbar is not detachable.

So, what would the officer tell me - to crawl underneath and remove the 8 bolts that mount it to the frame?

 

[FredDog01]

my jeep had the same type non detachable never had any problems. This is why I thought he is misinformed.

 

[M2HB]

I have been towing and building trailers for over 40 years. I leave a heavy duty hitch in all my vehicles that have a receiver for them. My truck usually has a pintle hitch with a 2" ball on it. I also carry a 2-5/6" hitch in case I need it. Having a hitch in my receiver tube has saved the back of my vehicle several times in the last 40 years. I hear about legislators trying to pass laws to outlaw leaving them in. It is probably from some legislator that was texting while driving and ran into the back of someone's vehicle with a hitch on it and their car got severely damaged. If so, they deserved it.

 

[FredDog01]

This is the reason I keep my hitch on all the time (got rear ended on express way, diver motions to pull over to shoulder, I pull over to the right, he takes off to the left. Got stuck in traffic & can't chase him. He exits first exit & is gone).
Didn't have hitch on then, but sure do now.
Read Screech-Bang page 52 in SHT for other member reasons for leaving theirs on.:mad-new:

 

[FredDog01]

Hope this helps to clear this up https://www.ranger-forums.com/gener...-15/who-leaves-hitch-mounted-all-time-154227/

 

[Lightwin 3]

I always take it out because my wife and I are actually quite fond of our shins and knees..

 

[oldjeep]

I always take it out because my wife and I are actually quite fond of our shins and knees..

How in the world do you people walk into a trailer hitch?

 

[JimS123]

How in the world do you people walk into a trailer hitch?

The same way you walk into side mirrors.

 

[southkogs]

How in the world do you people walk into a trailer hitch?

In my case, it's typically with extreme prejudice ... :crutch:

When installed on either the pickup or the van, the hitch hangs out about 8" off the back bumper at the perfect shin killing height. If I don't intentionally take it off when I'm hauling stuff in either vehicle, I will sometimes forget it's there and add a new bruise to the collection.

 

[Lightwin 3]

How in the world do you people walk into a trailer hitch?

It's quite easy, especially in tight spaces.