Last week I called Tiregate and asked if I could bring my 2014 4Runner to their factory and have an Adventure Series Universal Hitchgate attached to my car because I was very skeptical about the ability to mount the unit in the towing receiver of the car and not have the Hitchgate wobble. I spoke with Lisa who was very accommodating. She said she understood my concerns and they would be more than happy to test fit a Hitchgate. On July 22 I arrived at the factory in Santa Ana, California. Lisa had lined up Derrick to do the installation. A “factory test unit” in center mount configuration was installed on my car to see if my tailgate would open. I wanted the center mount configuration, however Tiregate’s web site cautions that an offset configuration may be required for tailgates over 53”. The tailgate on my 4Runner is 55” when measured below the tail lights. The center mount configuration worked perfectly, allowing the tail gate to open, however with minimum clearance when the Hitchgate is swung fully open.
Derrick removed the "factory test unit" and installed a new Hitchgate on my car. He is also the person who manufactured the Hitchgate he installed. Can't get any better than that! He showed me the design of the unit and why it would not wobble. He explained the stress tests that were done on the unit to ensure all stresses were mitigated and accounted for in the design. I’ve been in the aircraft and aircraft jet engine manufacturing business for years. I was very impressed with the design of the Hitchgate and its method of mounting in the towing receiver to ensure the mount is tight and wobble free. The quality of Derrick’s workmanship is also outstanding. I took home the Adventure Series, Centered, Universal Hitchgate with the single Jerry Can Mounting option and the License Plate Relocation Kit. I also got the locking pin for the towing receiver, and the chain/lock for the tire to secure it in the Hitchgate. Two of my “technically savvy” neighbors looked at the Hitchgate and were very impressed. I had considered replacing my rear bumper with an aftermarket bumper, however after seeing the Hitchgate I decided against spending twice the money and having to cut my plastic bumper trim to accommodate the aftermarket bumper. With the Hitchgate option I have a stock car that is easily converted for off-road use, and can later be sold/traded as a stock car. I ruled out putting the spare tire on a roof rack because I'm 66 years old and my back is not in the best of shape. The spare tire is easily placed in the Hitchgate when the Hitchgate is swung away from the car. Yes, I still have the factory spare tire installed under the car, however for peace of mind I carry two spares. I could have a 100 mile walk in the Nevada, Utah or Arizona desert should I have two flats, and I have been told people have gotten two flats.
If you want to keep your car stock, I highly recommend the Hitchgate option. I have yet to purchase the Jerry Can so the attached pictures are without the can. The Jerry Can sits behind the crossbar to which the license plate is attached. The pictures on Tiregate's Website of the single Jerry Can option installed on the Adventure Series Hitchgate are not reflective of what I was provided. I think the option I was provided better protects the Jerry Can from damage. When purchasing a Jerry Can ensure the can fits in the mounting bracket. The Jerry Can I liked the best was 5/8" too wide to fit in the mounting bracket. Additionally, Tiregate has hold-down straps for either a metal can or a plastic can. You have to chose which strap you want. Both are not provided.
Derrick removed the "factory test unit" and installed a new Hitchgate on my car. He is also the person who manufactured the Hitchgate he installed. Can't get any better than that! He showed me the design of the unit and why it would not wobble. He explained the stress tests that were done on the unit to ensure all stresses were mitigated and accounted for in the design. I’ve been in the aircraft and aircraft jet engine manufacturing business for years. I was very impressed with the design of the Hitchgate and its method of mounting in the towing receiver to ensure the mount is tight and wobble free. The quality of Derrick’s workmanship is also outstanding. I took home the Adventure Series, Centered, Universal Hitchgate with the single Jerry Can Mounting option and the License Plate Relocation Kit. I also got the locking pin for the towing receiver, and the chain/lock for the tire to secure it in the Hitchgate. Two of my “technically savvy” neighbors looked at the Hitchgate and were very impressed. I had considered replacing my rear bumper with an aftermarket bumper, however after seeing the Hitchgate I decided against spending twice the money and having to cut my plastic bumper trim to accommodate the aftermarket bumper. With the Hitchgate option I have a stock car that is easily converted for off-road use, and can later be sold/traded as a stock car. I ruled out putting the spare tire on a roof rack because I'm 66 years old and my back is not in the best of shape. The spare tire is easily placed in the Hitchgate when the Hitchgate is swung away from the car. Yes, I still have the factory spare tire installed under the car, however for peace of mind I carry two spares. I could have a 100 mile walk in the Nevada, Utah or Arizona desert should I have two flats, and I have been told people have gotten two flats.
If you want to keep your car stock, I highly recommend the Hitchgate option. I have yet to purchase the Jerry Can so the attached pictures are without the can. The Jerry Can sits behind the crossbar to which the license plate is attached. The pictures on Tiregate's Website of the single Jerry Can option installed on the Adventure Series Hitchgate are not reflective of what I was provided. I think the option I was provided better protects the Jerry Can from damage. When purchasing a Jerry Can ensure the can fits in the mounting bracket. The Jerry Can I liked the best was 5/8" too wide to fit in the mounting bracket. Additionally, Tiregate has hold-down straps for either a metal can or a plastic can. You have to chose which strap you want. Both are not provided.
