Review: Mabett hitch filler panel

[Waterick]

I scuffed my in the same spots. Nearly impossible to get past the safety chain brackets without doing so. Maybe the second time around I could do better. The instructions didn’t give any information on how to avoid it. Overall a nice product with good fit once installed.

I'm going to give mine some time to weather and heat cycle. I'll eventually use some type of plastic restoration product on it. It's not easy to notice unless your really looking down there.

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[Waterick]

Far too many people don't care about aesthetics, or Country of Origin, as long as it's cheap.

HRG

Anyone know the actual source of the OEM Ford panel? I'm sure it has more mark up.

 

[Bohefus]

I Have been using my 4 pin connection lately to tow a jet ski and the spring that is used on the door is pretty strong and it pushes the connection a little sideways. would be nice if the door would lock open.

 

[Waterick]

Appreciate the info as I'm sure many folks do. I was really referring to the country of origin, ie where is the Ford panel made? I probably paid less than the Ford mark up for the modified panel, let alone the plain OEM one from Ford and it might even be made in China too!
Believe me, when it comes to sending my dollars to China, I'm pretty careful: it will not be a high dollar amount. I still don't have a tonneau cover because the domestic ones don't manufacture what I want and I refuse to send hundreds of dollars to China for a cheap temporary to get me by. Floor mats the same way; the ones made in China were way too pricey for me to send them that amount. I wanted nice ones, but did not want to pay even an American company over one hundred dollars for floor mats made in China or other unknown countries. I ended up with Tuxmats made in Canada. A little pricy, but look luxurious and in a very visible area. Yes, I have bought a few things for the Maverick from China, maybe even more than I know. But I have attempted to keep my purchases done conscieniously.

 

[Mdavis]

Received my hitch filler panel today from Amazon. Quick delivery. Installed after dinner. Done in a few minutes, took twice as long because I removed my step bumper so I could see it all better. This was not necessary, but I wanted pictures and it showed better without the step. Very happy with it, especially for the price. Yes, less than perfect but it's not on the front bumper either. Looks great at 15 feet and obviously better than factory. Color is very close and may get better as the panels weather more. I did create the scuff marks myself thru my careless handling. I guess that's just like factory too.

I made my own out of some carbon fiber plate. I'm happy with it!

 

[Dad]

While I think it could be viewed as an “improvement” it looks too much just a beta product than a finished item.

For me, I’d rather try to fabricate the Ford plate or pay more ($100 or so) for one that is a perfect match.

Maybe the manufacturer will heed the reviews, either from here or Amazon and make some changes. I know, I know, and maybe a unicorn will show up in my front yard.

 

[MM Mav]

@Dad take photos or video of the unicorn please

 

[Dad]

@Dad take photos or video of the unicorn please

Hahaha! Security cameras are armed and ready!

 

[710-oil-614]

Maybe the manufacturer will heed the reviews, either from here or Amazon and make some changes. I know, I know, and maybe a unicorn will show up in my front yard.

That one eBay link from @23 Lariat looks perfect for $81 shipped. It’s the ford part and cut perfectly.

 

[JPinPA]

My hitch looks better at 15ft without a badly made filler panel.

They couldn't even bother to spend 15 minutes specifying a matching color or texture.

But the upside is it won't develop condensation!

 

[Chewy]

Far too many people don't care about aesthetics, or Country of Origin, as long as it's cheap.

HRG

If they don’t care about aesthetic, why even bother putting on the cheap one-size-fits-all with its less-than-precise cutouts? It doesn’t look any better than no panel to me. If one cares about the looks of the hitch area, the custom trimmed Ford panel is the only way to go.

 

[Superg0]

Wow $74 for a plastic cover? I'll go $17 and call it a day. It's not a show truck, and the Mabett cover looks better than not having one.

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