Do you leave yours in or take it out? Would it help for extra protection if you're rear ended?

I used to always take mine out, but lately I've been leaving it in.

 

Leave it, if a Prius rear ends you that Yoda is done right through the radiator and your driving away scratch free.

 

I left mine in once several years ago, and I have the scar on my shin to prove it.

 

Some states it's illegal because of the damage to the other vehicle in case of a rear ender.

 

You're always better off to take it out. I just leave mine in so I don't have to take time to put it in when I need it. It depends on how regularly you pull a trailer. If you get hit from behind, the tongue may do more damage to your frame.

 

Pick your poison.

I often leave it in in the '77, but for the '07 I got a SS Bully Step to place there, it'll help with people parking behind me, etc. Besides, it goes well with the step bars on the sides. It's ends curve inwards under the bumpeer so no "shin killers" present. I did drill another set of holes that let me move it further in to hitch though.

I don't think a hitch draw bar offers much protection from a rear ender, nor do I believe it's illegal to leave in place any where unless it blocks view of the tag. With my '77, I did use the sound of it bumping against a dumpster as a signal to stop backing.

 

pay close attention to the radiator
this was the guy who hit me this past Wed.

 

Nice. How'd your truck turn out?

 

yeah it's illegal in some states, i did leave my drop hitch in until someone stole it. next one i get i'll definitely put a lock pin on it.

 

I know that feeling... I nailed mine once walking down the side walk after a night out and didn't notice the receiver sticking out of the truck that had backed into it's spot...... OUCH..........

Sometimes I leave mine in during the summer as I use it quite a bit.
but when it's not in I have a D ring that I put in there.

And the D ring did save my bumper damage off roading when I backed into some rocks. That where just at the bumper height. Just had to respray the ring.

 

I take mine out, it rattles. Plus, I like my hitch plug.

 

always leave mine in

 

I hate the morons who leaves theirs in and they back up into a parking spot and tear up the front bumper of the vehicle they just backed into. Then they'll move to another spot after hitting the vehicle and act like nothing happened. I always take mine out when not in use so I won't hit my shin on it.

 

I left mine in all summer. I lock it in my tool box during the school year because people will steal them.

 

It's illegal in PA. i've had to put a few trucks on the frame machine to pull out a seized in hitch from it being in there to long,this being the rust capitol of the world ya know.