Trailer reciever ball question.

[Old Ironmaker]

While getting gas today in Swag Holler (actually Fisherville just east of Dog's Nest) Ontario the lady attendant there warned me that I cold be ticketed because I have my receiver and ball attached to my truck and I wasn't towing anything. Everyone I know and there has to be 5 pickups/SUV's per passenger vehicle out this way and I always see the receiver and ball attached to the truck. She was quite adamant in her opinion that was based on her daughter getting a warning by the local OPP. I can find any legislation concerning this in the Ont. Highway Traffic act for towing. Section 618 I think it was, all and everything else though.

 

Is she mistaken? Just because I can't find it that doesn't mean it isn't so. I have never heard of this law and I have put a few miles driving in the last 48 years. Are we really expected to disconnect and pull the receiver and ball after every tow? I don't think so. I do take it out and clean and or paint it every few years. More often is what is recommended I believe.

 

Thanks all,

 

Johnny D

Edited March 6, 2017 by Old Ironmaker

[G.mech]

http://www.chathamdailynews.ca/2009/09/22/highway-traffic-act-question-answered

[FloatnFly]

you're fine here in Ontario, i think Alberta its illegal though

[Old Ironmaker]

It has been answered by the link to the Chatham newspaper, thanks G. I bet her plate was obstructed.

[Rizzo]

To me it would make sense to take it off, I always do and wouldn't complain if they made it a rule for others. I have banged my shins off exposed hitches more than once. You also see cars with neatly punched holes in their front bumper! These things perhaps might not have happened if a receiver/ball was not in place

[dave524]

Been a while since I've seen that rumour floating around

[davey buoy]

To me it would make sense to take it off, I always do and wouldn't complain if they made it a rule for others. I have banged my shins off exposed hitches more than once. You also see cars with neatly punched holes in their front bumper! These things perhaps might not have happened if a receiver/ball was not in place

Oh my shins lol,comes off soon as a trailer is off.

[dave524]

I'm leaving mine on, 2006 Jeep Liberty with the gas tank at the back, several cases of them blowing up in low speed impact so there was a recall, the FIX, install a trailer hitch

 

 

http://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2016/safety-organization-investigation-jeep-fires.shtml

 

the full size spare on the back door pretty much keeps shins out of harm's way

Edited March 7, 2017 by dave524

[aplumma]

I keep mine in place always it makes people think twice about parking carefully behind me.

 

 

Art

[spincast]

More than one 401 bozo has found my ball-before-my-bumper while texting in "bumper to bumper" traffic.

[buick14]

I always leave mine on. I've been told it was illegal,I just laughed and said whatever . Have hit my shin more than once on mine tho lol

[Old Ironmaker]

My shin has dents in it from hitting it. As soon as my wife hits hers it will come off.

[Freshtrax]

Mine is on Year round for rear end protection.

[Sinker]

Mine is on Year round for rear end protection.

Ditto!

[Mister G]

My shin has dents in it from hitting it. As soon as my wife hits hers it will come off.

How's the bride gonna walk around if you remove her shin . . .

[bare foot wader]

I've whacked my shin more times than i care to admit, and half of them on my own truck sadly lol

 

I take mine off immediately now when I'm done towing, because drop hitches on a lifted truck are high theft magnets in my neck of the woods

 

in my old truck somebody rear ended me in a tim hortons drive thru, and then backed up and took off most of their bumper that was stuck on the ball...then blamed me for the damage because I shouldn't drive around with it unless I'm towing hahaha

[Old Ironmaker]

in my old truck somebody rear ended me in a tim hortons drive thru, and then backed up and took off most of their bumper that was stuck on the ball...then blamed me for the damage because I shouldn't drive around with it unless I'm towing hahaha

A pal got rear ended once on a lot and the hitter fled the scene. The problem for that guy was his bumper also was imbedded in the back of buddies truck, complete with license plate. The cops howled when he showed them at the station. They told the guy someone found his plate on the road and for him to come and pick it up at the station, he did and they arrested him for hit and run, big fine and points.

[Fisherman]

A pal got rear ended once on a lot and the hitter fled the scene. The problem for that guy was his bumper also was imbedded in the back of buddies truck, complete with license plate. The cops howled when he showed them at the station. They told the guy someone found his plate on the road and for him to come and pick it up at the station, he did and they arrested him for hit and run, big fine and points.

Excellent.

[mike rousseau]

I leave mine in... been in since I got my truck 9 years ago

 

If you get that close to my truck and punch a hole in your bumper tough cookies... you deserve it

 

Also to hit your shins your within inches of my truck... again good for you... lol

[Old Ironmaker]

I took mine out once after 3 years to use it on another truck. It was so rusted I had to hammer it out. I cleaned and painted it and now take it out to clean it up every year or so. You don't want that breaking while towing, the coder pin was so rusted I changed it to a stainless pin. The pin that goes through the receiver must have been a good stainless as it was fine. Lucky that coder pin didn't fail as I believe the locking pin will eventually work itself out.

[Garnet]

I leave mine in.

 

One of the local car wash drive thru decided it need to be removed. I left and a apparently lots of others did to. Sign gone no issue.

 

I did buy a pin with a big wire that goes done under the receiver to other side. Couple towns where a problem and not likely not kids pulling your cotter key.

 

This monster is easily watched.

[Mister G]

I leave mine in.

 

One of the local car wash drive thru decided it need to be removed. I left and a apparently lots of others did to. Sign gone no issue.

 

I did buy a pin with a big wire that goes done under the receiver to other side. Couple towns where a problem and not likely not kids pulling your cotter key.

 

This monster is easily watched.

There are locking hitch pins to prevent theft.

[Garnet]

As you read above, sand grit and they don't work. I also cut one off.

[Mister G]

HUH, I have one for the last 9.9 years . . . I do take it out for the winter and clean it up though for the next season.

[Sinker]

Mine stays in because I can't get it out LOL.....