I felt horrible

[justfloatn]

So the wife sends me out to pick up our Christmas Cards she ordered last night. I am coming out of the store, walking towards my truck, when I see a crowd around the back looking at my truck. I think great someone backed into my truck. As I get closer I see they are paying more attention to an old lady than my truck. I walk up and ask, what’s going on. “Is this your truck” another lady asks. “Yes” I answer. She responds with,
“Well it’s not your fault but this woman tripped over your hitch and hit her face on your bumper, breaking her glasses, on the way down.”:(
I felt like SHIOT. She was about 70 years old. I took that dam hitch out and threw it in the cab right there. I offered to help cover the glasses, but she said “No”.
I have busted my shin a few times on it. But I nerver thought that could happen and I will never leave that dam thing in again.

[RitcheyRch]

Wow, well you did do the right thing with offering to cover the cost of the glasses.

[Racey]

You're f'n lucky, that sucks it was an old lady, if it was someone younger you'd probably be getting sued with the way society is today.

[adjones419]

You're f'n lucky, that sucks it was an old lady, if it was someone younger you'd probably be getting sued with the way society is today.
Isn't that the truth :mad:

[SummerBreeze]

You might get a vist from her son :D

[Mrs. Bear Down]

Poor little lady!!
We have our hitch on at all times too... NOT by choice though... my hubby lost the key to the hitch lock...
Sucks cause we have some pretty cool hitch covers we like!!
Anyone know how to get them off???
:(

[SummerBreeze]

Poor little lady!!
Anyone know how to get them off???
:(
Rub on it hard:D

[YeLLowBoaT]

Poor little lady!!
We have our hitch on at all times too... NOT by choice though... my hubby lost the key to the hitch lock...
Sucks cause we have some pretty cool hitch covers we like!!
Anyone know how to get them off???
:(
metal cutting blade on a skill saw( about $3) will take about 10 seconds... grinder works great too.

[OutCole'd]

Rub on it hard:D
LMAO!!:D

[Jbb]

Poor little lady!!
Anyone know how to get them off???
:(
Talk about your high fastball.....:D

[Sweet Addiction]

You're f'n lucky, that sucks it was an old lady, if it was someone younger you'd probably be getting sued with the way society is today.
that's what I was thinking. I have heard it done before.

[Jetaholic]

Anyone know how to get them off???
:(
A die grinder and about 2-3 minutes. Worked for me.

[HM]

A die grinder and about 2-3 minutes. Worked for me.
I took one off with a 5lb sledge with two whacks.

[LAFD]

i have mine in all the time. has saved my trucks back end a few times from people rolling forward at lights. in your case its just a freak accident and it was cool of you to offer to pay. hopfully she is ok..

[jh4rt]

Dood, she could have just as easily tripped over a curb or a rock or something else. It's humble and nice for you to offer to pay for her glasses, but certainly not your responsiblity. What if it was holding your wheelchair carrier, would that have been ok?
I think you are a nice guy. There should be more caring people like you in the world, but do we really have to live in fear of a lawsuit our whole lives?
--j

[Jbb]

Dood, she could have just as easily tripped over a curb or a rock or something else. It's humble and nice for you to offer to pay for her glasses, but certainly not your responsiblity. What if it was holding your wheelchair carrier, would that have been ok?
I think you are a nice guy. There should be more caring people like you in the world, but do we really have to live in fear of a lawsuit our whole lives?
--j
Hmmmm...not sure on that one...I think a case could be made......I have heard of it happening.....Perhaps our presiding Judge could render an opinion...:)
I bet in court he would be assigned responsibility for her injuries.......and I bet his Ins company would not want to see it go to court.

[RitcheyRch]

I leave mine in all the time as well. Think there was a thread awhile back that it might be against the law.
i have mine in all the time. has saved my trucks back end a few times from people rolling forward at lights. in your case its just a freak accident and it was cool of you to offer to pay. hopfully she is ok..

[grads2112]

Obviously the glasses weren't worth a damn in the first place if she couldn't see the hitch. Tell her to get out of the way before you back over her.

[Mandelon]

Obviously the glasses weren't worth a damn in the first place if she couldn't see the hitch. Tell her to get out of the way before you back over her.
Sheesh. Ain't you Mr Wonderful... :D

[delemorte]

this is why one has an umbrella policy... preventing frivilous liability suits.
That was cool of you but i would not have offered her anything beyond a hand up. people need to be more carefull. glad she was ok though.

[jh4rt]

Hmmmm...not sure on that one...I think a case could be made......I have heard of it happening.....Perhaps our presiding Judge could render an opinion...:)
I bet in court he would be assigned responsibility for her injuries.......and I bet his Ins company would not want to see it go to court.
"...sayin' it's your job son, sure don't make it right!..."

