For those that like to leave it in place......you do know that with the thinking of "it will protect me if anyone rear ends me" is ridiculous! I work in a body shop and have seen frames damaged because the hitch acts as a lever and makes it very easy to fold a frame down when rear ended! many of them were totaled because it costs too much to replace a frame.
I remove mine whenever it`s not being used. it protects it from the elements, and it keeps me or anyone else from running into it with their shin! plus it reduces potential damage to my truck in case of an accident. and it won`t rust in place!
And yes sometimes it`s necessary to walk close to some ones truck, so don`t get upset when you are told it is unnecessary to leave it in place!