HitchSafe Key Vault

Gadgeteer Hands On Review by Judie Hughes

September 01, 2006

This story is funny now, but when it first happened I was really upset...

A couple years ago, I was at the ranch making my rounds - checking water and making sure that the cows' feeders had ample salt and minerals. I had brought my dachshund Trixie along for the day's ride, and at one of my stops I had to get out and fix a trough float that was unseated and overflowing.

I didn't turn the truck's engine off. As I had hundreds of times before, I just hopped out with my tool box and left Trixie in the truck while she watched me through the window.

This truck had automatic locks and as it was a hot day, I had left the windows up with the air conditioner running.

I happened to look up and see her standing with paws on the window ledge; I heard the locks click as she hit the button. We were 15 miles from the nearest town and my mobile phone was in the truck.

But it didn't matter because I kept a spare key in a magnetic box stuck against the inside lip of one of the trucks rear quarter panels. Except when I started feeling around for the box, I discovered it was gone. It must have bounced off as I drove down one of the coleche ranch roads.

What to do?

I had no choice. I picked up a rock and broke what I hoped would be the least expensive window to replace - the passenger side wing window.

It took $80 to replace that window, and I was still finding nuggets of glass inside the truck's cab month's later. But my dog was safe, and I wasn't left standing in the 100º heat with no way to get help.

I would be willing to bet that if I were to conduct an informal poll, it would show that a surprising number of people that have lost their magnetic key box. Of course, this loss would most likely only be discovered when the spare key was needed - defeating the purpose of having had the lockbox in the first place. Whether because it bounces off on a bumpy road, or it is discovered by a would-be auto thief, magnetic key boxes are an unreliable backup plan for lost keys and lockouts.

But until recently, I wasn't aware of any other door unlocking option that didn't involve an OEM numeric keypad on the driver's door or OnStar. As I was flying back from Washington DC, I was flipping through the SkyMall magazine, which is where I noticed one of the most clever gadgets I had seen in a long time: the HitchSafe Key Vault.

Any truck, SUV, Recreational Vehicle or automobile that has a built-in 2" tow hitch receiver will work with the HitchSafe.

Included in the package are the HitchSafe, instructions, warranty paperwork, various EVA foam spacers, and a dustcover.

The HitchSafe measures approximately 5" long x 3" wide on the combination end, and it weighs one pound six ounces. The HitchSafe's body is made of metal with a black finish. It will fit into any standard 2" receiver, and the included EVA foam inserts make the HitchSafe adjustable for pin hole variances. According to the specifications listed on the site, "the maximum hole reach from front of receiver to middle of pin hole is 2-9/16", and the maximum  body depth into receiver is 4-3/8.".

The body of the safe is solid and substantial; once it is inserted into the steel trailer hitch receiver it becomes a impenetrable box

On the front is a four digit combination lock.

Pressing the lever above the combination opens the drawer.

The combination is set by turning the silver flathead screw from the horizontal position...

...to the vertical. Now the desired four digit number can be set. After returning the screw to the horizontal position the HitchSafe will almost be ready to install. It is really important that before the drawer is fitted back into its receiver, the user tests the new combination to make sure that the lever will move. If not, the combination should be set again by moving the screws.

Here is a shot of the drawer removed from its receiver. The drawer measures  3 9/16" long x 1.25" wide x 1.75" tall.

The drawer can hold a set of keys along with a clicking key fob...

...or it can hold up to two IDs or credit cards and some rolled up cash. You should not try to force more than two cards in, as that may damage them.

Installation is a breeze. Here is a shot of the receiving hitch on the front of my truck.

There are up to three included foam inserts that go between the HitchSafe and the receiving hitch so that the hitches' holes will line up with the HitchSafe's holes.

The chrome plated hardened steel bolts slide into the receiver hitches' holes, and they are insulated by an EVA foam gasket.

Inside the HitchSafe, there are metal brackets that slide out on either side to capture the bolts as they are inserted. Here is a bracket in the open position...

...and here it is locked and operational. This is done on both sides of the receiver hitch.

Once the HitchSafe receiver has been installed...

The HitchSafe drawer can be inserted and locked into place.

The included rubber dustcover installs over the combination front, keeping the contents from prying eyes as well as protecting the combination front from dust.

Looks great right?! Installation is so simple that even the most mechanically inept can confidently do it.

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The HitchSafe is the perfect gadget for people with unused or seldom used hitch receivers. Never again will a magnetic key box of mine be lost on a bumpy back country road, and never again will I have to smash a window to get inside my locked vehicle. Well, never again after I order an additional HitchSafe for myself; this one went on my 16 year old daughter's truck. Now I have peace of mind that she will not only be able to get into her truck if she loses her key, she'll also have access to the emergency $20 bill that I've tucked inside. If your or someone you care about has a vehicle with a hitch receiver, I can highly recommend this ultra-secure method of carrying extra keys and cash.

The HitchSafe Key Vault is available directly from their site and from other retailers.