Well, my hitch paid off yesterday in Boston

[PracticalFJ]

A Dumbass in an Accord w/his GF wasn't paying attention yesterday on Comm Ave and whaled into my hitch....not a scratch or anything on the 4runner. His Accord, or actually her accord suffered a broken headlight, punched hole in bumper, and Grill/Bumper/Headlight misalignment.

I knew it would happen, just sooner than 14 months of ownership!

 

[Ripsnort]

That's why I leave mine in. Right there is the proof.

I had a F250 that punched through two radiators (without a scratch to my bumper) in 200-2003 due to slow speed rear ends. I should start making little car patches and put them on the nose of my truck.

 

[terra4r]

awesome. reverse battering ram

 

[MarkWalker]

Hahaha - for them

I had the very same thing happen to me right after I bought my Jeep Wrangler, except the idiot was drunk and it was in a Whataburger drive-thru line.

He was so hammered, he backed up and ran into me again, twice. I finally put the Jeep in reverse, hammered the gas and put the hitch ball right through his radiator. Cops came and he went to jail, they thought it was hysterical that I hammered him since he was being an idiot. Not a scratch other than to my hitch ball.

 

[Atlanta_man]

Makes me sad to read that. As a former Houston person.

No Whataburgers in Atlanta. boo

 

[Uneek]

My Mazda's hitch did the same thing to a gal's Corolla. She was a bit upset that I wanted her insurance info when there was no visible damage to my car and she had a nice hole in her bumper.

 

[westwind77]

Yep, along with the others here had mine go through an old wagon front end, not a scratch on my old Bronco. Then had an idiot in a Camero at Wendy's pull right into the hitch (middle of the day, not drunk, unlike above). Put a nice dent/crack in his bumper. Got out, took a look, told him "that sucks for you", got my food and drove away. I will always keep it there, and mine sticks out even further...bbbwwwwwhhhhhahahahahahaha!

 

[CraigRoberts]

Holy crap, a lot of you have gotten rear-ended. I better hurry up and pick up a hitch before it is too late.

 

[gwcpa]

I always take mine out. I use it every weekend in the summer, and it sticks out a long way. Shin knocker that activates my sonar.

One thing to remember is that in a hard rear collision the hitch is attached to the frame. The bumper cushion will not do its job and your neck and back will get more energy transmitted to it.

I've owned many cars and trucks, but just have one neck. It easier to get my bumper and rear hatch repaired than my (or family's) neck and back repaired.

It is also more likely to cause frame damage than rear sheetmetal/bumper cover/cushion/rebar/hatch with the draw bar in than out. I've seen pickups with the frame buckled in the middle of the bed with no damage to the tailgate.

 

[axxman]

I hate tailgaters, I take sick pleasure in looking at that photo.

 

[Titanpat57]

I got blasted several months back....young kid, on her phone.

I don't leave my hitch in, I have this solid steel jammi with aluminum diamond plate on it that has the same effect.....plus it also doubles as a step to reach the roof....but did a number on her car just the same.

I know they can tear up your shins if your not careful, but it really serves a purpose.

 

[Johnny Utah]

I'm not sure what to do. On my xterra, the trailer hitch stuck out about 6 inches, and it did actually serve it's purpose one time, But, it looked good on the Xterra, i am unsure what to do on my 4runner.

I know it would serve its purpose if someone rear ended me, but, it also looks a little funny always having it in, and a lot of time i have to back into tight parking spots and garages, i might want to have that extra 6 inches(thats what she said)

decisions, decisions.

 

[Ukie]

I'm not sure what to do. On my xterra, the trailer hitch stuck out about 6 inches, and it did actually serve it's purpose one time, But, it looked good on the Xterra, i am unsure what to do on my 4runner.

I know it would serve its purpose if someone rear ended me, but, it also looks a little funny always having it in, and a lot of time i have to back into tight parking spots and garages, i might want to have that extra 6 inches(thats what she said)

decisions, decisions.

It would be great to have a shorter version of SuperBumper/SpareBumper/BumperShield
Take a look at my picture @ http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/92755-someone-hit-me-rear-bumper-options.html
What if you have one rubber ring only?
Of course it will decrease shock absorption but it will serve your purpose. You may want to talk to Jeff @ Super Bumper to get his opinion.
Also Bumper Shield will look more compact because it's a plate and not a tube.