I'm not sure why it's such a big problem around here I'm fairly certain it's tweakers trying to add to their scrap metal weight... We have a few scrap yards around the area I live that pay you for the weight of your metal no matter the metal for a set price, of course you get paid more for separating the metal yourself. The issue isnt to big it only happens like once every few months in a couple certain parking lots in the same neighborhood. So I could just take it off going to that area just a pain in the butt taking it on and off. Saddly I move the trailer every few days so not likely to take it off long term, and yes this hitch is only for the trailer.... However I do have to take it off about once maybe twice a month to tow a different trailer for moving things.