Idiots that drive with hitch balls attached…

[JHZR2]

… and then back up into other parked cars in the shopping center parking lot.

Don’t mind how filthy my bumper is, I’ve been on a good number of long trips recently.

But some unaware idiot put their hitch ball through my bumper cover. Guessing I’m going to have to replace.

Do I dare try to find a good used one? Certainly don’t want aftermarket parts.

What’s my best bet?

 

[SC Maintenance]

Sorry about your trouble. Wasn't the hitch, was the driver.

Try this.

 

[JHZR2]

Sorry about your trouble. Wasn't the hitch, was the driver.

Try this.

View attachment 339680

No thanks

 

[doitmyself]

Frustration understood. 2 weeks ago I hit a shopping cart at 60 mph that flew out of idiots pickup truck.

Your title implies that people that drive with hitch balls installed = idiots. Idiots will be idiots, hitch ball or not. But not vice versa. Intelligent people can drive with hitch balls attached without issues. And, we get the wicked pleasure of occasionally inflicting shin pain to those not paying attention.

Seriously, idiots that damage other's possessions without any morals suck. I was taught very early in life to be responsible and taught my kids the same. Sorry for your frustration.

Edit: Fair enough regarding reply. Just trying some humor. I leave my workplace one in during weeks I am hooking up equipment often.

 

[JHZR2]

Frustration understood. 2 weeks ago I hit a shopping cart at 60 mph that flew out of idiots pickup truck.

Your title implies that people that drive with hitch balls installed = idiots. Idiots will be idiots, hitch ball or not. But not vice versa. Intelligent people can drive with hitch balls attached without issues. And, we get the wicked pleasure of occasionally inflicting shin pain to those not paying attention.

Seriously, idiots that damage other's possessions without any morals suck. I was taught very early in life to be responsible and taught my kids the same. Sorry for your frustration.

My statement was the title and first line. Connected by the “…”

That said there’s no real reason to leave it in.

 

[AZjeff]

Talk with @GON, he seems to be able to find correct color body panels for his restoration projects as needed. Might have some tips.

 

[D60]

If you buy new aftermarket, be sure to shop with a place that specifics they ship not rolled up or folded.

Drop draw bars left in only increase the chances of frame damage if rear-ended. You're not being tough -- you're just increasing the odds of insurance totaling the truck due to frame damage.

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

… and then back up into other parked cars in the shopping center parking lot.

View attachment 339679
Don’t mind how filthy my bumper is, I’ve been on a good number of long trips recently.

But some unaware idiot put their hitch ball through my bumper cover. Guessing I’m going to have to replace.

Do I dare try to find a good used one? Certainly don’t want aftermarket parts.

What’s my best bet?

Depends on make & model. OEM from a dealer may be the best deal. That was the case on my S2000

 

[Lubener]

You can take the ball off but the hitch is still going to be there.

 

[Donald]

I find if you leave the ball mount attached to the vehicle long enough it's rusts itself in place. Never to come off.

I hit a guy once in stop & go traffic who had a ball mount hanging out. It damaged the bumper a little of my beater. I pulled over and the guy I hit took off.

 

[Trav]

… and then back up into other parked cars in the shopping center parking lot.

View attachment 339679
Don’t mind how filthy my bumper is, I’ve been on a good number of long trips recently.

But some unaware idiot put their hitch ball through my bumper cover. Guessing I’m going to have to replace.

Do I dare try to find a good used one? Certainly don’t want aftermarket parts.

What’s my best bet?

What year, make and model? Insurance?

 

[SC Maintenance]

Did you reach out to the mall's security people. They might have video. I have heard of them sharing it, hit in run in a public shopping place is bad for business.

 

[demarpaint]

I'll be kind and say a lot of people suck! Oh and I'm not a fan of spiked lug nuts.

 

[bullwinkle]

Pretty sure leaving one in the hitch is illegal... Good luck getting it enforced, though! Hope you can find a cover.

 

[GON]

Pretty sure leaving one in the hitch is illegal... Good luck getting it enforced, though! Hope you can find a cover.

Driving with an unattached hitch is legal/ not legal is a state statute issue. In the vast majority of states, no statute is present to directly cite the practice.

An example, in Pennsylvania it is illegal to drive with a hitch ball and no trailer attached.

Where it can be illegal is if the ball blocks the license plate or becomes a hazard.

In today's enforcement environment- very unlikely a citation will be issued for a ball on the back of a vehicle not towing a trailer.

OP- as @Trav posted, please post the year/make/model/ color code.

 

[thewulff]

so if I drive around with a hitch ball in my truck and back into parking spots I could cause half the members of this site to meltdown in one day LOL

 

[JHZR2]

What year, make and model? Insurance?

2014 Honda Accord Hybrid, black.

Insurance is an option though not sure it will be worth it if I can find a good used one (?)

 

[Nukeman7]

This is a situation where a good dashcam may have been beneficial. I'm not necessarily an EV fan, but TESLA definitely got it right with onboard video surveillance cameras as a standard feature.

 

[64bawagon]

I leave mine in my truck most of the time because I never know when I might need it and it doesnt rattle around when its in the hitch. It is referred to as an "inattentive driver early detection device". Some years back a young guy figured out what that meant while he was playing on his phone.

 

[KrisZ]

I leave mine on just in case of a slow speed rear end collision, which is the majority or the rear end collisions. It provides a nice first defense layer.