Idiots that drive with hitch balls attached…

[JHZR2]

At Menards today. Couldn’t get my flat cart of pavers past this.

View attachment 343154

In their defense, if the hitch ball wasn’t there, would it have changed much?!?

Sure, lousy. Impeding.

I can’t make out depth, but I suspect they backed until the tire hit a curb.

Folks are lazy. They can hang over empty space not walkways. But they’re free to do that I guess.

What they aren’t is to damage others stuff over a 30s “convenience”…

 

[Terry Hennessy]

… 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?

That does look easily repairable= cheaper than replacements? Call a few shops and ask if you can send a PIC that they can estimate from? Recommend no less than x3 quotes.

 

[GON]

Leaving his tow ball installed cost this truck owner a retail cost of likely in the range of $2 to $3 thousand dollars.

Without the tow ball installed, the truck could have backed in farther, thus preventing the tail gate to open, so no stolen taillights.

 

[JGmazda]

For me, it's pretty simple. A tow/hitch is a tool. When I'm not using my tools, I put them back where they belong. That way, I know where they are and they aren't going to cause any damage. I'd no-more leave my hitch attached, than my circular saw flying around, unsecured in the bed of my truck.

 

[I<3oil]

Leaving his tow ball installed cost this truck owner a retail cost of likely in the range of $2 to $3 thousand dollars.

Without the tow ball installed, the truck could have backed in farther, thus preventing the tail gate to open, so no stolen taillights.

View attachment 348901

Why does it look like his hitch is severely bent downward??

 

[JGmazda]

At Menards today. Couldn’t get my flat cart of pavers past this.

View attachment 343154

And I wonder when that Ball hitch was actually used??? Hmmmm.....

 

[GON]

Why does it look like his hitch is severely bent downward??

My guess is the hitch is a 2.5", and the receiver is a 3", and he is using a sleeve to make up the spread. The right thing to do is use a 3" hitch.

3" hitches are considerably more expensive than 2.5", and people buy a sleeve rather than the 3" hitch.

Or worse- no sleeve installed at all.

Good catch.

 

[PMT133]

Leaving his tow ball installed cost this truck owner a retail cost of likely in the range of $2 to $3 thousand dollars.

Without the tow ball installed, the truck could have backed in farther, thus preventing the tail gate to open, so no stolen taillights.

View attachment 348901

On principle, I'd have taken the tailgate too. And usually the local smash and grabs get those lights out even without opening the tailgate. Local ford dealer was hit like that a year or two ago. Oddly enough this was like the 5th time in my life something like that happened there and I'm starting to think it was an inside job each time.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

My guess is the hitch is a 2.5", and the receiver is a 3", and he is using a sleeve to make up the spread. The right thing to do is use a 3" hitch.

3" hitches are considerably more expensive than 2.5", and people buy a sleeve rather than the 3" hitch.

Or worse- no sleeve installed at all.

Good catch.

Or he already backed into multiple walls or other lower at hitch height places. Something will give eventually.

 

[GON]

On principle, I'd have taken the tailgate too. And usually the local smash and grabs get those lights out even without opening the tailgate. Local ford dealer was hit like that a year or two ago. Oddly enough this was like the 5th time in my life something like that happened there and I'm starting to think it was an inside job each time.

On 2017 to 2022 super duty’s, I don’t know a method to remove the tail lights with lowering of the tailgate. The four bolts required to remove the two taillights in 2017-2022 super dutys are covered by the tailgate and have no access when the tailgate is closed.

 

[PMT133]

On 2017 to 2022 super duty’s, I don’t know a method to remove the tail lights with lowering of the tailgate. The four bolts required to remove the two taillights in 2017-2022 super dutys are covered by the tailgate and have no access when the tailgate is closed.

Big ass prybar. The local meth heads don't mind some damage as they still get some money for them even damaged. Just like stolen DPFs, cats and wheels. I've seen some crazy reports through the local PDs over the years...

 

[andrew_j]

….

 

[nomas]

 

[Donald]

View attachment 349074

Neither of those trucks are mine. But I would not be rude enough to take up half the curb. That could prevent a wheelchair or stroller from going by forcing them into the parking area where it's more dangerous.

 

[HemiBenny]

When you can get a drivers license with minimum requirements, you end up with drivers that are oblivious to anything but their wants and needs. (Everyone else be ****ed.)

 

[4wd]

On 2017 to 2022 super duty’s, I don’t know a method to remove the tail lights with lowering of the tailgate. The four bolts required to remove the two taillights in 2017-2022 super dutys are covered by the tailgate and have no access when the tailgate is closed.

No idea, GON …
but let me know when you come out of the closet on red tow hooks

 

[SwampSurvivor]

My guess is the hitch is a 2.5", and the receiver is a 3", and he is using a sleeve to make up the spread. The right thing to do is use a 3" hitch.

3" hitches are considerably more expensive than 2.5", and people buy a sleeve rather than the 3" hitch.

Or worse- no sleeve installed at all.

Good catch.

I had a coworker buy a new 2019 SuperDuty with the bigger receiver. He had it a year or two and was complaining about how much it rattled when towing. I went out and saw that he had a 2'' hitch in the 3" receiver.

 

[4wd]

I had a coworker buy a new 2019 SuperDuty with the bigger receiver. He had it a year or two and was complaining about how much it rattled when towing. I went out and saw that he had a 2'' hitch in the 3" receiver.

 

[GON]

No idea, GON …
but let me know when you come out of the closet on red tow hooks

Did a Texas State Trooper really pull you over and give you a warning ticket for a misdemeanor violation under Texas Transportation Code 547.613, for operating a motor vehicle with objects that blocked your clear view of the road? And the objects were plastic ducks???

What’s that about…….

 

[4wd]

Did a Texas State Trooper really pull you over and give you a warning ticket for a misdemeanor violation under Texas Transportation Code 547.613, for operating a motor vehicle with objects that blocked your clear view of the road? And the objects were plastic ducks???

What’s that about…….

Nope, Ducks Unlimited member