Trailer Hitch

[Golden Life]

First time owner of a new travel trailer. We picked it up Friday and went to a local state park for our first go at camping. Loved it and can?t wait to go again.  Our RV dealer installed a 10K pound tow hitch onto my F-150 for our 24? trailer. When not towing, that thing sticks out like a sore thumb.  My question is it too much trouble taking it off in between trips and should I just get used to the sight of it.  We?d like to go out local camping at least one weekend every four to six weeks. Thanks in advance!

 

[Oldgator73]

Are you suggesting removing the entire hitch or just the receiver sleeve?

 

[Golden Life]

I had the tow package factory installed.  The RV dealer installed the rest.  So, not knowing the terminology, I?d like to pull the pin and remove the ball hitch component.  It looks pretty heavy and I?m wondering if it?s worth the effort?  Also retired Air Force. Low mechanical ASVAB, obviously... haha!  Thank you!

 

[ro1459]

If you are talking about pulling the pin and removing the ball, yes. We have an Equalizer hitch system and just the ball weighs around 40 pounds. At 70 I have no problem removing it.

 

[Oldgator73]

What does your ball hitch component consist of? Do you have an equalizer hitch. I have never used one so don?t know if the equalizer part stays attached to the trailer or the truck. But if the ball unit sticks too far out from the truck and you are only towing occasionally I would remove it when not in use. Take pictures so you can refer back when reinstalling. My Mechanical ASVAB was high for some reason. Started out in Medical Admin, retrained into CE HVAC and then Electronic Controls. My son was also CE. Structures; welding, carpentry and sheet metal. My SIL is a commercial roofer with plumbing experience. We have a lot of bases covered.

 

[SpencerPJ]

I take mine out after every trip.  Store it in a compartment on the TT, along with the bars. It's actually a bad idea to leave it in, if someone hits you in rear end, medium hit, it can jepordize structural integrity.  I know ther are others that leave it in, actually like it to keep others away, but a friend of mine is an auto insurance adjuster and deals with this frequently.  Besides, I don't want the thing hanging out, it's hard on the legs when you run into it 

So yes, take it out, and also, buy a locking pin, you don't want someone to steal it off your truck, especially while you are camping.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Come on, guys! You are making a simple question complicated!!

Of course you can pull the pin and slide the ball mount out of the receiver tube.  That's why it has a pin! No need to knock your knee on the protruding ball mount.

The spring bars for the Equalizer brand hitch detach easily from both the ball and the trailer. No worries!

 

[lynnmor]

I remove the ball mount whenever a trailer is not attached.  To make it easy, I made a carry tool to help install in the receiver as well as in the coupler. 

 

[Joezeppy]

I bought a commercially-made version of lynnmor's lifting tool: http://www.hitchgrip.com. Love it!

 

[Golden Life]

Thanks for the feedback, folks.  I?ll be taking it off as it also triggers my backup sensors and beeps continuously when in reverse (when not towing).

Oldgator- I started off in Supply...did Traing Management then finished up as a 1st Sgt in Alaska.  My final squadron was CE. My favorite one in my 11 years as a Shirt.

 

[lynnmor]

I bought a commercially-made version of lynnmor's lifting tool: http://www.hitchgrip.com. Love it!

If you look at the second picture, you will see why I made one instead of the buying the Hitchgrip.  I store the hitch in the coupler for several reasons; the ball stays cleaner and grease is contained, it adds security to both the hitch and trailer when the latch is padlocked, it solves a storage problem and is out of the way when swung to the side.

 

[EdJunior]

While out camping, I usually left mine in for our side trips.  Between camping trips though, I always pulled mine and stored it with the equalizer bars in the storage bin of the TT.  It was a little heavy and unwieldy, but nothing unmanageable.  It's a lot lighter than my 5th wheel hitch, I'll say that!!

 

[Joezeppy]

If you look at the second picture, you will see why I made one instead of the buying the Hitchgrip.  I store the hitch in the coupler for several reasons; the ball stays cleaner and grease is contained, it adds security to both the hitch and trailer when the latch is padlocked, it solves a storage problem and is out of the way when swung to the side.

Definite!y an advantage of yours. And I was not knocking it at all. I wish I had the skills to make my own. I was merely offering an option that worked for me.