Will Master Lock Hitch Pin Work with B&W Tow & Stow Adjustable Ball Mount

Question:

I am looking to purchase a BandW adjustable hitch, but would like to have lockable pins rather then the stock ones with a clip. Rather than buy two pins and throw one away, and also not have the ability to have all 4 positions keyed alike, would 1480DAT work instead with BandW hitches? I dont see lengths / ratings on this page. If this will work, is it possible to get MasterLock coupler locks / bar locks with the same key and/or rekeyed to match, so I have just one key for all trailer related items?

asked by: Shawn J

Expert Reply:

Because of the large span required to secure the ball mount of the B&W Tow and Stow 3-Ball Mount # BWTS10048B, the Master Lock Trailer Hitch Receiver Lock # 1480DAT will not work to secure the ball mount to the shank. The span of the # 1480DAT hitch pin lock is not long enough to secure the ball mount to the shank.

The long pin in the Rapid Hitch Trailer Hitch Lock and Adjustment Pin Lock Set # AM3492 is the only pin we carry that is long enough to span the 4 inch wide ball mount of the Tow & Stow to be able to lock the ball mount to the adjustable shank.

While a locking hitch pin will prevent the mount from being adjusted if the pin is locked, a locking pin is not necessary to secure the mount to the hitch shank or the ball to the mount while installed on your vehicle. The ball mount can only be removed from the shank while it is not on the vehicle because the mount must slide out of the notch in the back of the adjustment channel. When installed on your vehicle, this channel sits too close to the hitch receiver to allow the mount to come off. The hitch balls also cannot be removed while the mount is installed on the shank.

I've attached a review video of the Tow & Stow for you. When the stow position is illustrated in the video, around the 1:15 mark, you can see that the ball mount will not slide out the end of the adjustable channel.

The Master Lock # 1480DAT is a great option for a hitch lock to secure the ball mount shank to your hitch receiver.