Got rear ended this morning - hitch step saved my Mav

[Deftallica]

I'd like to get one of these, we even sell them where I work, but then it'd be a smidge too long to fit in to my garage with the way I have my shop arranged. Oof

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[deadeye]

Two words: Hitch Airbag... don't steal my idea.

Ooh, or reactive armor! Although airbag is probably more legal. Now I want a hitch airbag

 

[st3v]

Make sure your frame underneath is not bent. This is a unibody vehicle. Someone hit my previous Maverick right on the hitch while it was parked and it bent the frame, which didn't look like much damage, but the car was totaled by the insurance company.

 

[Robert C]

I received the hitch step ordered from Amazon from your link. It is an extraordinarily loose fit, I certainly wouldn't try to step on it. But if it acts as an anti-tailgate damage device, I guess it's worth it. It is a honeycombed crumple sort of thing. It would have been nice to be able to use it as a step. There's got to be a better tighter fitting one out there.

 

[marp]

@BoboysTruck - What dashcam are you using? I looked through the thread and didn't see it mentioned. Thank you!

 

[PlantMan]

It is an extraordinarily loose fit, I certainly wouldn't try to step on it.

You can buy a clamp that tightens things up. Both of my trucks have them on the hitch steps.

 

[BoboysTruck]

@BoboysTruck - What dashcam are you using? I looked through the thread and didn't see it mentioned. Thank you!

https://a.co/d/6jQuQKU

It's currently unavailable. I'm thinking about upgrading to one with gps and wifi. Transferring video the old fashioned way is, well, getting old. I have to remove the card from the dash cam, stick it into a card reader to transfer to my phone.
Works really well though and video quality is pretty good.

 

[BoboysTruck]

I received the hitch step ordered from Amazon from your link. It is an extraordinarily loose fit, I certainly wouldn't try to step on it. But if it acts as an anti-tailgate damage device, I guess it's worth it. It is a honeycombed crumple sort of thing. It would have been nice to be able to use it as a step. There's got to be a better tighter fitting one out there.

I didn't buy it as a step and I don't remember ever using it as a step. I use it mostly to tie my shoe laces when I change into my steel toe shoes that I keep in the bed.
You're right though, it is loose. I wrapped the end of it with duct tape and that helped a bit.

 

[BoboysTruck]

Make sure your frame underneath is not bent. This is a unibody vehicle. Someone hit my previous Maverick right on the hitch while it was parked and it bent the frame, which didn't look like much damage, but the car was totaled by the insurance company.

No damage to the frame. I crawled under there to look.

 

[Walter56]

That worked well. I might get an anvil or a vice like the blacksmiths use for extra safety

 

[Deleted member 5597]

Speaking of getting rear ended, a week before Christmas '23, I was not only rear ended, but the driver decided to do a hit and run too. I was at a red light behind another car who was waiting to make a right hand turn. It was dark and raining. The car behind me decided he was tired of waiting and went over the curb, hit me in the right rear taillight and quarter panel. He decided to take off before I could get my cell phone's camera turned on. A trip to the Ford body shop revealed to damage at over $7K. They've had my Maverick since since 3 Jan, took it apart, completely inspected the undercarriage and frame and bumper, tested the electronics, and I'm supposed to get it back on 25 Jan.

 

[MavJet]

Me personally would not want to run into someone with a hitch receiver installed. A friend of mine did, the hitch went right thru the radiator and hit the engine block, scraping the engine. On a 20 MPG collision. If it was just a bumper it would have been minor damage.

 

[BoboysTruck]

In some states leaving a hitch Receiver in place is illegal and insurance companies are starting to crack down on not paying. That step may be considered the same way?

Please site some sources where it says that it is illegal to leave a hitch receiver in place. I did some search and came up empty. I'd like to know if my state is one of those.

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