Please remove your hitch

SURPRISE PLUS TO LEAVING THE HITCH IN
I usually take my hitch off when not towing for long periods. Apart from shins and the fact that being rear ended with it on could do more hitch and frame damage than being hit with it off, there is less rust and it is easier to spot developing rust with the hitch off. HOWEVER, on one occasion having it on served me well. I have an extended hitch so I can drop my tailgate. I got boxed in tight in a parking spot and taking the hitch off gave me the extra room I needed to wiggle out. Maybe I will put an extended hitch on each end of the truck to keep from getting boxed in again (ironically on the "Boxing Day" holiday).

I read all the answers knowing the OP would get beat up. After all our society is a me first society and most never think of anyone else but themselves. I watched my 38 year old nephew run hard enough into mine that he needed stitches. After seeing that and the fact that my backup sensors won't work with the hitch in, if I'm not towing, it's not in the truck.

I worked heavy construction for 40+ years. The hitch was left on my trucks for fourty years. Some days I used it a lot, some weeks I never used it it.
I left it on for two reasons. 1. It was a pain to take it on and off that often 2. It was a waste of time and it is only illegal if it blocked the license plate.
People need to be responsible for themselves and watch where they are going. Next they will be asking us to remove our side view mirrors when we park at the grocery store.

Pretty sure it not legal to have a hitch receiver in when not towing here in Michigan. I see them all the time however but still don't make it right. I never drive around with one unless I am using it to tow. I have done that dance myself of getting a good shin buster from one. Don't recall ever doing it in a parking lot on someone else vehicle.

I'm kind of shocked at some of these answers here.

It takes 30 seconds to remove a draw bar. There is no need to put a draw bar on the back of the vehicle if you are not towing. Its called being considerate of others, people walk close to cars.. sometimes they don't have a choice. I don't want to be in a parking lot walking to my car, get past a truck and turn and walk into a hitch. Its easy to do and I have done it myself.

This kind of cr@p is why RV'ers and truck owners get a bad rap. We do things to intentionally create problems (pain) for others and then we spout personal responsibility and how its THEIR FAULT. Ya know that personal responsibility deal goes BOTH WAYS. Why would you want to intentionally set a booby trap for someone to bust their shins.. or a little kid take a draw bar to the chest or worse.

Please be considerate of others and take your draw bar out of the receiver when not in use.

As a byproduct, your draw bars will stay in better shape.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

I noticed that folks tend not to tailgate nearly as much with my hitch sticking out off the back of my truck.

:W

I think people should know where all their body parts are in relation to hazardous objects. Just went thru this yesterday. My 10yr old son was cutting a slice of banana bread with the knife coming down over his crossed wrists.(no injury) I showed him how to turn the loaf around and cut away from his body parts.
Leaving a hitch attached to a vehicle is purely a personal preference. I see no fault of the vehicle owner if someone walks into a part of it. Blaming someone else for one's inattention seems to be a common practice these days. Personal responsibility should be taught in school as the 4th R. Reading, Riting, Rithmatic, and Responsibility.
I hope your wife has a speedy recovery.

don,t worry she won,t do it again.

I too am sorry that your wife got hurt. But I bet she will not do that again.

It is the type of lesson that does not need to be repeated. P.S. I had the lesson on my own hitch. Never again.

I suppose you could look where you are going, mine will be in so watch out when walking by. I have walked into it myself, but it still stays