Ball hitch when hit from behind?

Leaving it in to protect your truck in case of a fender bender is the same logic as putting on bull bars on the front for the same reason. Yeah, you may get a little “f you” points for having your ball go through the grill of a car but your also transferring all of that momentum directly to your frame. Remember, the back portion of these frames are not fully boxed.

 

I have used a "SuperBumper" in all my trucks the last 10 years or so. Even paid for itself when installed on my 2010 Tundra when it was rear ended at a stop light by Honda Civic. Transferred most of the energy and damage back on the Civic with no damage to my Tundra other than scuffed the SuperBumper itself.

http://superbumper.com/

 

Interesting. Website seems a bit infomercialish though.

 

I've yet to find an actual law on the net stating this for any state. Can you find one? I have seen quite a few rumors debunked though.

 

You should be fine with the beaver tail, like I said its spear point shape will act as designed. And bury its self in the other car. Thus not putting xtra stress on your truck.

 

I'd be more concerned if I got hit without the ball on the hitch. Lot more damage to your frame & Bumper and possibly taillights, tailgate, etc....

 

Yes.

It acts as a wedge.

Also in many states its illegal to have a hitchin your reciever when you are not actively towing.

 

The difference is how they are attached. Bumpers are bolted directly to the frame with minimal protrution outward.
Anything sitting in your hitch reciever protrudes outward from the frame creating a wedge.
Force = Mass * Length. The length is what makes the difference.

 

Yes. The stock bumpers are designed to absorb impact and transfer the forces. Leaving the ball hitch in completely side-steps this and transfers the impact directly to the frame. There's a reason there are laws against aftermarket bumpers (yet rarely enforced), lifting your vehicle more than a certain height from stock (safety tests were performed and approved at stock heights), and so on.

What's worse: Having to drop your truck off at the body shop for a new rear bumper or potentially killing someone because you thought you could "protect" yourself?

 

Interesting topic for sure. I've always thought that leaving the tow hitch ball attached would protect further more your truck from incompetent drivers texting or distracted somehow.

 

Bent frame almost every time.

 

Frames are cheap and THIN.

 

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2011-2012/billintroduced/House/htm/2012-HIB-5610.htm

 

When I got rear-ended in Fort Worth, and the car drove off while I pulled over, I was pretty glad to see: (1) Zero damage, other than new gouges on the ball, and (2) the puddle and wet trail, showing where it punched through the radiator of the car that hit me and ran.

But now I take it out when not towing because it rattles in the receiver.

 

They’ve saved many a bumper for sure. Mine is always in.

 

In some states (like Pennsylvania) it is illegal to leave a ball hitch in if you are not towing at that moment

 

my all time favorite front end remover when someone rear ends you

 

My brother got rear ended on the Bay Bridge in SF and the guy fled the scene. Cops followed the ATF and Coolant trail to the perp’s disabled car a few miles away in the city. My brother’s ball hitch caught the guy that hit him!

 

I've yet to tow anything, but this one is mine. I have it stored behind the rear seats.

 

my shins hurt just looking at that monster