Rear Hidden Hitch Bumpers (not high-clearance)

Just emailed the pic’s of the mounting brackets. I’ll post it here as well.

 

Your bumper looks great!! That’s what I was expecting mine to look like.

 

For clarity's sake, here are my mounting tabs.

 

Weird, looks like you both are using the exact same mounting points.

 

So, quick question about hidden-hitch rear bumpers. I realize most fabricators include a bracket to flip up the license plate when you're using the hitch. But aren't you legally required to display a rear license plate, even if you're towing a trailer/using the hitch?

So I guess my question is, if you're utilizing the hitch, are you risking getting pulled over for not displaying a rear license plate on the tow vehicle?

 

I drove from Austin to Denver and back with a hitch bike rack without any issue. Yes, it does flip the plate up but not enough to render it not legible.

 

Roger that. If a cop wants to pull you over, they're going to pull you over.

I'm still on the fence about the hidden hitch though. I had one on my 1st gen and it was a pain in the ass. Much more hassle trying to hook the receiver, hitch, lights, and trailer than any "clearance" issues I avoided while off road.

I might just stick with a conventional receiver since I want to tow an off road trailer.

 

Is it possible for you two to measure some of the distances of the bolt holes to the top edge of the metal "tab"? It would be interesting to compare the distances. Not only the bumper, but also the frame of the truck.

Try to determine if the bumper varies or if the truck construction changed.

 

Both the truck are 2017s. Mine is a TX truck if that matters.

Comparing the two, all I can see is that there may be room to "pivot" the bumper up in order to close the gap under the taillight. A little of pivot on the rear bolt as the axis would make a big difference in how the bumper sits overall. Not saying this is the fix, it's just the only difference I can see in the pics for now. Although, maybe something is getting in the way of the bumper being able to be rotated.

 

I got mine from C4 Fabrication with swing outs and all but you can order it however you want. https://www.c4fabrication.com/produ...and-series-high-clearance-rear-bumper-system/

 

Looks like you went high clearance... I'm not ready for the yet.

Good looking bumper though. I love the tubular fender protection. Looks badass.

 

The two brackets are different. Look closely at the top of them. The one that doesn't fit has a big tab at the top front mounting point.

 

I think it's the contrast in my pic (bottom), but they look the same to me. The front of the trucks is to the right in these pics. You're looking at the passenger side mounting bracket.

 

Look at the position of the top bolt to the rear. On his it's right at the edge of the bracket. On your's it's like a half inch away. Those are not the same bracket.

I'm looking at the crops you posted btw.

 

Yeah those definitely look lower on his bracket. That bottom right bolt location is maxed out on mine. I was lifting the bumper right under that bracket with a hydraulic floor back to the point it was lifting the truck. Only way the bumper was going up any higher was to tilt the bumper and that would cause the bottom right corner of the bumper to get further away from the body because it was just pivoting on that bolt. That’s the hole I was thinking about enlarging.

 

Curious to find out from @Joshp767 if they redesigned the bracket design in the last year.

 

I would have them send me a new one and pay shipping for the return of the one they sent me.

 

Thanks for posting the photo’s! I think I see which hole I need to modify. I guess I’m messing with this bumper again this weekend.

 

Here's my experience with the RCI bumper for another data point.

This is as it sits now. Not a huge gap, but definitely not as tight fitting as some others have posted.


My mounting bolt positioning:


This flange here below the tailgate was preventing me from using the bottom mounting holes, so conceivably one could cut a notch into it for a closer fitment.


Also, not sure if anyone notices, but the gap on the stock bumper is actually decently large (at least on mine it was).

 

I take back what I said. I wasn't looking closely enough. It looks like the bolt on yours is further away, but if you look really closely you can see the outline of the bracket. I was fooled by the grime making it all look like one piece.