When to replace the hitch pin?

[swimmer_spe]

The pin for holding the hitch into the receiver is the only real thing holding our trailers to our trucks. Mine is new, but it got me thinking, how often should it be replaced?

[Grit_dog]

bucky wrote:
Safety chains are the back up for those pesky pins.
I only replace them when I have no idea where I put it. For years now I have put it back in the receiver when finished towing.

Lol, really? Not the replacing part, the safety chain part…unless I missed the sarcasm, in which case, a hearty LOL!

[mleekamp]

x2 on everything opnspaces said.

I not only keep an extra hitch pin, but a few extra clips as I find they walk off on occasion...and it's NEVER my fault. 😉

[opnspaces]

If the pin is smooth and undamaged I would leave it alone. I would replace it if it's showing signs of damage like maybe the receiver tube gouging into the surface of the pin.

A few weeks ago I noticed that a replacement pin for a 2 inch receiver is a whole $3 on Amazon. At that price I ordered a few extras since I have multiple hitches at home. I also keep an extra in the center console of the Suburban as a just in case.
Amazon

[ferndaleflyer]

Not a pin but I once had a ball shear off where the rounded part starts. The lower part was still in place. This happened at 70 mph on I-40 the Friday evening before the 4th of July. Thanks to safety chains and a big enough truck damage was minimal. But what a traffic mess. I guess a pin could fail.

[nickthehunter]

When was the last time you have seen someone break a pin?

[bucky]

Safety chains are the back up for those pesky pins.
I only replace them when I have no idea where I put it. For years now I have put it back in the receiver when finished towing.

[JRscooby]

Do you really think that little pin has that much force on it towing a trailer?
I think there is a lot of friction with the TW pushing down causing the 2 square tubes to bind together. And if the ball mount is not removed often, rust will lock them together. I pull my ballmount whenever I unhook. Pin in hand, I'm certain I would notice before it failed under load. Bet most wear on the pin is when trailer is not hooked up.
Now I do keep both the pin, and the safety pin that holds it in place in my "in case" tool box. Don't expect to break, but I have lost a few.