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Old 08-22-2015, 11:23 AM   #1
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Anyone replace a Hitch Pin with a bolt?

I have a class A, use the Roadmaster Spare tire carrier which goes into the receiver on the motor home. Then a toad bar into the receiver on the Spare Tire Carrier. My walk arounds include checking all the various hitch pins to ensure that all the keepers are still in place. My thought is to replace the hitch pins with bolts w/ lock washers so as to make it harder for someone to remove the pins and steal stuff, or just to create mischief. Anyone have any idea which bolts to use? I was thinking 5/8" grade 8 bolts from Tractor Supply with associated grade 8 hardware. Any thoughts? I have used locking pins in the past, but have had a few problems with rusting shut, or not always securing to the end of the pin, etc.
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Old 08-22-2015, 11:35 AM   #2
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Anyone with a wrench could still 'create mischief.' Why not just buy a locking pin? If you lubricate it and remove it once in a while rust shouldn't be an issue.
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Old 08-22-2015, 11:55 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BFlinn181 View Post
Anyone with a wrench could still 'create mischief.' Why not just buy a locking pin? If you lubricate it and remove it once in a while rust shouldn't be an issue.
Yeah, they could, but at least they'd have to have TWO wrenches handy on their person, and that is less likely. I have used the locking pins before, but I have had two over the years that even with graphite in the cylinders and spray wd-40 occasionally, have frozen up. I haven't totally written them off, but just exploring other options. Thanks for your comment!
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Old 08-22-2015, 03:06 PM   #4
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I use a GR8 with nut, long enough to drill and put a padlock through it A quick look, if the lock is there I'm GOOD TO GO!
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Old 08-22-2015, 03:17 PM   #5
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I have been pullin' a toad for almost 20 years and no "mischief". It's your money and your time. Go for it if it makes you feel better.
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Old 08-22-2015, 03:36 PM   #6
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Old 08-22-2015, 03:39 PM   #7
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I use an old Master Lock hitch pin. It's inner workings are brass so rust is not an issue. Although we don't have salt on our roads it's been in survive since 2002.
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Old 08-22-2015, 07:38 PM   #8
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Master lock brand makes several nice locking pins now that are brass, with rubber caps over the key hole to keep out water/grime. Had to buy a new one because the class 4 one is not long enough for my new class 5 hitch. The wife's jeep inherited my 10 year old class 3/4 hitch pin to pull the golf cart!
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Old 08-22-2015, 07:54 PM   #9
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Are you sure they are brass? Brass is a much softer metal than steel and I'd be afraid it would shear.
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Old 08-22-2015, 08:18 PM   #10
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The threaded end that does not bear the pulling stress. The rest of the pin is a single piece, and the cap threads down on this pin by turning the key to screw on the end cap, then pull out key, put on rubber cap over key hole, and it is happy till next time!
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Old 08-22-2015, 11:00 PM   #11
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I keep my hitch on my pick up all year long with a pin lock only change to tow my boat and I leave a pintle hitch on in the winter months i plow with my truck to and I've had the same lock for 3 years now


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Old 08-24-2015, 04:15 PM   #12
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Been using a GR 8 bolt for a very long time. You must use two wrenches to get them off instead of maybe a hammer to "ping" the other "locks" over.
I don't keep a hitch in all the time, but I do keep a Step/Bar in the receiver when the hitch isn't in.
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