I don't remember where I originally picked this up, I think it was a giveaway at some off road show I was at. It pretty much sat forgotten in the bottom of my center console for a few years. I was running some trails with a friend who was camping and had disconnected his trailer and removed his hitch. As you have already guessed the pin was nowhere to be found when we were ready to leave the area. Digging around the vehicles to try and find some type of pin to hold the trailer hitch in I rediscoverd the Factor 55 hitch pin in my console. Pin installed and off we went back to civilization. The pin actually stayed installed in his rig for about 6 months before he remembered it and returned it to me. I figured the pin would show some wear from being in the hitch and having a trailer hooked to it for most of those 6 months. The only signs of wear on the pin are some slight scuff marks from the trailer hitch and receiver exert most of their force against the pin.
The Factor 55 Quick Release Hitch Pin for 2 to 2.5" Hitch Receivers is made of a high strength stainless steel. The quick release part is not really any different than other hitch pins that use a safety pin to hold them in place. I does boast a 50,000+ shear strength and is made in the USA. One side is drilled for the safety pin to be installed and the other side has a machined grove so you can get your fingers around it to remove it from the hitch. While this makes the pin sleak and stylish, you really can not get your fingers around it if you are wearing gloves.
Specifications:
Fits 2 and 2-1/2 inch hitch receivers
303+ High Strength Stainless Steel Construction
3-1/8 inch span
5/8 inch diameter
50,000+ lb Shear Strength
MADE IN USA
Additional
Parts:
Tools
Needed:
None
Parts:
The hitch pin comes in a plastic display bag. Inside the bag is the hitch pin, a safety pin, and a cool sticker that I took a picture of upside down and just noticed that.
Installation:
1. Installation of a trailer hitch pin is fairly simple. Install your trailer hitch, skid plate, soft shackle eye, etc. that you want in your hitch mount. Line up the holes in the receiver and the hitch tongue. Then install the hitch pin through both of them and then install the safety pin on the end of the pin to secure it in place. I usually leave the pin installed since I swap trailer hitches at work a few times a week.
Note: While I have seen people use just the pin to attach a tow strap to the vehicle when recovering another vehicle I do not recommend this type of connection. At best you will end up bending the hitch pin in your mount. Trying to cut a bent hitch pin out of your receiver is a lesson that you don't need to learn. Cutting hardened steel is diffcult in a confined area. You should also not use a tow ball as a recovery point.
