Whats on your hitch?

[CTapia]

Going to be removing the plastic cover from the back of the cruiser and put a receiver hitch or something as a quick protection from a fender bender. Thinking of something like this (from Slee's site )

Anyone have anything similar? I don't really tow anything.

 

[stonepa]

That will work, as will a multi ball hitch.

 

[SWUtah]

I did that once on my 80's series. Kept forgetting it was there. Damn my shins were always bruised. Did a little research and found out in the long run a hitch ball will not protect your vehicle. If someone backs up and hits it just right your frame can get bent. Think of it as a lever, with a long enough lever you can lift anything, it is a force multiplier. If you want to protect your rig get a big ass steel bumper

 

[codyaustin5]

I had one of those on my wife's 4Runner and after countless bruises to the shins it has been removed. Personal preference I like the cover plate on the LC. The 4runners hitch is exposed.

 

[CTapia]

I did that once on my 80's series. Kept forgetting it was there. Damn my shins were always bruised. Did a little research and found out in the long run a hitch ball will not protect your vehicle. If someone backs up and hits it just right your frame can get bent. Think of it as a lever, with a long enough lever you can lift anything, it is a force multiplier. If you want to protect your rig get a big ass steel bumper

Good point, the longer it sticks out the worse It would make it.
Trying to do some light mods and distinguish it from the socca moms.. . Not ready for full mods just yet

 

[CTapia]

I had one of those on my wife's 4Runner and after countless bruises to the shins it has been removed. Personal preference I like the cover plate on the LC. The 4runners hitch is exposed.

I guess I would not mind it, but it seems a little oversize. Sorts sticks out of place.

 

[stonepa]

I agree about a high speed impact but these things will protect your bumper from low speed impacts like people who don't know how to park.

I think the shackle looks great and spot on for a 200. I've used mine with a recover strap many times this year pulling people out of ditches with my LX570.

 

[CoffeeGeek]

I personally feel it is inconsiderate of pedestrians when leaving receivers attached to vehicles for the sole purpose of inflicting damage to others vehicles due to parking errors. It is easy to walk right into the protrusions from bumpers in a tight parking garage. Mostly see it on the red neck trucks around here.

 

[stonepa]

I personally feel it is inconsiderate of pedestrians when leaving receivers attached to vehicles for the sole purpose of inflicting damage to others vehicles due to parking errors. It is easy to walk right into the protrusions from bumpers in a tight parking garage. Mostly see it on the red neck trucks around here.

Why would someone need to walk 12" from my rear bumper in a parking garage? And it is not to specifically inflict damage on someone else car, especially given it only works when they hit me with their car. However, it does let them know where my bumper is before they hit it. I'm sick of marked up and split bumpers because other people haven't learned how to park. Do they ever leave their number to let me know who damaged my car and who will compensate me? No. So I protect myself this way.

 

[CoffeeGeek]

My shins protest.

 

[stonepa]

Stay away from my bumper

 

[tas306]

I love my shin wrecker!

 

[hoser]

My buddy sports a ball mount for the same reason (and no intention to tow). When I go over his house, I park extra close so that my front bumper lines up above his tow hitch and a few inches from his tailgate.

 

[Desert Nomad]

I've got a factory pintle hitch, replaced it with a pintle + ball hitch. And I've got a tire carrier with a nice beefy bar

All i need to do is mock up the same setup on the other side for a jerry can holder and the rears going to be fully protected.

 

[MScruiser]

I'm gonna have to agree with Stonepa on this one. As someone who saw his life flash before his eyes because I was in so much pain when I nailed my shin on a hitch, I will still continue to have a massive ball hitch on my 200 -- too many jerks in the world that would be more than happy to back into my truck and not leave a note. My wife's car has been hit twice in the past year (while parked). I am not going to allow my 200 to suffer the same fate. Coffeegeek, just keep a close eye out for the hitch and you won't get nailed.

 

[dukmon]

There is always either a bike rack or a trailer hitch ball in my receiver 100% of the time.

 

[TheViking]

Tri ball receiver and some shin flesh....