Ball mount warning

I know many have been through this problem so this is a reminder to those who have and a warning to those who haven't. If you live in the "corrosion belt", don't leave your ball mount in the receiver when not using it. They rust in!! Years ago I fabricated a stainless mount for my 95. Now that it's going to be donated, I wanted to save the ball mount. I had actually tried removing it months ago without success. Penetrating oil, sledge hammer, drilling the pin out (it was rusted in too), tow strap around a tree (all that it did was rip the bark off the tree!) and driving without a pin 3000 miles with the utility trailer without any luck! So, the next step was to remove the receiver so I could get it in a hydraulic press. Sounded simple but that was also problematic!! Four of the bolts won't budge even with penetrating oil for 2 days, the impact and the breaker bar! Compounding the problem is the bolt heads to the boxed frame rail are hidden, and aren't accessible without removing the bumper. Same issue with the bumper - Very stubborn corroded fasteners that won't budge or in very awkward places ! So, the final solution was to get the Portaband (most of the way through) and then the Sawsall out! I thought after the impact, the raining of rust particles and dirt on me was done but the Sawsall got more!!   

Chris,
I'm not familiar with the stuff. I'll do a search and find out what it is. I have heard of using anti seize on the ball mounts but that sure creates a mess. It's always a challenge to keep the anti seize off hands and clothing. I'll never forget (nether will my wife! ) when I had just anti seized the door latches on the Burban and then later that day we went out to a party dressed in some decent cloths. I don't think my wife ever got the stuff out of her blouse!!

74Wind wrote: In some states like Illinois it is illegal to leave the ball mount assembly in the receiver when not towing anyway.

Jeff,
I'm aware of the law. Funny thing was several years ago the Suburban quit on me (one of the 5 times the solenoid driver module went out) blocking traffic since there wasn't a shoulder to pull off the road. The state police came by and wanted to push me to a nearby driveway with their front push bar. They couldn't due to the ball mount being stuck in the receiver. 20 minutes went by waiting for the tow truck and not one word was mentioned about leaving the mount in while not in use. Ether the officers were being nice or they weren't aware of the law which I doubt so I'd say the law isn't enforced.

M3Fan wrote: I've spent hours this fall underneath our Land Cruiser coating the frame and undercarriage with CorrosionX and scaling off any thicker rust with a needle scaler. .

Joel,
There is a word that describes your affliction!!

74Wind wrote: Reason #10000 to move south, no rust.....

...................everything molds instead............

I am not sure I understand the reasoning behind leaving the receiver in, yeah it might provide some protection in a low speed impact, but is it really worth this:

Steve,
They sure can be a pain in the shin. I've done it several times especially the front mount when working on the engine. Not removing them? I feel people including myself are simply lazy.

I normally remove it for the above reasons but with the newer truck it also messes up the backup sensors and you then get error messages. When in Florida though I put up with it and leave it in,I cannot tell you how many times people have hit me

I always remove mine so we don't crack our shins but usually do it when I get home from the river and put everything away.

Last year I got pulled over on the way home from boating because it was still in, just gave me a warning but said next time he would write me up. Illinois is so lame, I can't wait to get the hell out of here.

75 Tique wrote: 81nautique wrote: I can't wait to get the hell out of here. I could be wrong, but I think that is the first time I've heard that. Where are you thinking?

That's part of the reason we've been traveling a lot this year Larry, it will be a few years before we are serious but we have been looking for a landing spot.   

davidg wrote: . The property taxes in McHenry county are outrageous. Almost confiscatory. Not sure what county you're in, but, all the Chicago collar counties are in the same, uh, boat!

Being out of Cook, a BIG financial burden is off my shoulders!!

Living in St. Paul by the railroad tracks. I don't have this issue even with the salt. If I left my hitch in it would be gone in the morning. I always take it out and put it in the log chain milk crate.   

So where are you guys going???

The states get their money somewhere. I'm not sure where it all comes from. Some however manage it better than others!

My monthly tax bill is almost as much as the mortgage.

Gary/Kevin, Lot's of reasons we want to get a move on, taxes being just one of them. Quite honestly the main reason is we're summer people and we're just a little tired of the winter blues. We'll have grand kids coming in a few years so we're trying to plan an exit from the business and things that tie us down so we can enjoy them and our boating friends. I could honestly see us being gypsies in the motorhome for a month or two each year.