Any Hitch - recessed from bumper ?

[Blue]

I know a few of you have already post info on Honda hitch that is flush with the bumper.

My concern is that the hitch will cause damage in a parking situation when the hitch backs into anothter car instead of the bumper.

I was interested in getting Hidden Hitch brand which I assume was recessed from the bumper by a few inches. But the manager at the hitch store told me that this is not neccessary the case. he says that Draw-tite, reese, Hidden hitches are all the same by same company. I knew they were same company, but I thought Hidden Hitch is supposed to be hidden and recess from the bumper.

Has anyone out there installed a hitch that is recessed from the bumper? Please let us know or PM me. I have slowly backed into a fire hydrant before with a minivan that cause alot of damage. I can not imagine what that will do to a hitch. thanks.

[shovelhd]

Draw-Tite and Reese are the same company (Cendant). I can't help with Ridgeline aftermarket hitches, as I have the Honda hitch. However, I had a Draw-Tite on my Ranger that was recessed from the back of the step and tow bumper. I was hit from behind by a brand new Accord at about 30mph. Some paint was scratched off of the hitch but it was otherwise unharmed. The Accord submarined under the hitch and broke both of my rear leaf springs. The Accord was trashed. The hood was peeled back, the head and cam cover were ripped off, and the windshield, cowling, and firewall were bent. I wouldn't worry about hitch damage.

[Blue]

Shovelhead,

I need the extra space to install a back up sensor into the hitch.

I am not worried about someone plowing me from behind. My concern is backing into a fire hydrant or another car.

If I was unlucky enough to back directly into a fire hydrant with the hitch, i think the hydrant will win.

Backing into another car with the hitch will do more damange than the bumper.

The hitch store salesman says that they do not know whether the hitch will be recessed from the bumper until it is installed. So if anyone out there already has draw-tite, reese or hidden hitch installed, please let me know if it is recessed from the bumper. I plan to install a back up sensor into the hitch, and hopefully, the back up sensor will be flush with the bumper.

The back up sensor will be movable to the trailer in the future or other vehicle.

[shovelhd]

Got it. I think if you backed into a hydrant, the hydrant would lose. They are designed to break off. However your backup sensor would probably be toast.

[old guy]

The hitch is in fact recessed from the bumper, at least as installed on mine by the dealer.

[steveberger]

The Honda hitch is recessed from the bumper. The curves and angles make it hard to tell how far. I would say the receiver is recessed 1-2 inches from the rear-most part of the bumper and the lighting connections are recessed 2-3 inches from the receiver. Seems well protected to me. I can tell you I tapped a wall backing up in a parking garage (shortly after I got the truck and before I figured out where the rear end ends). The bumper definately hits before the hitch. Maybe these photos help. The last one is looking straight down over the hitch which you cant see because.... it's recessed!

[ROColorado]

I'm putting in the drawtite hitch soon. I'll post pictures if someone else doesn't get to it first.

[Blue]

Thank, RO and everyone:

Thanks, steveberger, that is the most conclusive and accurate photo that I have seen of the hitch install postion.

I see that the Honda hitch is flush with the lower bumper but recessed from the top.

I am hoping to install a hitch that is at least 4 inches recessed from the bottom of the bumper so I can install a back up sensor in the hitch without sticking out the bottom.

Somehow, I have a feeling that all of them are going to be flush with the bumper because most other hitch accessories requires that.

[vertrkr]

Originally Posted by Blue

Shovelhead,
I need the extra space to install a back up sensor into the hitch.

If you have the backup sensor installed you shouldn't hit anything, at least without a bunch of warning beeps first

[Blue]

Vertrkr,

You are absolutely right. I am just being prudent. As long as I am getting a hitch, I rather get one that looks good and the back up sensor wont stick out past the bumper bottom. It would look a litttle odd with the tail hanging out.

Purely looks.