WeatherTech BumpStep (5 Viewers)

[Madtiger]

Link: Bump Step Hitch Step - Trailer Hitch Mounted Bumper Protector | WeatherTech

I was at Toyota dealer for my free 20k oil change and saw this product. I decided to buy it just to see how it fits. Still undecided. But hey if it can absorb a minor rear fender bender, then it is worth it. It is made of resin plastic...all of it. No metal.

What do you all think? (It is made in USA.)

 

[Madtiger]

Normally, I had this...but I figured the BumpStep is more useful/protective in city.

 

[HGB]

My understanding is anything like this that connects into your tow hitch will transfer the energy directly to the frame which could make for a more costly incident than simply replacing bumper covers and foam cores.

 

[Madtiger]

My understanding is anything like this that connects into your tow hitch will transfer the energy directly to the frame which could make for a more costly incident than simply replacing bumper covers and foam cores.

Unfortunately, the HITCH itself sticks out to same as bumper...actually, the hitch slightly protrudes past the plastic bumper. So, a hit on the bumper will hit the hitch (if hit in the middle of bumper of course)...thus, transfer force directly to frame.

 

[bloc]

Plus, it is plastic. That thing will shatter like ice if hit in an accident, any force transmitted to the frame will be minuscule compared to what is seen when towing.

 

[04UZJ100]

I run the Toyota drop hitch and 2” ball at all times. I feel that this extremely robust piece of steel will begin the necessary plastic deformation to the car that hits me from behind. It will essentially poke a hole through the majority of front bumpers out there causing their car structure to yield before mine.

I have been rear ended a number of times in my 4Runner with the hitch and it has killed a radiator and 2 bumpers leaving my truck unscathed.

 

[kcjaz]

I run the Toyota drop hitch and 2” ball at all times. I feel that this extremely robust piece of steel will begin the necessary plastic deformation to the car hits me from behind. It will essentially poke a hole through the majority of front bumpers out there causing their car structure to yield before mine.

I have been rear ended a number of times in my 4Runner with the hitch and it has killed a radiator and 2 bumpers leaving my truck unscathed.

I had a FJ60 a long time ago and usually kept the drop hitch in the receiver. I got rear ended once at a stop light and yep, the drop hitch was like the point of a spear. Unfortunately for them, their bumper went under mine and the “spear” went through their radiator. After the impact I just pulled forward with minor scratches to the chrome. They had to be towed to a shop with pretty major front end damage. I would say the hitch actually helped me at their expense as it initiated their “crumple”.

 

[04UZJ100]

I had a FJ60 a long time ago and usually kept the drop hitch in the receiver. I got rear ended once at a stop light and yep, the drop hitch was like the point of a spear. Unfortunately for them, their bumper went under mine and the “spear” went through their radiator. After the impact I just pulled forward with minor scratches to the chrome. They had to be towed to a shop with pretty major front end damage. I would say the hitch actually helped me at their expense as it initiated their “crumple”.

Exactly.

 

[Madtiger]

Here are some Youtube on the BumpStep:

 

[rusty87]

At least it will hurt slightly less than a ball hitch when you whack your shin on it.

 

[Madtiger]

At least it will hurt slightly less than a ball hitch when you whack your shin on it.

At least it has rounded corners.

 

[Sandroad]

Looks good. I think I’ll get one because it seems to be just the right amount lower than the bumper for me to use as a step accessing my rear-load Thule. The bumper is a few inches high for a step for me. My only issue with Weathertech is their stuff seems to be about double what would be good value in cost. $60 for a chunk of molded resin that doesn’t even include the hitch pin. Whew!

 

[Madtiger]

Looks good. I think I’ll get one because it seems to be just the right amount lower than the bumper for me to use as a step accessing my rear-load Thule. The bumper is a few inches high for a step for me. My only issue with Weathertech is their stuff seems to be about double what would be good value in cost. $60 for a chunk of molded resin that doesn’t even include the hitch pin. Whew!

