Receiver hitch - bad idea to leave in daily?

[NYRunner]

I don't see what difference it makes, only real downside i can see is if you're not paying attention and walk into it lol. I think the more/less damage argument depends o. The situation, and honestly don't think it makes much difference anyway.

True story. I did it so many times in the dark I cut a hole in a tennis ball to put over it so it stands out better. To me and to cars parking behind me

 

[Humble Leader]

I keep my recovery hitch in without the d ring. I bought a factor 55 and was seeing how I like it/ how it fit and if it would rattle. I've kept it in ever since and haven't taken it out. you get used to where it is when you're unloading/loading the trunk, I have whacked my shins on it a couple times but that's about it

For practicality purposes, I'd rather have a hitch step on there so I can actually get at the top of the roof at the back. I haven't found any steps that I really like so I just use my recovery hitch as a mini step if I have to

for low speed impacts with cars the recovery hitch or receiver hitch helps. if you get hit by a truck that sits higher up their grille might still end up going into your tailgate anyway. it's all cheap plastic at the front of cars/trucks anyway, it doesn't take much force to break it apart and if someone is going to rear end me I'd prefer not to have any damage. I've been rear ended twice, both times I was stopped, one time person fled, the other time they ended up buying a new bumper cover for my wife's vehicle. even if you're not out of pocket $, you're out of pocket time to deal with it

never been rear ended in the 4runner though

 

[The4RunnerDude]

I always take it off when not in use...mainly because I know quite a few people in my neck of the woods whose trailer hitch was stolen. Of course you can always buy a locking hitch pin, but I just take it off and throw it in with my recovery gear when not in use. Plus, it eliminates any potential issues, or me banging my shin and then subsequently punching something, and I've also drug the hitch before in the past on some steep angled driveways.

 

[John in NC]

I leave mine in.
I got bumped pretty hard from behind by a gal a few years ago in my last car (Trooper) and didn't have the ball in. She bolted on me and I chased for a bit but stopped as it quickly got dangerous for other drivers. She had no plates on the vehicle.
Anyways, if I had the ball etc. in, she would have had issues.
Call it mean spirited on my part, but if someone is staring at their phone and hits me from behind...
I agree it keeps people from parking too close as well.
And storing it in the back unsecured is dangerous if you were to get into a serious wreck.

 

[salsanacho]

I leave mine in the cargo area. I hate it when I forget it’s in the receiver and walk into it ... :Cry:

I used to do that all the time, so now I always take it off when not in use.

 

[DAW89446]

id rather it be in the hitch receiver square, rather than inside the passenger compartment as a 10lbs+ steel block ready to injure occupants in the event of a collision.

That is a valid point and I agree. Lately I’ve been leaving the hitch in the back because I’m using it for brief periods on a near daily basis for pulling a drag because I’m developing a new property. Otherwise I keep it in a utility box mounted to my trailer.

 

[MAST4R]

I keep my hitch protector there. It is technically a skid plate for front hitches. But at 1/5 the price of rear hitch offroad skids, it does exactly the same job offroad.

I have used a recovery insert successfully for the same purpose, but I feel this is better offroad and easier to see on the vehicle. I don't recall having bumped into it.

 

[H20ratt]

Pros and Cons

Pros, in rear impact at low speeds can save you a trip to get fixed, and does a number on tailgaters radiators, Good stepping point when securing canoes to roof
Cons- shin danger zone...

 

[Ripper238]

My daughter swears by her receiver hitch. Its saved her a few times from major damage from being rear-ended.

She will be putting one on her new car and she never tows anything.

 

[TRD PANTHER]

Mine has helped a lot. I take it out when I go 4 Wheeling for better ingress/egress.

 

[Humble Leader]

I have this bad boy in right now. tow ball, step and recovery hitch in one - stays in all the time. Weighs about 15lbs and is solid as a rock. 10,000lb recovery capacity, 7,500lb tow capacity. the steel around the clevis actually rotates to reduce friction on tow and recovery straps. very convenient for anyone who wants to tow and not have to swap out their tow ball for a standard recovery hitch all the time. the serious offroaders won't like it because it's heavy and does reduce your angles a bit. the ball itself is probably high enough for most applications and utility trailers. most trailers have a tongue height of 18-20". the 4runner will squat a bit under load so this would be pretty close. it's made by reese, there's an adjustable ball mount version but that kills your ground clearance since it's a 5inch drop and would rattle a whole lot

I haven't had to really test this yet but I suspect this winter I might be pulling some people out of snow banks with it

 

[MN_Pat]

How many responded, it's not the vehicles it's my shins:boink:

Add me to the list. Hey, add my 78 year old dad to the list. It's just an accident waiting to punish you sitting back there! What is constantly amazing is how the vehicle just doesn't seem to budge even when the swearing starts. Neither of us keeps it in if it won't be used in a day or so.

I can keep it in with the jack so it can't go flying during an accident. However the pin is loose sitting on the rear driver wheel well little tray. Two years so far and haven't misplaced it yet.

 

[MartinMankat]

The hitch / ball mount is great when backing up if you have a back camera. It shows where you are relative to obstructions.

 

[rickl]

How many responded, it's not the vehicles it's my shins:boink:

When I hit my shins on it, that's bad, but when my wife hit hers . . . well, it comes out when not in use. It's a matter of priorities, and revenge against bad drivers is much lower on my list than my wife's comfort.

 

[Billy Beansss]

I have never heard of or read anything that says you shouldn't do that for impact reasons.

I think if you're in an accident and they impact your hitch ball, they were going to hit your receiver anyways

 

[?????]

Prep the hitch for long term mounting (ie. paint the hitch with a durable coating or regularly apply rust prevention) and you will be fine.

Just make sure whatever you are using to lock the attachment also receives the same treatment to prevent it from becoming a pain in the ass to remove.

I've personally had to grind off a couple pins due to long term installment and while I personally enjoy the amount of free beer that was given, PLEASE take the time to apply even a little bit of care.