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10-06-2013, 05:18 AM
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#1
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Bridgewater
Posts: 1,196
M.O.C. #13166
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Hitch Covers
Do you guys cover your hitches either between trips or during winter? If you do, is there anything to look for when buying one (other than fit)? We have one trip left this season (next weekend in Vermont), and then the winterizing process begins. First time with the Montana, so I'll probably be firing more questions your way.
__________________
2010 Montana 3455SA, Mor/Ryde pin, wet bolts, TST 507, Progressive HW50C, GY G614
2019 Silverado D/A 3500HD LTZ DRW CC
B&W Companion
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10-06-2013, 06:20 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Murrieta
Posts: 5,816
M.O.C. #9257
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If I stored it outdoors in the elements then I would cover it. However, it would take a lot to find it convenient to store this critical piece of equipment outside, therefore I store my hitch in my garage on a dolly I created for it, and I don't find a need for a cover.
When installed and on the road, I'm not out long enough to mess with a cover. I suppose this would matter a lot more if I took trips for a long duration with the hitch installed, and not towing, but I fear it would be stolen.
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10-06-2013, 06:21 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Chico
Posts: 641
M.O.C. #6933
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Bought a hitch cover when we bought the hitch 5 years ago. Have used it maybe 3 times. Guess we are just too lazy to pit it on.
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10-06-2013, 06:48 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake Gaston
Posts: 8,773
M.O.C. #12156
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We have a bedcover, protects everything in the back of the truck to include the hitch.
__________________
Mike and Lorraine
2002 3655 FL, 2005 3650RK
2010 3665RE, 2015 3910FB
F350 crew cab dually 6.7
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10-06-2013, 07:49 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Roswell
Posts: 627
M.O.C. #12028
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B&W Hitch here, takes 10 seconds to take the hitch part (the head) and put it in the toolbox. No cover necessary.
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10-06-2013, 09:02 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Benson
Posts: 3,122
M.O.C. #1658
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Our hitch has been in the elements for 10 years and it's doing fine. It's not shiny and new looking, I painted it once and keep the moving parts lubricated. Now that we are not fulltiming any more I will probably remove it and store it in the garage
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10-06-2013, 09:22 AM
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#7
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Nashville
Posts: 118
M.O.C. #13210
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Use the truck bed cover to protect it when not in use as it is also lockable.
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10-06-2013, 10:31 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: silver creek
Posts: 1,507
M.O.C. #7770
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Just because of all the moving parts, I would either cover or remove it for the winter. especially if you are in snow country.If you leave it on and covered I would generously lube all the moving parts so old man winter isn't to harsh on it. Thats my opinion...
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10-06-2013, 11:25 AM
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#9
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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Always left it in the truck and lubed it liberally. Where we lived before we went full timing if it was covered but not sealed moisture would actually condense on the inside of the cover, like a tent, and then drip on the hitch and take far longer to evaporate. As Charlie said ours isn't the prettiest, but none the worse for ware.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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10-06-2013, 01:52 PM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Rock Island
Posts: 1,074
M.O.C. #10457
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When parked for the winter in FL and at other longer term sites we keep the hitch hanging from the pen box on the Monty. These hitches are made to take the weather, and just before putting back in truck bed do the lubrication needed. This gives us a flat bed in the truck, and we use locks through the arm along with a small piece of chain between the two hitch parts for security. Oh, one other benefit is hitch hanging down under pen box within most people's view helps folks not bump their head/arms etc.
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10-07-2013, 01:54 AM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Winfield
Posts: 7,327
M.O.C. #6846
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Ours has been in the weather for over six years now without a problem. Have never painted it, lubed it once during this period, and the only real wear that can be detected is on the top plate. With that being said, we are going to upgrade the hitch next Spring, and with looking at a cost of $2500 for a new air hitch, I may well cover it just to protect the air bags during the winter months.
Bingo
__________________
Bingo and Cathy - Our adventures begin in the hills of WV. We are blessed by our 2014 3850FL Big Sky (previous 2011 3750FL and 2007 3400RL) that we pull with a 2007 Chevy Silverado Classic DRW CC dually.
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10-08-2013, 01:55 AM
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#12
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: purvis
Posts: 168
M.O.C. #13723
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We have a Retrax Pro on the Ram. This keeps the hitch out of the elements.
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10-08-2013, 09:37 AM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 908
M.O.C. #7915
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by 1retired06
We have a bedcover, protects everything in the back of the truck to include the hitch.
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Ditto, also hides what's there from the curious.
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10-08-2013, 05:11 PM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Redding
Posts: 1,421
M.O.C. #12339
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Never thought about covering it. Powder coated so its rust resistant, and besides I would have to cover it, and uncover it way too often! It's all but impossible to steal anything from my truck, and mine is under 24/7 video tied to a storage device.. That camera is tied to our trucks "Hot Spot"! One of our "rear view safety" camera's are mounted on "Generator box" and tied into our Drop-Cam. I get notified (on my cell phone) anytime movement occures in or around my truck. Actually I can even talk to potential theives via my cell phone, through each of my mounted camera's. I love technology! Lol
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10-08-2013, 07:33 PM
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#15
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Bridgewater
Posts: 1,196
M.O.C. #13166
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Thanks for the responses. Quite a number of opinions/solutions on this.
__________________
2010 Montana 3455SA, Mor/Ryde pin, wet bolts, TST 507, Progressive HW50C, GY G614
2019 Silverado D/A 3500HD LTZ DRW CC
B&W Companion
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10-08-2013, 11:48 PM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Fayetteville
Posts: 4,200
M.O.C. #11401
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Never cover ours. No problems. Paint it about once a year with Rustoleum.
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