I pulled the hitch out of the truck bed last spring to do some hauling. I just put it back into the truck the exact same way it came out, but it got me thinking. Right now the clips on the pins are under the hitch meaning the two front ones heads are facing the crew cab, while the back two are facing the tailgate. Since you're "pulling" a load is there a common sense reason why the pins should face any certain direction? I would think maybe the heads should all face the crew cab since clips would break way sooner. Or are the clips under the hitch so there is less chance of them snagging on something and pulling out? This is the part in question:CLICKYThanks in advance.

The pins are only in shear load so it doesn't matter. I put them in the same way as you because it's easier.

I figured as much, but there seems to be a trick to just about everything when you're on the road. Even if it's just urban legend, it makes people feel safer.

I always try to put them in so they are the most difficult to remove. Sometimes you'll hear stories about pranksters removing the pins just for fun.

With my slider hitch, I was told to keep the pins on the outside and not under the slider rail portion of the hitch.

JesLookin wrote:I always try to put them in so they are the most difficult to remove. Sometimes you'll hear stories about pranksters removing the pins just for fun.I do the same, for the same reason. Plus, the clips are less likely to be hit by anything sliding around in the truck bed.Makes no difference as far as function.

Any common sense logic on how the pins/clips face.

38 Replies

Learjet
Explorer
Oct 01, 2015
I have a simple solution to the paranoia issue :)

………LOOK at the hitch before leaving in the truck….I start at the base and look at all the connections locks etc….Every time if I have been away from the truck :)
ZOSO
Explorer
Sep 30, 2015
JesLookin wrote:
I always try to put them in so they are the most difficult to remove. Sometimes you'll hear stories about pranksters removing the pins just for fun.

This is why myself and others, drill out the little hole in the pin a bit and put a tiny, key operated padlock in place of the clip. Still only going to keep the smalltime pranksters at bay but every little bit helps. A sturdy lock on the release handle is a must. Hitches should come from the factory with a release handle lock.
CWSWine
Explorer
Sep 30, 2015
Going back to my days working on helicopters - Bolt heads go in the direction of rotation or the direct of flight if possible. LOL
bpounds
Nomad
Sep 30, 2015
JesLookin wrote:
I always try to put them in so they are the most difficult to remove. Sometimes you'll hear stories about pranksters removing the pins just for fun.

I do the same, for the same reason. Plus, the clips are less likely to be hit by anything sliding around in the truck bed.

Makes no difference as far as function.
korbe
Explorer
Sep 30, 2015
With my slider hitch, I was told to keep the pins on the outside and not under the slider rail portion of the hitch.
JesLookin
Explorer
Sep 30, 2015
I always try to put them in so they are the most difficult to remove. Sometimes you'll hear stories about pranksters removing the pins just for fun.
John_Joey
Explorer
Sep 30, 2015
I figured as much, but there seems to be a trick to just about everything when you're on the road. Even if it's just urban legend, it makes people feel safer.
12thgenusa
Explorer
Sep 30, 2015
The pins are only in shear load so it doesn't matter. I put them in the same way as you because it's easier.

Forum Discussion

Any common sense logic on how the pins/clips face.

38 Replies

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