Rear Bumper protection, Step receiver step hitch

[MO GMC]

Hi Everyone,

 

I was thinking of buying a receiver step for my truck to help prevent anyone tapping the rear bumper. Anyone have any recommendations and pictures? i was thinking the weathertech.

[TxTruckMan]

Hi Everyone,

 

I was thinking of buying a receiver step for my truck to help prevent anyone tapping the rear bumper. Anyone have any recommendations and pictures? i was thinking the weathertech.

Bad idea in my opinion. If somebody rear ends you, you'll have much more frame damage than if they hit your bumper first. Your bumper is designed with internal boxes and mounts to be impacted and reduce damage to vehicles. The hitch is directly connected to your frame and will cause more damage.

[Andy Seibel]

If i were going to do that, i would choose something like this:

 

http://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Step/Pilot-Automotive/CR-600.html?feed=npn&gclid=CjwKEAjwwcjGBRDj-P7TwcinyBkSJADymblT7MtbboXSj9ZS2bfomLpI9AtDiIJxwTheXPP0MGiABBoCrInw_wcB

 

 

But i also think that the only thing you gain by keeping something in your hitch for the sole purpose of possible rear-ending is to inflict more damage on the offending vehicle (which i'm okay with) But txtruckman is right, if they hit you hard enough, its going to cause damage to your vehicle either way and you are giving them a direct line to your frame rails instead of the bumper which is designed exactly for this.

[BigBlueLB756]

Last October, witnessed a semi roll up into a D**** P/U on the bridge over the Ohio river in Loueyvill. He pushed the D**** forward and it wasn't hurt at all because of the trailer ball he had installed. Now I am a firm believer in having "something" in that 2" receiver for protection. Good in parking lots, too.

 

Check out Weathertech's new XL.

[Andy Seibel]

Oh, i didn't realize the weathertech steps are made with a honeycomb shaft to absorb minor impact. thats not a bad idea.

 

I'm not really a fan of how they look, but it seems like a nice way to avoid minor dings in the bumper. I could have prevented the few dents i had in my old truck from backing into retaining walls at low speed anyway.

 

If you hit this thing too hard it will just break, avoiding any frame damage.

[It's Tim]

Now I am a firm believer in having "something" in that 2" receiver for protection. Good in parking lots, too.

 

Check out Weathertech's new XL.

The first time you or your SO gash a shin on it you'll just toss it right back in the cab. Bumpers are cheap if it bothers about "resale value" you can replace it right before you plan to sell.

[Andy Seibel]

The first time you or your SO gash a shin on it you'll just toss it right back in the cab. Bumpers are cheap if it bothers about "resale value" you can replace it right before you plan to sell.

 

that's why my post #3

[TxTruckMan]

Last October, witnessed a semi roll up into a D**** P/U on the bridge over the Ohio river in Loueyvill. He pushed the D**** forward and it wasn't hurt at all because of the trailer ball he had installed. Now I am a firm believer in having "something" in that 2" receiver for protection. Good in parking lots, too.

 

Check out Weathertech's new XL.

 

How do you know it wasn't damaged? Did you look under the truck as you drove by? I've seen pics after similar accidents where the bumper was untouched but the trailer hitch was bent up under the frame and caused frame damage without bumper damage.

 

Oh, i didn't realize the weathertech steps are made with a honeycomb shaft to absorb minor impact. thats not a bad idea.

 

I'm not really a fan of how they look, but it seems like a nice way to avoid minor dings in the bumper. I could have prevented the few dents i had in my old truck from backing into retaining walls at low speed anyway.

 

If you hit this thing too hard it will just break, avoiding any frame damage.

 

That's not a bad solution at all. I would trust that over a hitch or similarly stiff step.

[Sean Neilan]

The hitch is pretty much level with the edge of bumper. If they're hitting your bumper they're hitting your hitch.

[TxTruckMan]

The hitch is pretty much level with the edge of bumper. If they're hitting your bumper they're hitting your hitch.

AND bumper - if you hit perfectly square.

[MO GMC]

My worries are people in the parking lot thinking they have room and bump the truck. Im looking at saving my bumper from impacts less than 5mph.

 

The weathertech XL so far looks like the best option

[BigBlueLB756]

I'm not such a big ole boy that I can still notice the hitch and ball protruding, instead of being blocked by my anatomy. And it's a long way from my shins.

 

But that's just me. I like my rear end protected in the wallyworld lot, too.

 

Free to choose.