Why can't they just stay off your ass?

Yes, its upside down. Just don't tear your leg up when walking behind your truck to open the tailgate!

 

Any issues with the rear end? I always wondered what a car could do to yours under there.

 

I heard an exposed ball and hitch is illegal in,you guessed it… in California , is this true?

 

The hitch and rear bumper are both bolted to the frame. Safe to say you’ve never taken a physics class.

 

I had a 4-3/4” tri-cone drill bit (oil well drilling) welded to fit into my receiver on my first gen. I only used it for a couple of months because I kept thinking of the damage it would do if somebody actually rear-ended me.

 

Looks like she was calling you out.....it's common knowledge that the rear-ended wins, hopefully you did.

 

Yep, ordered the bumper shield magnum with 1 month lead time. Will review after delivery..

 

Not upside-down though it can be installed either way. Inverting it only raises the devise about an 1".

 

That’s not mine. It’s someone I follow on IG. I never saw him mention any problems and what I can see from his other pictures, nothing looks tweaked.

 

This isn’t my truck.
You’re right though, rear end definitely won. Lol

 

I was rear ended twice at low speed in my previous truck (GMC). I always leave the drawbar and ball in the receiver. No damage to my truck either time. Carnage to the other vehicles. Both were caused by dumb ass drivers not paying attention. Both times the drivers begged my not to call 911 for an accident report. I suspect that neither was insured.

 

Not in California but where I am: if you run equipment like that and it causes unnecessary damage to the vehicle that hits you, you are on the hook for it.

It is not in your interest to defeat the energy absorbing arrangement in the bumper, you can suffer unnecessary injury when someone rear ends you at speed. I know it seems like our trucks are made of glass but those parts are designed to be frangible and replaceable, and they are designed that way for safety reasons.

 

An 18yr old neighbor of mine was killed by this type accident. He and his brother were using an elastic snatch strap to pull a tractor out of the mud. He was on the tractor. Yes, the ball broke loose from the truck and it went right through his throat. Basically de-capitated him. Instant death.

 

WA drivers are the worst. Can't drive in the sun, rain, or snow. I just got rear ended on I-405 the other day by an inattentive driver too.

 

I was rear ended in my work van about 2 years ago. I was stopped at a railroad crossing i literally watched this guy in my review mirror texting on his phone. His first response was are you gonna call the police. Duhh yes im going to call the poloce you hit a company vehicle. I spazzed out on the guy cuz i watched texting on his phone his response was the phone fell out of the cup holder. All bs. Cops werent much help either as they didnt even write him a ticket. My boss had a had time with him and insurance company. But that wasnt my problem. The guy was a total dipshit.


I also was rear ended on my motorcycle in 2006 stopped at a stop sign. I seen her coming but figured she would stop. I was wrong. She denied being on her phone totalled my bike. Poor bike no real serious injuries to me besides heavy bruising. And whip lash.

 

I may order one of these old time protectors (hitch cover)...mostly just for looks though it may get someone's attention!

$30 Plasticolor 002231R01 Yosemite Sam Back Off Hitch Cover, 1.25"

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B002O3D...olid=3VPGMOWBJ64KP&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

The bumper absorbs a laughably small amount of energy.

Again, the bumper provides so little energy absorbtion, might as well not be there. It's probably better for you to have a plate bumper that forces your tailgate up over their hood.

Now, if you don't want to kill every idiot by sending your tailgate through their windshield, then those hitch stpe things are a great idea. They'll penetrate the engine compartment, grab onto steel, and prevent decapitation hopefully.

Great looking truck!

 

Problem solved.

 

I like this idea

 

Me thinks you are missing the point, and I guess it will have to be said AGAIN...

Ask yourself, what is the point of a bumper?

Answer, to absorb an impact. An impact to what you may ask? An impact that instead of transferring all kinetic energy directly to the frame and bending said frame, causing the truck to be totaled, will instead be absorbed by the bumper, so any residual energy will be minimized to the frame itself. Besides the frame, the driver and passengers will be subject to this energy. For the same reason the bumper absorbs impact to protect the frame, it’s first priority is to protect people inside the truck. More of the energy will transfer directly to the passengers if the impact is not absorbed by the bumper.

This is also why steel plate bumpers, while badass and great for off-roading, are not recommended for daily driving.