[Hardly Satisfied]

Wow, That's say to hear

[Big Warlock]

I leave mine in all the time as well. Think there was a thread awhile back that it might be against the law.
I leave mine on all the time as well. And I think your right, it is against the law.

[grads2112]

More importantly, did she scratch your bumper with her face?

[Jbb]

I leave mine on all the time as well. And I think your right, it is against the law.
Hmmmm......:idea: That just might make you....responsible?.....;)

[BarryMac]

I think it's against the law to leave it in, so you would probably be responsible. I leave mine in.
Bob.........the rebel... :D

[455Rocket]

I've already saved plenty by leaving it on... some jackass rear-ended me in a van and the hitch caught his front rail. All I needed was a new bumper, as opposed to tailgate, bed etc... Funny though, I was laying down some rubber to disconnect his POS from the ball :D
That, and I don't know how many times I've watched people at work smack the back of my truck trying to parallel park... I've got no worries!

[HM]

I leave mine on all the time as well. And I think your right, it is against the law.
Not only do I leave mine in all the time, I flip it upside down and it blocks 1/3 of my license plate and is impossible for any red light cameras or radar cameras to get a picture of it (And I don't have a front plate.) Someone wants to give me a ticket, they need to do it in person. :D It is only a fix-it ticket, but I think if I get into an accident where the hitch cause additional damage, I could be liable.
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=45070&stc=1&d=1197492942

[HM]

Not only do I leave mine in all the time, I flip it upside down and it blocks 1/3 of my license plate and is impossible for any red light cameras or radar cameras to get a picture of it (And I don't have a front plate.) Someone wants to give me a ticket, they need to do it in person. :D It is only a fix-it ticket, but I think if I get into an accident where the hitch cause additional damage, I could be liable.
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=45070&stc=1&d=1197492942
Why do you need to block your plate? If you weren't breaking the law, you would have nothing to worry about. Why don't you try slowing down and stopping for red lights you fuggin' looser!!!! Some people's kids...I tell ya!!! :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:
:D

[Big Warlock]

Dual personalities????

[topless]

Why do you need to block your plate? If you weren't breaking the law, you would have nothing to worry about. Why don't you try slowing down and stopping for red lights you fuggin' looser!!!! Some people's kids...I tell ya!!! :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:
:D
Now would be a good time to stop sniffing glue.:jawdrop:

[HM]

Dual personalities????
I was just beating others to the punch. :D

[justfloatn]

It is against the law to leave your hitch in when not towing in CA as of Jan 07. Insurance lobbyists got it passed due to additional repair costs in minor collisions.
As for GRADS...FOCK DUDE I spit water on my desk you heartless bastard:D LMAO:D

[Mr. Crusader 83]

In Ca. you can get a ticket for leaving your trailer hitch in. Trust me. CHP gave me a piece of paper sayn so. :mad:

[tntperformance]

In Ca. you can get a ticket for leaving your trailer hitch in. Trust me. CHP gave me a piece of paper sayn so. :mad:
California sucks !!! Or was that RD sux, I forget.:D

[RitcheyRch]

The midget arguing with himself. :D
Why do you need to block your plate? If you weren't breaking the law, you would have nothing to worry about. Why don't you try slowing down and stopping for red lights you fuggin' looser!!!! Some people's kids...I tell ya!!! :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:
:D
Not only do I leave mine in all the time, I flip it upside down and it blocks 1/3 of my license plate and is impossible for any red light cameras or radar cameras to get a picture of it (And I don't have a front plate.) Someone wants to give me a ticket, they need to do it in person. :D It is only a fix-it ticket, but I think if I get into an accident where the hitch cause additional damage, I could be liable.
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=45070&stc=1&d=1197492942

[jh4rt]

It is against the law to leave your hitch in when not towing in CA as of Jan 07. Insurance lobbyists got it passed due to additional repair costs in minor collisions.
As for GRADS...FOCK DUDE I spit water on my desk you heartless bastard:D LMAO:D
What about my bike rack? Is that illegal too?
FOCK AL GORE !!!! Pretty soon it will be illegal to use anything but Charmin !!!
(NOTE: Al Gore is used in this context to figuratively represent large government, socialism, environmentalism and a number of other beaureaucratic institutions who base their philosophies (or lack thereof) on the general principal that individuals shouldn't be responsible for themselves nor their actions, but rather be protected from skuffing their *sses with john wayne toilet paper by a sanctioning body supported by $$ stolen from me by said body!)

