Trailer Hitch Cover or Mini Bumper for Parking issues

[bluecollarjock]

Hi,
Just got a 2016 4runner and live in Los Angeles so want to keep the rear bumper as scratch/dent free as possible from people who like bumper tapping into parking spots. When I lived in DC it was much worse, so I had one of those silly but effective mini bumpers that plug into the hitch receiver.

Most of my 4x4s I end up putting steel bumpers front and rear so its not a problem (more a problem for anyone who actually bumps into me since a lifted 4x4 is higher than their bumper and will break their grill), but my goal with this 4runner is to keep it STOCK for as long as possible. Just need to get some floor and cargo mats and maybe some better driving lights at some point.

I could always do the old school hitch option, or I have seen some nice American flag hitch covers, but those mini bumpers give a little bit of lateral protection.

This one looks SOLID but too bad they no longer make it: http://www.coolcruisers.com/turebugu.html

This looks interesting, some sort of impact absorbing system: http://sparebumper.com/index.php?act=viewDoc&docId=7

Anyone have ideas of suggestions I might not be thinking of? I know getting your bumpers dinged and scratched up might not be a big deal, but I would rather it be from me off roading down the road than some idiots who just do not know how to park. Too bad there are not any little legit pre-runner push guard type things for the front of a 5th gen to protect up there as well, without going with an entirely new bumper.

Thanks

 

[flyrv9]

Get some 2" square steel tubing and make your own. That way you can extend it along the bumper each way as long as you want.

 

[catastrofe]

I have the Bumpershield model from Sparebumper.com (also known as Superbumper.com). No one has hit me, but people ask about it all the time so I know it gets noticed.

 

[Cheers!]

Smittybuilt bever tail

 

[Auntie Soshul]

I have the Smittybilt Beavertail Step, or as I like to call it, the Smittybilt "Anti-tailgating Device".

 

[Bossman]

I used the Go Rhino 36" polished stainless steel hitch step on my 03 Limited.

Hitch Step

 

[3wbdriver]

I also endorse the Beavertail. Even with a steel bumper.....

 

[kwill]

Same here. I got castigated for owning anything "Chittybuilt" on another forum but it is a great product for what it is.

 

[renau001]

For me it's a bike rack that stays on all the time, but if it wasn't that, I'd have something like this:

Smittybilt 29312B Receiver Hitch D-Ring with 3/4-Inch Shackle for 2-Inch Receivers - Walmart.com

Course that would only help for a straight on impact.

 

[Jhalko]

I also endorse the Beavertail. Even with a steel bumper.....

Redundant my friend. :becky:

 

[3wbdriver]

Redundant my friend. :becky:

Still makes a good recovery point for a strap, and a lower step for my old bones to get up to the bumper....... :crutch:

 

[jrandom]

Redundant my friend. :becky:

Two is one, one is none :madgrin:

 

[bluecollarjock]

Thanks for all the responses!! That Beaver Tail looks intimidating! That might be a visual deterrent alone for folks not to be love tapping bumpers for parking! haha....

I am tempted by the bumpershield or the Beaver Tail at this point...

I have used the Go Rhino step in the past and it did its job in DC, kept my rear bumper nice and it did have dings so I know idiots hit it....

Not going to do rock sliders now, but that Beaver Tail looks like it would protect the rear, some gnarly sliders might protect the door dings, and wish there was some sort of front push guard/pre-runner bumper available that was sturdy...just not ready nor wanting to drop cash on front or rear full bumpers.

Thanks again you all are a great help!

 

[Jernik]

Can't find any pics on 4Runner, but maybe this for up front?

Onki Aegis

 

[e60ral]

1. Wait for someone to damage your bumpers from parking
2. Collect insurance
3. ...
4. Steel Bumper profit

 

[Boyds4Runner]

Maybe this is not the intended route you are interested in but, around the DC area I see quite a few cars with this on their back bumper.

I personally don't use anything. I just have a rubber, Toyota hitch-cover. In my case it's tight in my garage and I hate ripping into my knee caps if I try to squeeze between the garage door and the back of the car if the trailer-hitch-ball is on.

Outdoor Parking Bumper Protector, Bumper Protection, Rear Bumper Guard

 

[bluecollarjock]

1. Wait for someone to damage your bumpers from parking
2. Collect insurance
3. ...
4. Steel Bumper profit

Ha! Not a bad plan. I just suspect that if my front end gets all scratched and ugly from bumper parking the insurance isn't gonna be so fast to offer to replace/fix the bumper. I assume around here its just part of the dealio of living in LA.

 

[bluecollarjock]

Can't find any pics on 4Runner, but maybe this for up front?

Onki Aegis

Sweet Jesus that is ugly..and I assume like many others similar to that kind, it will end up causing more front end damage by collapsing in on the grill, fenders and hood if there is a minor collision....

Anything on the front of a 4x4 to me needs to either be a real full steel bumper, or a real steel brush guard that bolts to the frame (like the old Dukes of Hazzard General Lee had), or a "real" pre-runner bumper/light bar that bolts to the frame and can withstand some impact. But I have yet to see anything of those sorts for the 5th Gen 4runner.

 

[bluecollarjock]

Maybe this is not the intended route you are interested in but, around the DC area I see quite a few cars with this on their back bumper.

I personally don't use anything. I just have a rubber, Toyota hitch-cover. In my case it's tight in my garage and I hate ripping into my knee caps if I try to squeeze between the garage door and the back of the car if the trailer-hitch-ball is on.

Outdoor Parking Bumper Protector, Bumper Protection, Rear Bumper Guard

DC is the worst....I lived in that area a long time and watched drivers wedge their cars into parking spots hitting the car in front and rear of them MANY times, like it was no big deal. Also traffic in DC area is horrible and drivers are rude, put on a turn signal and they speed up to cut you off...EVEN when I was driving marked police cruiser or an unmarked cruiser that was still OBVIOUSLY a police car (5 antennas, spotlight, tinted windows etc). Glad to be out of there, in LA traffic people actually slow down to let you in when they see a turn signal, or when you let people in they smile and wave thanks...totally different than DC. LA traffic is bad, but people are no where near as rude and inconsiderate as DC.

I have a tight garage, so am bummed that the Bumpershield sticks out 6-8" according to a member here, although it looks nice and seems to have some serious perks for both bumper parking and light slow speed accidents. The Beaver Tail looks legit for deterring bumper parking, but I assume it is sticking out at least 6-8" too?

Might end up with old school ball hitch....and for front just letting it be and down the road maybe going steel bumper if it gets trashed up enough, but was hoping to keep this TRD stock rather than sinking thousands of dollars in aftermarket stuff addiction like every other truck and Jeep I've owned. A new front bumper will then need lights, winch, new coils to deal with the weight, etc etc...domino addiction effect hah...

 

[e60ral]

Sweet Anything on the front of a 4x4 to me needs to either be a real full steel bumper, or a real steel brush guard that bolts to the frame (like the old Dukes of Hazzard General Lee had), or a "real" pre-runner bumper/light bar that bolts to the frame and can withstand some impact. But I have yet to see anything of those sorts for the 5th Gen 4runner.

There are plenty of real metal bumper options

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