Super Heavy Duty Hitch Step / Bumper Protector with Photos

[CharonPDX]

Yep, I have one like the NiLight by GoRhino. It doesn't help with access to the bed when the tailgate is down, but it's useful for reaching into the bed without dropping the gate, or getting to stuff on crossbars mounted over the bed.

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[raylepper]

Another option…don’t have my R1T yet so don’t know how it will look. Looks fine when I tried it on my Ridgeline. Sticks out just far enough, but not too far. (Not my picture). Spare bumper.com $199. Forum user Macktheknife has one installed on their Rivian and seems pleased.

The idea on this one is to absorb (the maker says 'attenuate') some of the impact by way of the rubber parts between the round tube and the receiver. It's the only one I've seen that does this.

 

[Yossarian]

Don't yet have my R1S, but I plan to use the same cheap (under $30) HF hitch step on it as I do on my Telluride:

The step is very helpful to get to up the Thule on the roof (something that will also be used on the R1S), and it helps keep the rear bumper from getting marked up while parallel parked. It's made from plastic (a nylon matrix) and is not terribly robust, which I think is a bit of a benefit. While it's substantial enough to easily handle me at just over 200# (it actually has a 300# rating), it's flimsy enough that I suspect it will disintegrate if hit too hard and hopefully sparing the vehicle's subframe from serious damage.

 

[ahbe]

Do you guys find the hitch step affects range any? Specifically high speed highway driving. I wonder how that affects aero drag.

 

[moosetags]

I bought this one from Nilight for Opal.

Brian

 

[Bob R1T]

With our cramped parking lots in downstate NY I'm very nervous regarding people backing in to my R1T resulting in huge bills (for me). So, to that end.. I flipped the script with some really solid bumper protection to the tune of a 1" thick solid forged cast iron step/protector which weighs in at a tad under 20lbs!

The unit included a locking hitch pin and Anti-rattle stabilizer with stainless steel U-Bolt, stainless nuts/washers. When I bought it 10 days ago on Amazon I paid $79 for it, but that was probably the last one from that seller and the ones available now are $102.. which is still a really good deal considering the super heavy duty build quality and 10,000lb tow rating.

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I believe it is a good start, but the blade won't provide any stopping power. I've installed a Westin SS bump step, with 28" width & 3" thickness, to provide a bit of distance from parallel parking incompetence. It may not stop a rearender, but will minimize those scrapes, and is very useful as a step up.

 

[R1Thor]

I like it, but I'm a bit confused... The purpose of the 5 mph bumper is to take a 5 mph or less bump/hit from poor parking idiots & it suppose to bounce back & show minimal damage. With this hitch connected directly to your vehicle frame, bypassing the bumper's job, now that impact is directed at your vehicle's frame & IMO vehicle frame repair work is more expensive than a bumper repair. Just my thoughts, I could be very wrong here.

You're 100% correct.

I tried bringing this up on another thread with a similar product and the keyboard warriors came out of the woodwork. Don't bother, I guess.

No one wants cautionary tales when they have an echo chamber to backup their (uneducated) biases!

 

[chrismc]

I bought this one from Nilight for Opal.

Brian

This is pretty nice looking, and the most functional of the ones I've seen. Does it interfere with any of the sensors? I'm assuming you can lower the tailgate without it hitting the step?

 

[moosetags]

This is pretty nice looking, and the most functional of the ones I've seen. Does it interfere with any of the sensors? I'm assuming you can lower the tailgate without it hitting the step?

It does not interfere with any of the sensors. The tail gate lowers fully without hitting the step. It does appear in the rear view camera when backing up.

Brian

 

[CO-rayman]

With our cramped parking lots in downstate NY I'm very nervous regarding people backing in to my R1T resulting in huge bills (for me). So, to that end.. I flipped the script with some really solid bumper protection to the tune of a 1" thick solid forged cast iron step/protector which weighs in at a tad under 20lbs!

The unit included a locking hitch pin and Anti-rattle stabilizer with stainless steel U-Bolt, stainless nuts/washers. When I bought it 10 days ago on Amazon I paid $79 for it, but that was probably the last one from that seller and the ones available now are $102.. which is still a really good deal considering the super heavy duty build quality and 10,000lb tow rating.

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Thanks for the idea!

I ended up getting the one in the below link from Amazon, primarily because of the extra length of just under 26 inches instead of 12" or 18" on most other ones.

WeatherTech has a really nice 24" solid billet Aluminum one but they are asking $699 for that one.

The one I got gets great reviews and seems very well made and sturdy (not 11k lbs. rated though, just 350 lbs.).

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0786SGH33?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

 

[JohnB R1T]

If any of y'all are thinking this isn't "enough" or doesn't provide a big enough target...You could always augment it with a length of railroad track (nicely beveled on the ends, of course).

Around here, railroad track goes for$25/foot. It weighs 25# per foot.

 

[NY_Rob]

^ that would do nicely! And one for the front end too ?

Now only if we could protect those soft sides....

 

[Rivianero]

I ended up going with the Black Horse 48" step/protector as it was the widest I could find. I wanted some protection from low speed collisions, especially since the prior owner managed to do that and "totalled" it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08BLT25RF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00

 

[Kidentist]

My Knees/Shins cry just looking at that monstrosity of a step... Good luck.....

 

[NY_Rob]

I ended up going with the Black Horse 48" step/protector as it was the widest I could find. I wanted some protection from low speed collisions, especially since the prior owner managed to do that and "totalled" it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08BLT25RF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00

It will at least stop runaway shopping carts. I doubt a 5,000lb vehicle backing up into you would notice it unless they pretty much hit it dead-center. But, shopping cart dings happen much more frequently, so it's good for that!

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