[brianthomas]

i have mine in all the time. has saved my trucks back end a few times from people rolling forward at lights. in your case its just a freak accident and it was cool of you to offer to pay. hopfully she is ok..
Not a freak accident if he knew it was in there.
I found out the hard way that if you leave it in and get hit from behind, you and your insurance company get to pay the bill. Excessive damage and faulty equipment. Normally the guy that hits you from behind would be at fault.
Just do the right thing and take it out. I was in the body business and saw more than one pickup with totally screwed frames from getting hit from behind with the ball mount in the receiver. The bolts on the hitch are supposed to shear but often don't. You should see what the frame looks like. Little separations and kinks all the way up both sides. Lets all say together, "energy absorbing bodies."

[grads2112]

Screw that.... leave it in, go park it at a Senior Citizen home, grab some beer and a lawn chair then sit back and let the entertainment begin.

[justfloatn]

Sounds like fun; we could always take your new tri-hull for bait.
That jewl will certanly bring out the old timers.:D

[QuickJet]

I leave mine on as well for bumper protection in case of an accident. And yes I've smacked my shin on it a few times as well.
I might be rethinking things though after reading a few responses.

[grads2112]

I just went outside and removed mine. Never realized it was illegal. I'd hate to be out driving around all liquered up and get pulled over for something stupid like that or worse yet have the cops search the car and find my loaded gun and smoke under the seat.

[Moneypitt]

I just went outside and removed mine. Never realized it was illegal. I'd hate to be out driving around all liquered up and get pulled over for something stupid like that or worse yet have the cops search the car and find my loaded gun and smoke under the seat.
Any vehicle code violation is "probable cause" for a traffic stop. It can really go down hill from there. The idea of covering your rear plate with the ball is really looking for trouble, and I don't think that is only a fix it ticket.. If you have lost your key you can open the lock with a pen knife, real simple locks on most of them. Also, try anyone else's key, alot of them are the same....MP

[phebus]

In Ca. you can get a ticket for leaving your trailer hitch in. Trust me. CHP gave me a piece of paper sayn so. :mad:
In AZ, we leave them in and use them for machine gun mounts. Both legal. :D

[2manymustangs]

Sweet! I'm puttin my house up for sale and moving to AZ... Machine guns and John McCain, yippy!!! :D

[beerjet]

I have an idea . Why dont people stay the fuk away from my hitch and we wont have any issues ! :mad:

[HM]

The idea of covering your rear plate with the ball is really looking for trouble, and I don't think that is only a fix it ticket..
All my LEO relatives and friends think it is funny. And it is only a fix it ticket. Could be two fix it tickets(hitch and obstructing the plate). Unlike many of you that are worried about being pulled over because it can "go down hill" from there...the only thing I get busted for is an occasional speeding ticket...which, BTW, many times I just get a warning for the speeding and get a fix-it ticket instead. I'll take that any day. On another car, I had a reflective cover over the rear plate, no front plate, and tinted side mirrors and radared at 85 MPH in a 50 MPH zone by the CHP. I made the guy laugh, he warned me on the speed and gave me 3 fix-it tickets. I think the front plate one had a $10 fine. I'll take "looking for trouble" any day. :D If it is a slow day, I might get hassled but it hasn't happened in 24 years. The hitch is a lot less conspicuous than the reflective cover I used to run....which was a fix-it ticket. And someone has to be having a bad day to hassle someone over something like this....or you are someone that looks like if they pull you over it can "go down hill". :D

[Schiada76]

I just went outside and removed mine. Never realized it was illegal. I'd hate to be out driving around all liquered up and get pulled over for something stupid like that or worse yet have the cops search the car and find my loaded gun and smoke under the seat.
:D :D :D :D

[squirt'nmyload]

I just went outside and removed mine. Never realized it was illegal. I'd hate to be out driving around all liquered up and get pulled over for something stupid like that or worse yet have the cops search the car and find my loaded gun and smoke under the seat.
it won't really matter for me to take the hitch out. i like to throw my beer cans and cig butts out the window when i'm done with them and point my gun at people driving slow in the fast lane :D

[RiverDave]

So the wife sends me out to pick up our Christmas Cards she ordered last night. I am coming out of the store, walking towards my truck, when I see a crowd around the back looking at my truck. I think great someone backed into my truck. As I get closer I see they are paying more attention to an old lady than my truck. I walk up and ask, what’s going on. “Is this your truck� another lady asks. “Yes� I answer. She responds with,
“Well it’s not your fault but this woman tripped over your hitch and hit her face on your bumper, breaking her glasses, on the way down.�:(
I felt like SHIOT. She was about 70 years old. I took that dam hitch out and threw it in the cab right there. I offered to help cover the glasses, but she said “No�.
I have busted my shin a few times on it. But I nerver thought that could happen and I will never leave that dam thing in again.
That sucks... I always leave mine in becuase jackass drivers hit it before the bumper of my truck. I'd feel awful is some ole lady did a face plant because of it though.

[Debbolas]

We have one on each vehicle. I always bump my leg on it when I'm loading/unloading groceries.....:D