I just bought a standard Ford hitch cover for the factory installed class IV hitch which came with my truck.

I installed it, then one of my friend who drive a durango (yeah, I know) said that he had a hitch cover on the last truck he owned and all it did was trap water and salt during the winter and caused the hitch to rust out.

I want to know if anyone here has had similar experiences?

 

Ive had my hitch cover on for a while and have no rust to date. Ill tell you now, if it did...Im taking it off!

For now, its all good. The hitch seems coated pretty well...unless your friend got his all beat up from towing (gashes in the hitch itself), I dont see the rust beinga problem for a new truck with a hitch cover.

I might be wrong...

 

Any time anything is in the receiver, beit a ball mount, hitch cover, etc., it will vibrate through the paint and get some surface rust.

If you are worried about some surface rust on the inside of your receiver, take the hitch off, because if it is ever used at all for anything, it's going to rust a little.

 

I'll agree with inbred on just about anything left in there too long causing rust. I keep a plastic cap on mine all winter, but periodically remove it and spray some WD-40 in ther for protection. By the way, even if you never use your hitch, you'll eventually get rust in there.

 

My buddy has a rubber receiver cover that he likes... sounds like hte best option to me.

 

Thats what Im running...plain old black rubber hitch cover. Ive got another Ford Rubber Hitch Cover...but for some reason, it doesnt sit tight in the hitch. I guess it made for a smaller opening.

Anyone interested, let me know.

I have pics if youd like.

 

Periodically touching it up with Rust-Oleum works for me.
no cover