Removable tow hitch now permanent

So the little thing that is removable from the tow hitch, the part with the ball attached to it? Mine kinda rusted in place and I can't remove it. I connected a tow strap to it and to a tree, it did not pull out. Anywho, I was picking up a friend at the local U-Haul place after getting a hitch installed on his car. I figured these guys might have run into this issue before, they work with hitches all day long. So I asked if he had ever seen this before.

The guy says "yep, sure have. That ain't coming out, ever."

Well, at least I know I can stop trying!

Mine is rusted into place, too. I did remove it a few years ago with a sledge hammer. I doubt it'll ever come out now, though.

That's why you leave them out and carry them in the trunk or storage bin.

I usually put some grease on mine when it gets installed. Helps slow down the rust, and makes it easier to remove. I've had to use a hammer to remove one in the past.

They make intelligent hitches these days. The hitch sensed that you chose not to remove the drawbar, so it chose to make it non-removable.

Isn't technology wonderful?

Frankly, I'm shocked. No, seriously. You leave those things in? I think I cracked my shin on one ONCE walking around the back of my truck, and I'll never leave one in there again. Fringe benefit, you can keep it out of the weather and avoid the rusting problem.

Given that you've already screwed up, it is possible that generous applications of penetrating oil and vibration, perhaps via an air hammer, may loosen it over a period of many days.

Duke wrote: That's why you leave them out and carry them in the trunk or storage bin.

That's what the U-Haul guy said, while rolling his eyes and looking at me like I was an idiot. Which...

FYI, I know in Illinois you can get a ticket for that.

I'd start spraying WD40 or PBblaster in once a day for a week and then taking a sledge to it. It'll eventually come out.

Fluid Film is your ally for rusted in place drawbars.

I have successfully retrieved many a friend's drawbars with that stuff. After you get it out, clean the fluid film residue off with brake cleaner.

BTDT on an Isuzu Rodeo that I got used. PB Blaster and hammering for a week got me nowhere.

If it is a 2" receiver, it is almost surely hollow. You can cut off the end of the receiver and then use a reciprocating saw (with a new, sharp blade) to make 2-4 cuts on the inside of the square tubing that is still wedged in the hitch. One cut on each straight side is probably best. Use a chisel to collapse the tubing inward and then pull out the pieces. If you are careful, it won't damage the hitch on the vehicle.

I tow too much to take mine out all the time, hell I have a trailer on it now, and in all these years I've never had one seize.....you guys must live up North.

Yep, big ticket for doing that around here. Of course, I do it anyways because I'd lose it if I didnt!

The shin issue is a big deal though. My dad did that once, the worst swelling/bruise you've ever seen, it was disgusting. He actually went to the doctor after two weeks when it didnt go away :o

1988RedT2 wrote: Frankly, I'm shocked. No, seriously. You leave those things in? I think I cracked my shin on one ONCE walking around the back of my truck, and I'll never leave one in there again. Fringe benefit, you can keep it out of the weather and avoid the rusting problem.

Same here, plus my truck barely fits in the garage as it is, and with a hitch on, the door won't close behind it, so it forces me to remove it. So, in it's place I added a little bling:

I leave them in because I tow something on a regular basis, but I've never had one get so rusted it wouldn't come out.

I don't bang my shins because I remember it's there.

I'm with Toyman01. I leave it in the 'burban almost all the time. If I took it out and had it in the back and then was involved in an accident it's a 20 lb chunk of steel flying into the back of my head. Securely mounted where it belongs in the receiver it's a nice deterrent to tailgaters (triple ball hitch on solid 2" insert).

I try not to hit my shins on it though.

Yeah; I live in Illinois as well as you can get ticketed for driving around with your hitch & ball sticking out! It has something to do with the extra damage caused when that vehicle is rear ended or when you back into another car say in a parking lot. Personally I don't see why you would want to keep it in there if your not towing.

it's still removable: you just gotta take out the bolts that hold the receiver to the frame.

Wow, I never heard of being ticketed for this. I leave mine in the suburban 90% of the time, as about 70% of the miles I put on it are with a trailer in tow.

novaderrik wrote: it's still removable: you just gotta take out the bolts that hold the receiver to the frame.

Do this then use the Electrolytic Rust Removal process to get it apart again.

spray with blaster for a couple days, then hit it every direction with sledge. side to side, up and down, in a little, out a little, keep spraying, and it'll eventually come out. then clean the rust out of the receiver and off the ball mount and keep them lubed.

Rusted_Busted_Spit wrote:

novaderrik wrote: it's still removable: you just gotta take out the bolts that hold the receiver to the frame.

Do this then use the Electrolytic Rust Removal process to get it apart again.

or just throw it in the trunk along with whatever tools you need... in a mere 20 minutes and 5 busted knuckles you are ready to tow..