Rear bumper guard hitch mount?

[Icemanjones]

Ive seen all the hitch mounted box racks and bike racks and it got me thinking. Has anyone ever seen or built a guard for the rear as a hitch mount? Expy rear bumpers are crazy expensive and not many choices. I was thinking a mount that goes up from the hitch about 10 inches and then a horizontal bar about 4 feet wide just under the path of the tailgate. Heavy gauge square stock. What do you think? Will it affect the back up sensor? I dont have any welding materials so I cant build it myself but maybe if viable I can find someone.

 

[Trainmaster]

How's this?

https://sparebumper.com/

Or maybe this:

https://www.expeditionforum.com/attachments/20161027_142545-jpg.18179/

 

[Icemanjones]

Im liking that red tree of doom. Looks like business

 

[chuck s]

The hitch pin on the Expedition receiver is only 2" from the rear of the receiver and, while it works fine for a trailer hitch, will trigger the audible alarm when my 2017 Expedition goes into Reverse.

The "Spare Bumper" (tm) turns on the backup alarm immediately when Reverse is engaged. Just verified this (several times) in the past week. Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep! It sticks out too far from the bumper and the design prevents it from being mounted closer.



The "Bumper Shield" works, however, in either the extended (max impact absorption) or closer (more visually pleasing) positions.



(Vendor photos, not mine! )

-- Chuck

 

[Trainmaster]

The "Bumper Shield" works, however, in either the extended (max impact absorption) or closer (more visually pleasing) positions.

Did you try the "BumperShield? How far does it stick out and does it look stupid? I'm considering it, but I'd love to see how it looks on an Expedition.

 

[chuck s]

I ordered the "spare bumper" -- the round bar type in the upper photo above -- but it sticks out far enough to constantly activate the beep. I returned this to the vendor.

The vendor sent me the "bumper shield" which shows on the Chevy in the lower photo. Works on my Expedition in either the long -- full protection -- position and the closer position that isn't as unsightly. The photo of the Chevy shows it in the full protection position. Gonna look the same on the Expedition.

No photos on my Expedition as yet as my trailer hitch is on there for moving my travel trailer.

-- Chuck

 

[mossback]

Good info, Chuck.

 

[Icemanjones]

I think I will mock up one with some cardboard to see if it activates the alarm. Im assuming the 07 has different sensor setup than a 17 but who knows.

 

[chuck s]

The plate version can be mounted closer than the tube version. The tube version only has one length option, the plate has two with one being a good inch closer to the bumper.

-- Chuck

 

[cullinan18]

I have the weathertech bumper step on my 17 and it doesn't set off the backup sensors.
https://www.weathertech.com/bumpstep-original/

 

[chuck s]

Seems to be significantly narrower than the "spare bumper dot com" device so is out of the field of detection.

I think width is the critical factor. My Equalizer(tm) WDH will only activate the alarm if I put the weight bars in the hitch before backing up to the trailer. Just the bare hitch will not cause the beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep.

-- Chuck