Share Pics of People Hauling or Towing Something Wrong

[3 Horse Ranch]

I'd rather not have it become a missle in the cab with me if I am involved in an accident. They walk into it once on the back of the truck and learn to look where they are going.

If mine became a missile in my truck, my truck would have hit or been hit hard enough to kill everyone in the cab anyway, so the point is moot. I keep it stowed in a compartment under the seat, not on the floor of the back seat.

 

[ning]

In many places it is illegal to leave them in if not towing something...

I've heard this and read anecdotes to this effect but I haven't seen a legal reference, at least for the US, but if you read it on the internet it must be true.

I do know that you can't obscure the license plate with anything, including an unoccupied trailer ball.

I saw someone claim that because the bumper is supposed to be the farthest thing back, a hitch is in violation, but it's not actually called out in the law books, and there are countless statements on the net saying that there are no laws in any of the states outlawing leaving it in.

Apparently a lawmaker in Illinois attempted to pass such a law but I think that "session sine die" means "we'll look at this ... another day ... maybe ..." and that was in 2011, so not there.

Considering that in general you can have stuff sticking out the back of the vehicle up to 4' without even a flag, it doesn't make sense that you can't have a hitch attached.

Personally I leave mine in because I use the top of the drop hitch as a step to get the the bed of my truck sometimes (no tailgate; shell has panel doors), and the truck is usually parked out of the way so it's not a ready injury source. I occasionally remove the hitch if I'm going to be parking in a bigger city against theft, but some people around here still leave their keys in the car when they go into the store (local town literally passed an ordinance against doing so because a couple times kids took them on joyrides...).

 

[/pine]

I've heard this and read anecdotes to this effect but I haven't seen a legal reference, at least for the US, but if you read it on the internet it must be true.

I do know that you can't obscure the license plate with anything, including an unoccupied trailer ball.

I saw someone claim that because the bumper is supposed to be the farthest thing back, a hitch is in violation, but it's not actually called out in the law books, and there are countless statements on the net saying that there are no laws in any of the states outlawing leaving it in.

Apparently a lawmaker in Illinois attempted to pass such a law but I think that "session sine die" means "we'll look at this ... another day ... maybe ..." and that was in 2011, so not there.

Considering that in general you can have stuff sticking out the back of the vehicle up to 4' without even a flag, it doesn't make sense that you can't have a hitch attached.

Personally I leave mine in because I use the top of the drop hitch as a step to get the the bed of my truck sometimes (no tailgate; shell has panel doors), and the truck is usually parked out of the way so it's not a ready injury source. I occasionally remove the hitch if I'm going to be parking in a bigger city against theft, but some people around here still leave their keys in the car when they go into the store (local town literally passed an ordinance against doing so because a couple times kids took them on joyrides...).

LoL...A lot of times the fact checkers on the Internet are the ones that are wrong...!

In many cases it is city or county ordinances that make it illegal to leave a receiver hitch in when vehicles are parked in public parking areas...

 

[ning]

Here's a case of hauling or towing something wrong - though it was only very briefly and definitely unintentially by the guy with the truck & trailer. No tiedowns at all, tsk tsk

 

[dodge man]

The truth is having your draw bar and ball in your hitch isn’t going to make a lot of difference in a major impact. In a minor one it might poke a hole is someone’s car and take out a radiator.

 

[Jstpssng]

I've been "tapped" 4 times in the same town. Twice within 10 minutes, and the other two times I was on the same bridge. Only one resulted in any damage, and the way that he had been driving; following too close, and waiting until the last second to brake at every light; I knew that it was a matter of time before he hit me.
I got out, looked at the puddle of anti freeze under his company van and saw that there was no damage to my truck. I asked if he was going to report it and he said no; so I jumped back in and popped it into drive just as the light turned yellow again, and I was on my way. I've always wondered how far he got before it overheated.

 

[LD48750]

LoL...A lot of times the fact checkers on the Internet are the ones that are wrong...!

In many cases it is city or county ordinances that make it illegal to leave a receiver hitch in when vehicles are parked in public parking areas...

So it should be easy for you to give us a lin k to such a law.
Please do.

 

[Oaktree]

One of the nice things about a receiver hitch is it is easy to remove the hitch from the receiver when not in use. The only reasons for leaving it permanently in the receiver are stupidity and laziness. I keep mine under the back seat until I am in front of the trailer. Saves my shins, as well as others, from unnecessary pain.

Well, no argument on the shins. I leave mine in if I figure I'll be using a trailer again within the next couple weeks, otherwise I'll store it in the shop. No sense lugging it around with me.

I saw someone claim that because the bumper is supposed to be the farthest thing back, a hitch is in violation, but it's not actually called out in the law books, and there are countless statements on the net saying that there are no laws in any of the states outlawing leaving it in.

I suppose there are weird laws everywhere, but I've never heard of anyone getting a ticket for having a hitch on their vehicle with no trailer attached. As far as sticking out the back, what about bike carriers? I see plenty of them, and they hang out way further than a hitch.

 

[Eagle1]

I suppose you can't drive or park with the tail gate down? Sticks out past the bumper and the hitch.

Or how about a hitch step?

or a hitch carrier?

 

[Jstpssng]

Extended Loads​

(Texas Transportation Code 621.206)​

1. A vehicle or combination of vehicles may not carry a load that extends more than three feet beyond its front or, except as permitted by other law, more than four feet beyond its rear.
2. Subsection (a) above does not apply to vehicles collecting garbage, rubbish, refuse, or recyclable materials which are equipped with front-end loading attachments and containers provided that the vehicle is actively engaged in the collection of garbage, rubbish, refuse, or recyclable materials.

This is statute for Texas. Extended Loads | Department of Public Safety Most states seem to have similar laws. Reading further you will find that means 4 feet beyond the rear bumper.