Well, it’s made in USA. That must be worth at least $30!

 

[KLF]

My only issue with Weathertech is their stuff seems to be about double what would be good value in cost. $60 for a chunk of molded resin that doesn’t even include the hitch pin. Whew!

Someone has to pay for all of Dave MacNeil's Ferraris. And racing teams. And stadiums. And race tracks.

 

[04UZJ100]

Someone has to pay for all of Dave MacNeil's Ferraris. And racing teams. And stadiums. And race tracks.

And 12 page center fold Car & Driver ads.

Seriously, WT is the most overhyped garbage on the market. I have not been impressed with a single floor mat they make.

 

[KLF]

And 12 page center fold Car & Driver ads.

Seriously, WT is the most overhyped garbage on the market. I have not been impressed with a single floor mat they make.

I have them for both of my cars, and I like them. They don't cover the dead pedal well enough in the Cruiser, but I fixed that.

 

[bloc]

I have them for both of my cars, and I like them. They don't cover the dead pedal well enough in the Cruiser, but I fixed that.

Same, including the dead pedal mod. I think I’ve bought WT mats for six different vehicles and a couple more as gifts for people and haven’t regretted a single one.

 

[Moby]

I had a FJ60 a long time ago and usually kept the drop hitch in the receiver. I got rear ended once at a stop light and yep, the drop hitch was like the point of a spear. Unfortunately for them, their bumper went under mine and the “spear” went through their radiator. After the impact I just pulled forward with minor scratches to the chrome. They had to be towed to a shop with pretty major front end damage. I would say the hitch actually helped me at their expense as it initiated their “crumple”.

A bit off topic but I got t boned in my FJ-62 in my front axle. From inspecting the car that hit me I'm pretty sure that it pushed the engine block back to the firewall. I had damage but drove home no problem. Their car was destroyed. Unfortunately when I went to rebuild my knuckles and install 30 spline Longfields a few years later I found that the front axle housing was tweaked, something the auto body shop didn't find (granted, I'm not sure how they would have given that wheel alignment was fine). Fortunately my local Toyota yard had an FJ-62 housing (different than an FJ-60) so I just swapped everything over (and the Longfields went in the replacement housing no problem).

Point being, if you get hit somewhere that impacts the frame, get it checked out by a good frame shop. I prefer a frame/alignment shop over an auto body shop for this. Unfortunately these are harder and harder to come by. Both frame shops in my area, including the one that made replacement insert "C"s for the rear of the frame (before these were readily available), are now gone.

 

[Markuson]

Link: Bump Step Hitch Step - Trailer Hitch Mounted Bumper Protector | WeatherTech

I was at Toyota dealer for my free 20k oil change and saw this product. I decided to buy it just to see how it fits. Still undecided. But hey if it can absorb a minor rear fender bender, then it is worth it. It is made of resin plastic...all of it. No metal.

What do you all think? (It is made in USA.)

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I don’t think WeatherTech would ever endorse their product as any kind of impact protection.

The emphasis in its name is really “STEP”...not “bump.” Might be really helpful for SUVs that don’t have a step surface on the bumper already...so folks can reach the rear roof...but we do have a step...so not sure this product adds much to an LC.

 

[Madtiger]

I don’t think WeatherTech would ever endorse their product as any kind of impact protection.

The emphasis in its name is really “STEP”...not “bump.” Might be really helpful for SUVs that don’t have a step surface on the bumper already...so folks can reach the rear roof...but we do have a step...so not sure this product adds much to an LC.

Actually from videos from WT, they emphasized the bump part more than the step feature!

These videos are from WT

WeatherTech® BumpStep™ Product Demo

Buy BumpStep: http://www.realtruck.com/weathertech-...Bumpers are one of the most common parts of vehicles that get damaged. Protecting your bumper from bump...

youtu.be