Rear End Collision - Questions

AgTitan06 · 12-20-2006, 12:14 PM

Up until yesterday, I have always kept my ball mount in the receiver even when I'm not towing anything. I always figured if I get rear ended, it would just screw up their car and not mine..Well, yesterday I bought a custom hitch cover that goes in the receiver, so obviously the ball mount is no longer in there.

So, what are your thoughts on damage in a rear-end collision...Is it better to be rear-ended with or without the ball mount in the receiver?

I started thinking that if you are hit hard enough with the ball mount in that it might mess up the frame since the hitch is connected directly to the frame...but if you are rear-ended without the ball mount, then you hopefully will only have bumper and rear sonar damage. I know insurance will cover regardless, but I'm just curious what yall think. My hitch cover is staying in now that I spent $20 on it, but I'm still curious about the differences in damage.

Thx.

**Blackbeauty** · 12-20-2006, 12:20 PM

If you get hit hard enough, it won't matter. Frame damage can be transmitted through the bumper mounts as well as the hitch. If the hit is hard enough, nothing you can do. Besides, if you get whacked hard with a hitch ball in the receiver, the hitch pin would most likely bend or shear before the hitch twists the frame. Just my .02.....

Clint · 12-20-2006, 12:21 PM

With the ball mount in, the hit is taken directly in the frame. I believe your owners manual directs you to remove it when not in use.

Clint

Xcheckme · 12-20-2006, 12:42 PM

I also believe that it is illegal in some states to leave the receiver connected unless you are actually towing something.

Yellomantis · 12-20-2006, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clint

With the ball mount in, the hit is taken directly in the frame. I believe your owners manual directs you to remove it when not in use.

Clint

BINGO!!! This happened to me a few years ago. I got rear ended in Chino CA by the prison warden (another story) and the hitch ball mount took the entire hit, which, in turn, transfered the energy into the frame, then into me. I got messed up pretty bad. The truck was A-OK, but I was not. I ended up with multiple ligament tears in my left shoulder and a partially torn rotator cup.

I leave mine out now.

**HudsonValleyTitan** · 12-20-2006, 01:15 PM

I leave mine in...not the larger one I use for my TT but a smaller one I use for my ATV trailer. Most rear enders are light and are warded off by the hitch. I know...it's happened twice to me! Both times they were little Hondas, both times I has not a scratch while one car lost its' radiator and the other needed a new hood.
If you get hit hard enough, it won't matter so....thinking leaving the hitch in will damage the frame is nuts. Leave it in.

Clint · 12-20-2006, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellomantis

BINGO!!! This happened to me a few years ago. I got rear ended in Chino CA by the prison warden (another story) and the hitch ball mount took the entire hit, which, in turn, transfered the energy into the frame, then into me. I got messed up pretty bad. The truck was A-OK, but I was not. I ended up with multiple ligament tears in my left shoulder and a partially torn rotator cup.

I leave mine out now.

You were "rear ended "

by the prison warden? Can you sit down yet?

Clint

Sorry, just couldn't pass that up.

Yellomantis · 12-20-2006, 03:35 PM

I knew that was coming..... It was the warden for the womens prison.

royr · 12-20-2006, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellomantis

I knew that was coming..... It was the warden for the womens prison.

Yikes - leeping lezzys - Oh Oh - www.feeldoe.com - he never saw it comming until ----

AgTitan06 · 12-20-2006, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by royr

Yikes - leeping lezzys - Oh Oh - www.feeldoe.com - he never saw it comming until ----

Wow, that's pretty...umm..interesting..

Oh, by the way, don't click on that link above if you're at work, or your kids are around.

TXTitan05 · 12-20-2006, 05:47 PM

I work in the collision industry. Without going in to a bunch of detail, the hitch does cause more damage to the frame than without.

**ArmyAviation** · 12-20-2006, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by royr

Yikes - leeping lezzys - Oh Oh - www.feeldoe.com - he never saw it comming until ----

]
I'm kinda woundering about you royr

**HudsonValleyTitan** · 12-20-2006, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXTitan05

I work in the collision industry. Without going in to a bunch of detail, the hitch does cause more damage to the frame than without.

Again, in a hard rear ender, it'll make no difference. You'll have damage anyhow. For the idiot that just wasn't paying attention and smacks you at a light, no, it does no damage other than maybe a little paint on the hitch. What's nice is no dings on the chrome bumper!

royr · 12-20-2006, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ecmeyla

]
I'm kinda woundering about you royr

Yeh - I have seen alot of things I never wanted to at college the last few years. Some of these youngsters are alot more "mature" than I am it seems. Seeing a freshman dude running out of the girls dorm like a scalded dog while being chased by coeds sporting those puppys scarred me for life.