Reverse Sensor Problem

[robertfootball]

has anyone else figured how to havte a hitch on your truck without "blocking" the reverse sensors on your truck? I put in a reciever hitch the other day and got a message saying "reverse sensors blocked see owners manual". I would like to be able to keep my hitch on my truck all the time, but it seems like I'll have to only put it on when I plan to town so the reverse sensors will work correctly. looking at it, I don't understand how the sensors are "blocked" in the first place as the hitch seems to be in between them and not directly in front of any of them. anyone else have a similar problem and a way around this other then removing your hitch or turning off the rear sensors?

[foghorn23]

I haven't had the problem with my drawbar in. If I actually am pulling a trailer I do get the message, but that's to be expected. As you say the receiver is between the two sensors. My drawbar is a 2" drop, maybe it's in a sweet spot?

[ZmanZ71]

my 2" and 3.25" drawbars do not block the sensors. However when I wash my truck and they get wet sometimes that will trip them or if they are dirty.

[robertfootball]

wonder why mine seems to be blocking it? i just have a regular 2" drop Reese tow bar that you buy from Auto Zone

[joe04]

wonder why mine seems to be blocking it? i just have a regular 2" drop Reese tow bar that you buy from Auto Zone

 

The ultrasonic sensors operate using a cone type pattern . Try shimming or "redirecting" your 2 closest sensors to point slightly outward away from the hitch area and see if that will do the trick for you....

[MikeNH]

wonder why mine seems to be blocking it? i just have a regular 2" drop Reese tow bar that you buy from Auto Zone

 

The ultrasonic sensors operate using a cone type pattern . Try shimming or "redirecting" your 2 closest sensors to point slightly outward away from the hitch area and see if that will do the trick for you....

 

 

 

This would likely throw them off. There is no reason to leave the hitch in all the time and in some states you can even get a ticket for it. I keep tiedowns, hitches and a bunch of other hauling-related crap in a small rubberaid tote under the back seat, I'd suggest the same for you.

[SouthCo]

I leave the hitch in on my daily driver, 03 tahoe, for those who like to tailgate.

[redvett]

If you take the hitch out of the receiver and someone rear ends you you will gt bumper damage but if the hitch i left in you will get a bent frame. Lots easer to fix a bumper than straighten the frame.

[SouthCo]

Yeah these rear bumpers aren't stopping anything. I'll take my chances. I've seen many rear ends where hitch saved the guy. Are you really suggesting the rear bumpers are more stout than the frame. I dont think so....

[MikeNH]

Yeah these rear bumpers aren't stopping anything. I'll take my chances. I've seen many rear ends where hitch saved the guy. Are you really suggesting the rear bumpers are more stout than the frame. I dont think so....

 

 

No but in a crash the bumper will crumple and absorb energy as its designed to- the hitch will just transfer all that energy to the weakest part of the frame- the rear.

[SouthCo]

Yeah these rear bumpers aren't stopping anything. I'll take my chances. I've seen many rear ends where hitch saved the guy. Are you really suggesting the rear bumpers are more stout than the frame. I dont think so....

 

 

No but in a crash the bumper will crumple and absorb energy as its designed to- the hitch will just transfer all that energy to the weakest part of the frame- the rear.

 

 

 

 

And after the rear bumper, which cant withstand anything, crumples the reciever is still going to take an impact. If the hit is hard enough, your splitting hairs because there is going to be rear damage. If the hit is not as severe the hitch is not going to bend the frame but the rear bumper will still get more damage without the hitch. I'll tell ya what. You do what you want but no way having the hitch in is causing more overall damage.

[redvett]

There have several people on truck sites that had a hitch in there receiver at time of accident and not only did it bend the frame but buckled the box, others had no hitch and just had bumper and tailgate damage since the hitch additional downard force from the rear vehicle.

[97whitez71]

There have several people on truck sites that had a hitch in there receiver at time of accident and not only did it bend the frame but buckled the box, others had no hitch and just had bumper and tailgate damage since the hitch additional downard force from the rear vehicle.

And my father-in-law did not have a drawbar in the hitch and when he got hit from behind, it bent the hitch, frame, tailgate and bumper. It all depends on how hard they get hit.