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Old 08-20-2013, 04:01 PM   #1
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$250 fine in Ontario - true or false

A gentleman came up to me in CTC parking lot today and informed me that I was in danger of receiving a $250 fine for having my ball attached to my reciever when not towing.....

He claimed the insurance companies are after the police to fine people because the ball could rip a hole on someone's radiator.

I have never heard this. Anyone have any idea?

Thanks.
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Old 08-20-2013, 04:13 PM   #2
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I've heard similar rumors as well. Appears to be related to the view of the plate being blocked as opposed to risk of damage to other vehicles.
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Old 08-20-2013, 04:15 PM   #3
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the way people drive here in florida I leave my ball mount on at all times, it does make it a challenge for people parked behind my F350 Dully 8' bed truck with the 12" drop mount but hey I did not make the parking spaces so small.
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Old 08-20-2013, 04:29 PM   #4
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I think the thing about it being a fine for potentially causing more damage to another vehicle in a rear-end collision is an urban myth, but I'll be interested to see an actual statute quoted by someone.

The fine for obstructing the license plate is fairly standard in the states as far as I know. But, that would be more an issue for cars rather than trucks I'd imagine.
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Old 08-20-2013, 04:45 PM   #5
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If you've ever crushed your shin on one of those things....
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Old 08-20-2013, 04:51 PM   #6
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Per the Highway Traffic Act:

(12) Where a trailer hitch is installed, the trailer hitch, hitch mounting and connecting devices for safety cables and chains shall be inspected and tested and,
(a) no trailer hitch or towing structure, to which a trailer hitch is attached shall be insecurely mounted;
(b) no latch mechanism shall fail to close securely;
(c) no part shall be missing, cracked, broken, excessively bent, seized or excessively worn;
(d) no cast or forged hitch shall show any indication that repairs have been made by means of brazing or welding; and
(e) no connecting devices provided at the rear of a vehicle for the attachment of a safety chain or cable shall be insecurely fastened, missing, cracked, broken or excessively worn.


So, nothing about about a charge for it being left on when not towing. For license plates:

NUMBER PLATES

8. Each number plate, where required, shall be inspected and no number plate shall be missing, damaged, faded, discoloured or have paint removed so as to impair readability.


Same thing, nothing specific about other objects obstructing the view of the plate. Though I generally agree that the plate shouldn't be obstructed, there doesn't appear to actually be anything written against it.
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Old 08-20-2013, 04:58 PM   #7
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The po-po 'round here use the "license plate lamp out" ploy to pull over suspected drug users/dealers.

So, if you're a nefarious lookin feller travelin in Louisiana, make sure those plate lights are workin! /LOL
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Old 08-20-2013, 05:15 PM   #8
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In OH, make sure your plate frame doesn't cover any part of your plate stickers. I've known several who have received tickets on this one.
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Old 08-20-2013, 05:27 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by QuietTimes View Post
He claimed the insurance companies are after the police to fine people because the ball could rip a hole on someone's radiator.
Duh-uh.......if they stay far enough back that can't happen.
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Old 08-20-2013, 05:37 PM   #10
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From what I have found in NY if it blocks the license plate or sticks out far enough to need a flag you can get a ticket. Other than that you can leave it in. The OP is in Canada so the laws might be different.
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Old 08-20-2013, 05:44 PM   #11
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Answer:
No it is not legal anywhere in Canada. It poses a threat to pedestrians, as well as drivers not only on the road, but in parking lots as well. They stick out too far and are too blandly colored to be seen to be left on when not towing.

You can thank the mailmen of Canada for making this illegal-as they seem to bust their knees a lot on them and filed complaints.

As for the $250 fine I do not know if this is correct or not. Plus it is also illegal to leave your tow mirrors on when not towing, (they stick out too far).
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Old 08-20-2013, 07:39 PM   #12
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Policed in Ontario for over 35 years. Never heard of that charge.

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Old 08-20-2013, 07:48 PM   #13
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Bull Crap,my truck tailgate sticks out farther than my hitch when the gate is down! No flags on tailgates or laws for fines! They need to (Get A LIFE)! Youroo!!
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Old 08-20-2013, 07:50 PM   #14
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https://www.sgi.sk.ca/individuals/re...nes/index.html

This is from Saskatchewan rules.Specifically as follows.

When not in use, the trailer hitch shall not extend the bumper of the vehicle more than 225 mm or 9 inches.
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Old 08-20-2013, 08:22 PM   #15
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Too bad they aren't easily removed with a pin or something! I always take mine out for a few reasons. Some people would rather take yours than buy one, I hit my leg on them, and once while following a buddy I found one in the road. Turned out to be his.
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Old 08-20-2013, 08:59 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by QuietTimes View Post
A gentleman came up to me in CTC parking lot today and informed me that I was in danger of receiving a $250 fine for having my ball attached to my reciever when not towing.....

He claimed the insurance companies are after the police to fine people because the ball could rip a hole on someone's radiator.

I have never heard this. Anyone have any idea?

Thanks.
So is this a Canadian thing?
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Old 08-20-2013, 09:01 PM   #17
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I guess its a good thing that I don't live in Canada, I always run with a ball mount in and I have had a couple of people tap it while sitting at stop lights/stop signs.

7-8 years ago I was driving our companys F450 dump truck, I stopped at a red light and got rearended. The guy must have been looking at the college girl who was out for a run and waiting to go across the the street, he must not have hit the brakes at all. He hit me hard enough that the pintle hitch went through his bumper, core support and most of the way through the radiator. Luckily the 450 has a 3/4" plate of steel that the tail lights, hitch and trailer lights are all in, the car was literally probably 8-12" shorter than before he hit me, all I had was a cracked tail light and busted the cover off the trailer light plug.
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Old 08-20-2013, 09:18 PM   #18
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In Illinois its illegal to leave your hitch in if it sticks out more than 4"

$144.00 fine
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Old 08-20-2013, 09:33 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by f1100turbo View Post
In Illinois its illegal to leave your hitch in if it sticks out more than 4"

$144.00 fine

The Peoples Republic of Illinois thanks you for your money.
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Old 08-20-2013, 10:10 PM   #20
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Great question, OP. This thread got me thinking, so I did some research. From what myself and others have found, there's no law against leaving your hitch in while not towing here in Alberta.

Sound similar to towing tandem trailers, some provinces allow it, some don't.
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