RCI OFFROAD - 05-15 Rear bumper

Love the new bumper RCI!

How in the world is the trailer connector supposed to snake through? The internal bar has a recess cut to provide clearance when it’s in the final position, but I cannot get that plug snaked into position. It’s almost as if I’m missing a 1/16” of clearance. Any tips?

 

About 2' up the harness, there is a connector where the trailer harness plugs into the truck harness. Unplug it and feed it through.

 

Initially, I removed the sub harness as you mentioned, but noticed the bumper was actually designed to rear mount the connector per this pic in the first post:



When trying to slide/snake it into position from the rear, there’s just not quite enough clearance.

 

Oh, OK, I've got nothing then.

 

Appreciate you sharing some ideas though!

 

I was able to get the 7-Pin connector into position by using my dremel and removing about 1/32" off the bottom flat edge of the connector and sanding a radius on the upper edge, along the back edge behind the hinge point (for the cover). I removed approximately another 1/32" of material off the top edge in the process of putting the radius in it. It was snug, but it slid right into position.

I've made RCI aware of the tight fitment, but honestly the light amount of sanding/sculpting required isn't a big deal.

 

I'm gonna have to give this a try and maybe work a bit more radius on the "trailer" side of the bottom (I have a tighter fit than the 2/32nds described) -- The space that this 2.725" plug needs to fit through is only 2.50" on the bumper here (like 7/32nds to deal with on the 2010 Sport); a bit too much for reshaping that pricey-ass connector (IMHO).

Famous Wheelin' Quote #214: "Hold my beer, this is gonna be tight."


@Joshp767 , aside from cutting the connector smaller than the sealing cap, or cutting out a section of the rear reinforcement, what's RCI thinking about these? Any thoughts or other input?

 

This came out OK, eh @Joshp767 ?

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In my specific situation, it looks like I picked-up about 5° of departure angle and a few inches of clearance (gonna need to move the spare to realize more)

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Since some posts in this thread speculated about weight gain... I used my hoist's load-cell to figure that I LOST more than 15lbs (OEM includes the receiver and bumper; RCI weight had the license plate mount, but NOT the back-up lamps)...

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(for reference, 2010 DCSB Sport. Paint is Rustoleum Gloss White)


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That looks really good.

I recently bought a brand new 215/85-16 Duratrac for a spare. It's about 2" narrower than my 265/75-16 Duratracs. By specs, it's 1 1/4" shorter. Since the tires on the truck are at about 70%, in reality, it's probably less than 1" difference. If I had a '05-'08 TRD sport, that might be a concern, but I have a TRD offroad. I haven't put it under the truck yet. When I do, I'll post a pic.

 

So the license plate has to flip up to use the receiver that’s not rated for towing? That’s pretty much a ticket in every state guys. Can I retain my receiver hitch and still use this bumper?

 

I've seen plenty of people with hidden hitches and flip up license plates. I think the consensus is that you can't really see the plate when there's a trailer in the way anyway. I decided I didn't want to risk getting pulled over and went a different route. Fold down step for getting into the bed and a hinged license plate for visibility when towing.

 

Did you make this setup or buy it?

 

I bought the components and modded them.

The step was made for the front of motorhomes by a company called Fold-a-way. They are no longer made. I missed 2 of them on ebay. They sell within hours. I finally got 1. That was months ago and there hasn't been another 1 on ebay since. I cut a hole in it for the receiver hitch. Then I bought a drop stinger and extended it out. It's welded together with a reinforcing tube on the inside. The license plate hinge is a piece of piano hinge.

 

Good looking bumper. Does anyone if they are certified for towing? I know they say they’re rated for Toyota towing capacity, but saying it and certification are two different things. Thanks.

 

This is what they say.

"•While not rated for towing, our bumper has been tested to tow comparably to the OEM capacities."

In other words, "we have faith in our product, but if you tow a trailer with a sketchy setup, crash, and die, your relatives can't sue use for hitch failure." I would imagine that just like CARB and other certifications, getting a hitch certified to tow X,000 lbs is really expensive. You can be sure that any company that spends that kind of money is going to pass the cost on to the consumer. I have built plenty of things that aren't certified, but are built structurely strong enough to hold up to way more than I subject them to. Most things you can just look at them and tell how strong they are. If a hitch is made with 1/8" wall tubing and held on with 1/4" grade 3 bolts, that's a fail. If it's made with 1/4" wall tubing and is attached with 8 bolts, all 1/2" grade 8, that's something I would put faith in.

 

Well heck that’s a no go for me. But a very nice looking bumper. I would also imagine the certification process is expensive.

 

I didn't see that you got an answer for this:
Nope, the mounting for this bumper uses the same frame holes that the OEM hitch is mounted into, you could not run them both without some substantial mods (like narrowing the hitch's mounting width by 1/2").

As for the ticket thing, not really. Your mileage may vary, but I run hidden hitches like this on all the trucks, and with several "LEO contacts" while towing, haven't even heard mention about the plate being about 30° from vertical. To your point, I prolly wouldn't recommend running around with your drop-hitch installed without a trailer following very-close behind

 

So just to clarify, you cannot use this bumper with an existing tow package/receiver hitch that is mounted below the OEM bumper?

 

The receiver hitch will have to be removed. Once removed though, this will fit a truck that was originally equipped, if that was your question.

 

Thanks. Was mainly curious if you could install this bumper and retain the OEM receiver hitch, but it sounds like that is not the case.