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Old 07-23-2017, 10:10 PM   #1
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HITCH PINS Safety and Security

Hanging at Toyota to further discuss brake controller install, a salesman came by (of COURSE ) We moved on quickly from sales pitching (just bought my new Highlander in June) to him kindly answering a few general questions I had re towing. What stood out to me, was his recommendation I have plenty of hitch pins - "...you'd be surprised how often they get pulled, or catch on something just wrong" ...and I see on The-Big-Store-of-the-Ether that there are options for locking hitch pin lock sets.

Curious to hear from all you with more experience than my zero.

THANKS! (Picking up my trailer Aug4)
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Old 07-23-2017, 10:21 PM   #2
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I use these that are keyed alike and lock both the receiver and trailer coupler when we are traveling https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

There are lots of other models and makes available too.
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Old 07-23-2017, 11:10 PM   #3
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It adds a certain level of comfort, knowing no one can just walk away with your hitch ball mount when not towing, and that some prankster can't set you up for disaster somewhere down the road by removing the hitch pin clip when you're not watching. Personally, I like the Reese barrel style. It is easy to use and gives a positive response to being locked so you know when it's securely in place.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Reese-Class...SABEgI_KvD_BwE
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Old 07-24-2017, 01:50 AM   #4
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Never heard of or had one get accidentally pulled. Guess if you worry about thieves it would make you rest better.

I have heard of kids in campgrounds opening the black tank valve with the cover still on, then closing it. Great fun when at the dump station. Don't think you can get a lock for that.
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Old 07-24-2017, 07:20 AM   #5
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I use these that are keyed alike and lock both the receiver and trailer coupler when we are traveling https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

There are lots of other models and makes available too.
A friend of mine gave me a hitch pin like that. I managed to get it in, and locked, in such a way that I could not get the key back into the lock to unlock it. I had to take it to a local trailer company and get them to cut it off. So you just have to be careful how you install them
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Old 07-24-2017, 07:25 AM   #6
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Some of the locking pins for the hitch/receiver are not long enough so check this before buying.

Graham
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Old 07-24-2017, 07:53 AM   #7
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I use these that are keyed alike and lock both the receiver and trailer coupler when we are traveling https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Are these strong enough to use while towing?
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Old 07-24-2017, 08:40 AM   #8
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Yes they are all designed to tow...very convenient having the pair keyed alike. I use one on my bike rack.
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Old 07-24-2017, 09:04 AM   #9
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A friend of mine gave me a hitch pin like that. I managed to get it in, and locked, in such a way that I could not get the key back into the lock to unlock it. I had to take it to a local trailer company and get them to cut it off. So you just have to be careful how you install them
We use to use a locking hitch pin . We took a trip down South one winter ( Wisconsin to Florida ) . When returning home to Wisconsin I wanted to remove the hitch from my truck but unfortunately the locking hitch pin would not unlock. No amount of penetrating oil would free up the lock . We ended up cutting the hitch pin off with a grinder , a real PITA.
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Old 07-24-2017, 09:10 AM   #10
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We use to use a locking hitch pin . We took a trip down South one winter ( Wisconsin to Florida ) . When returning home to Wisconsin I wanted to remove the hitch from my truck but unfortunately the locking hitch pin would not unlock. No amount of penetrating oil would free up the lock . We ended up cutting the hitch pin off with a grinder , a real PITA.
I ended up paying the local shop $10 to cut if off with a torch. After that I just went back to my regular non-locking pin.
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Old 07-24-2017, 09:17 AM   #11
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Never heard of or had one get accidentally pulled. Guess if you worry about thieves it would make you rest better.

They do not have to steal them. After to many insertions and removals the clips open up and can fall out. Then the pins can work their way out and then you are relying on the chains to hold the trailer. When you can easily slip it on it's time to change it.

It's not the best video but this shows why.
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Old 07-24-2017, 09:30 AM   #12
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I ended up paying the local shop $10 to cut if off with a torch. After that I just went back to my regular non-locking pin.
A piece of 1" diameter pipe about 3' long will pop off any of these locks, I lost my keys and with the pipe, off in 2 minutes.
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Old 07-24-2017, 09:40 AM   #13
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We had the spring clip that holds the hitch pin in place fall out ONE time . Luckly for us the hitch pin stayed in place.
I now tyrap the spring clip in place so that in order to remove the clip you have to cut the tyrap. Even pulling on the spring clip with a pliers it won't come out unless I cut the tyrap.
Probably a rather anal approach to the problem but it works for me .
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Old 07-24-2017, 09:43 AM   #14
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Why not push the spring clip all the way through, that is the way I always thought it works....
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Old 07-24-2017, 09:44 AM   #15
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Thanks for ALL your input!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ian and Sue View Post
Yes they are all designed to tow...very convenient having the pair keyed alike. I use one on my bike rack.
hadn't thought about the bike rack - Good idea!
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Old 07-24-2017, 09:48 AM   #16
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Originally Posted by GregandTeresa View Post
I ended up paying the local shop $10 to cut if off with a torch. After that I just went back to my regular non-locking pin.
Am wondering if one/some more dependably functional than others?
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Old 07-24-2017, 09:55 AM   #17
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... tyrap ...
Clever idea!
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Old 07-24-2017, 09:56 AM   #18
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Hitch pins

Quote:
Originally Posted by P&L View Post
Are these strong enough to use while towing?
I use locking cylinder style lock hitch pins. I bought them from E-trailer. You do have to check your overall receiver thickness to get one long enough. I have never had a coupler unhitch due to a lost pin but did lose an r clip once and caught it missing in my refueling walk around. Last week I had an R clip ruined by road debris. Locks are not keyed alike only because I forgot to ask for that before they shipped. They are stainless steel and made in Michigan, USA. For spares, you can use common pins with clips, cheaper.
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Old 07-24-2017, 09:58 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by steve dunham View Post
We had the spring clip that holds the hitch pin in place fall out ONE time . Luckly for us the hitch pin stayed in place.
I now tyrap the spring clip in place so that in order to remove the clip you have to cut the tyrap. Even pulling on the spring clip with a pliers it won't come out unless I cut the tyrap.
Probably a rather anal approach to the problem but it works for me .

Can appreciate not wanting to have to wonder
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Old 07-24-2017, 10:15 AM   #20
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They do not have to steal them. After to many insertions and removals the clips open up and can fall out. Then the pins can work their way out and then you are relying on the chains to hold the trailer. When you can easily slip it on it's time to change it.
So, a picture or video isn't always worth a thousand words.
In the paragraph above, you say everything that this video took 5:29 to say ( actually, I only got half way through, with the sound muted ).
Had an 'R' pin snap once. Bought a couple spares, but haven't needed them since that single occurrence.
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