Trailer Hitch Removal
 

Hi. I have an suv with a bolt on trailer hitch. I would like to remove it since we have moved here and no longer need it. I am unable to crawl under it and remove it myself. Does anyone have recommendations on a place that can remove it for me? Thanks in advance!

Wildwood tire, on 44, close to 301.

I might be interested, but the removal process could be anywhere between really easy and extremely difficult. How long has the hitch been on the vehicle and has it been exposed to multiple northern winters of road salt and the salt brine material they spray on the roads? I foresee a job that could take nothing more than crawling under the vehicle with the appropriate size socket wrench, or possibly the need for a blow touch and a breaker bar wrench, if not more?

You are quite correct and is the main reason I did not offer to do the work myself (I have rebuild 8 cars from the ground up) but at my age this type of work is becoming very difficult.

How about just pulling out the ball and ball mount to protect you shins and leaving the hitch in case you ever need it again?

In some places it’s illegal to drive with the bar and ball in the trailer hitch when not towing. They tend to cause significantly more damage in certain accidents, which drives up insurance premiums for everyone.

IMO I’d just leave it not hurting anything especially if wiring it’s spliced in? As mentioned just unpin and remove ball.

Quote

Which states in the US make it illegal to drive with a tow hitch ball installed when you are not pulling a trailer?
Unlike other states, driving with a trailer hitch in California is against the law, just like running a stop sign or driving while using a cell phone is illegal. Contact an accident lawyer for more information. This is a primary.Mar 8, 2022

Now who would have guessed California? :popcorn:

I have driven in Mexico and Canada, but luckily for me I have never needed to drive outside the US into Kalifornia, but if for some reason I ever find myself lost and missed the warning signs that I am leaving the jurisdiction of the common sense US, I will hang a "uey".

Fruitland Park Trailers... click here.

From etrailer.com:

"As of the time of this article's publication (9/10/2024), there is no law in place on a state or federal level that prohibits you from leaving a hitch receiver or ball mount on the back of your vehicle, even when it is not in use."

Entire article here: Just a moment....

My question would be why remove it? It causes no harm, if needed in the future you have it and why have the expense of removing it?

Any place that installs hitches should be able to uninstall one.

I say leave it, many people shopping for an SUV will appreciate the hitch already being on the car, when you go to sell.

Your dealership
 

Next time you go to your dealership for an oil change, ask them when you schedule it if they can remove it for you and what the cost would be.