Q: Hi, I have a 2006 Cadillac Escalade and the neighborhood kids keep "misplacing" the premium hitch plugs that I buy. I've "lost" a beautiful billet aluminum hitch plug that had "Escalade" engraved in it and a silly hitch plug that had a flopping fish on it. Do you have one of those hitch locks that will fit my Escalade? - Mike, Johnsonville, RI
A: Mike,
You're in luck. We have plenty of hitch locks that will fit your Cadillac Escalade. But let's back this up a bit for anyone who doesn't know what we're talking about.
First, let's start with the hitch. You have a hitch installed onto your truck or SUV and this hitch has a hitch receiver tube (the square opening at the back of your hitch.) Into the receiver tube goes a hitch ball mount (the unit with the chrome ball that the trailor attaches to.)
When some people aren't towing or if they don't use their hitch, they will install a "hitch plug" into the hitch receiver tube. This serves two purposes.
1. The hitch plug covers up the ugly hole with something nice and perhaps personal for you. Some people like to install a hitch plug with their favorite sports team on it, or maybe support a branch of the military.
2. The hitch plug keeps the hitch receiver tube clean and clear of debris so it can be used when it's time to use it.
So, now we're talking about hitches, hitch receiver tubes, hitch ball mounts, and hitch plugs. The hitch ball mount and hitch plugs are held in place in the hitch receiver tube with...you guessed it, a hitch pin. What's to stop somebody from removing the hitch pin and taking your hitch ball mount or hitch plug? A hitch lock!
Basically, a hitch lock is a different style of hitch pin that locks into place and can only be removed with the special key that it comes with. This is how you stop people from stealing your hitch plugs.
The standard diameter for a hitch lock (and hitch pin) is 5/8 of an inch and most any hitch will have the correct size hole to use this product, especially your Cadillac Escalade. Though some larger applications use a 1/2-inch hole, so please measure.
Oh, and some hitch locks actually have an adaptor to fit both applications.
They are easy to use, inexpensive, come in many colors and finishes, and is the perfect product to solve your problem.
Mike
P.S. We actually have the silly hitch plug that is a flopping fish. It's called a Hitch Critter Flopping Bass, in case you wanted a replacement...