In case you're wondering what the damage of a hitch ball does to a bumper at <5 MPH

[ShadowsPapa]

Before you purchase anything, check with your State laws regarding hitches/balls on vehicles when not in use.

In some States that is against the law and the other person CAN be responsible for damages caused.

Rare. It's come up before and I've dug into specific laws........... the worst I found was it wasn't supposed to protrude more than xx inches when not in use.

My quick Google search comes up with it being legal, as long as the license plate is not obstructed, except in California.

I've searched this in the past as it comes up now and then - I targeted specific states, even, thinking some will be more strict than others. Nothing other than how far one protrudes when not in use or license plate obstruction, etc.

Sponsored

 

[Pwntiac]

Let’s be real, it’s your own dam fault if you hit someone else’s hitch, extra 8” is negligible

(If they reverse into you then okay yeah)

 

[JeepJunky]

If you’re coming south towards DE anytime soon i have both a rubi and sport plastic bumper you’re welcome to for free. They both have minor scratches on them but nothing like that ball tap

Alternatively, if you are near SC, I have Mojave Stock, and a Rugged Ridge full width. You can have the plastic, the RR, will cost a a little,

 

[aceisback]

Let’s be real, it’s your own dam fault if you hit someone else’s hitch, extra 8” is negligible

(If they reverse into you then okay yeah)

Backing into my ball ain’t even 8 inches, but I still like it.?

 

[IamPro2A]

Rare. It's come up before and I've dug into specific laws........... the worst I found was it wasn't supposed to protrude more than xx inches when not in use.



I've searched this in the past as it comes up now and then - I targeted specific states, even, thinking some will be more strict than others. Nothing other than how far one protrudes when not in use or license plate obstruction, etc.

Same experience here. Have not found a state or Canadian province where it's illegal to keep the ball in, as long as no other laws are violated, like obstructing the plate. Just another "fact" that everyone "just knows" is true; except it isn't.

 

[IamPro2A]

And since the OP appears to be in NY, here's a recent article specific to New York
https://wyrk.com/trailer-hitch-law-new-york/

 

[IamPro2A]

Though yet's be real. It's not hard to believe NY would pass such a law. I mean, while researching the non-existent trailer hitch law, I found out NY really DOES have a law against taking selfies with tigers.
https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2015-01-09/your-right-to-take-a-tiger-selfie

 

[Gordo]

Sleep deprivation + too much on the mind =

Was behind someone at Stop sign, was checking for cars and saw street completely empty, started to roll and hit a Volvo with a hitch ball on the back. Was going less than 5 MPH and the impact was so insignificant my dash cam didnt even record it (granted it was on low sensitivity detection).

Pro tip: Don't roll into hitch balls.

Shopping for new bumper now

Yep bumper doesn’t take much. Had my truck 3 weeks looking for a touch less car wash. Found one not touch less when the door closes down on your bumper. Cost was just under $900 to replace with a factory replacement.

I really want to replace it with a steel bumper just worried it will rust from stone chips.

 

[SargeDiesel]

Before you purchase anything, check with your State laws regarding hitches/balls on vehicles when not in use.

In some States that is against the law and the other person CAN be responsible for damages caused.

There is another tread on the damage that a hitch will do... same exact point was brought up and after many pages of debate , it was found very few places have anything on the books concerning hitches. Most if not all were small municipalities and not state wide.... but agreed, better safe than sorry.

 

[SargeDiesel]

I had a moron who leaves his hitch in the receiver rip the bumper of my wife's car. then the moron doubled down and denied it
Don't be lazy, take your damn hitch out.

Most on this forum will leave them in just for that reason... not being lazy but rather prepared. I belive we call them "PRUIS KILLERS"

 

[DaveL]

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...ou-dont-notice-at-first-or-for-a-while.57768/

Wonderful post. Use back up camera. Zoom in to hitch...!!

 

[Dougstdig]

Best thing against tail gaters. They see that hitch they back off like a b

There’s a fella on this forum that has one better. He bolted a pipe wrench to the right of the hitch on top of the bumper. You can’t tell it’s bolted and looks like it’s just sitting there. I’m looking for the correct wrench and I’ll be adding that to mine as well…

 

[Blade1668]

Most on this forum will leave them in just for that reason... not being lazy but rather prepared. I belive we call them "PRUIS KILLERS"

Anti-tailgating device, kinda like bolting a big pipe wrench on bumper... ? Doesn’t someone here do that?
I leave my ball hitch, pintle hook or pintle loop on, but I do have a few trailers and boats in my driveway that I use.

 

[IamPro2A]

Anti-tailgating device, kinda like bolting a big pipe wrench on bumper... ? Doesn’t someone here do that?
I leave my ball hitch, pintle hook or pintle loop on, but I do have a few trailers and boats in my driveway that I use.

Or buy one of these!
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/74-98-ebay-hitch-skid.55049/

 

[cafecito]

This is exactly why I wish hitch balls should be removed when not in use. Drivers expect your rear bumper to be the "end" of your vehicle unless they clearly see that you're towing or hauling a long load with a red flag. Big vehicles with hitch balls in parking ramps are nuisances to other drivers, for no other reason than that the owner of the vehicle was just too lazy to take it out.

Sponsored