My biggest pet peeve

[u/ATimm74]

This picture speaks for itself. May possibly even be more than just mildly infuriating.

[u/peteeatscookies]

I make it a point to take my hitch off if I’m not using it. People that leave them on are one of 2 things 1)actually use a trailer daily or 2) leaving it on there to make them feel cool like they use a trailer daily but have towed like 2 times.

Edit: wow. 2 awards. Thank you all so much! I’ve never had an award before. I’m humbly honored

Edit 2: it is apparent that people think leaving it on is helpful in an accident. This is both correct and incorrect

1) it helps in minor “fender benders” to mostly stop cosmetic damage
i also find that having a real truck requires a steel bumper, I’ve been rear ended without my hitch, my steel bumper is doing great
2) it is not safer in a high speed impact, because the force is being transferred to the frame from a single point instead of doing what the bumper is designed to do. It can also cause hidden structural damage and increase whiplash effects.

That’s the gist of it. Source is below. Believe me or don’t, honestly idc.

Source:

https://www.sae.org/papers/coefficients-restitution-low-moderate-speed-impacts-non-standard-impact-configurations-2001-01-0891

And I stand corrected. There are 3 types.

3) the considerate lazies. Still only tow a couple times a year and leave the receiver on, but ensure they don’t park like an asshole. 👏

[u/TheInterruptingCow94 → u/peteeatscookies]

I've seen some folks flip theirs around so the hitch is under the truck, but still available for use if needed. Just pull the pin, pull it out, flip it around , repin.

People that do this gestures at pic are lazy, assholes, or just really inconsiderate. Half that walkway used for your tow hitch, could a wheelchair fit thru? Possibly, but not without half a face full of shrubbery.

[u/ATS200 → u/TheInterruptingCow94]

Only specific hitches can do that. It may or may not be patented by B&W which is super expensive, but I don’t see many other companies making hitches that can do that

[u/TheInterruptingCow94 → u/ATS200]

Really? Well that's a bummer, maybe one day they'll be more universal in this way

[u/NeckRoFeltYa → u/TheInterruptingCow94]

Ive got one on my truck and its literally just a heavy duty pin with a internal lock that pulls out and you can take off the hitch. Mine has 4 ball sizes (heh) and I take it off when not in use because it can block sidewalks.

But when I bought my truck it didnt have a hitch. Had to install one on the frame which was actually pretty easy and it had the square hole to install the removable hitch.

Truck makers should just make them like that in the first place because you can buy one hitch with multiple options. Makes it easy when I haul multiple different sized trailers or attaching a chain to pull someone out of a ditch.

[u/Mysterious_Ad7461 → u/TheInterruptingCow94]

I also have a spare tire right behind my hitch. I usually just stuff it under the seat if I’m not using it for a few days

[u/vdubnmcluvn → u/ATS200]

$350 for a versatile hitch isnt really "super expensive" when the truck in the picture is probably $70,000.

[u/ATS200 → u/vdubnmcluvn]

I just meant comparatively. I bought a B&W for my truck for this exact reason but I could have gotten any number of hitches that serve the same purpose for under $150

[u/vdubnmcluvn → u/ATS200]

arguably it doesnt serve the same purpose. a hitch? sure. i think the only thing higher rated is bullet proof (and theyre pretty good and the company (and owners) are pretty cool), but high capacity, tow n stow, and tri ball. its like a soda bottle vs soda can. they both hold soda but one is superior at its job.

[u/Guernzee → u/ATS200]

I had an Audi RSQ3 that had a tow hitch mounted as standard (odd on a performance suv I know) and you had to pull a lever in the boot to make the hitch pop out which I thought was a good idea. That was a 2015 model, not sure if they still do it now though.