Opinions On Keeping Trailer Hitch Installed

(snicker!)

 

scuffs, scratches and gouges. Doesnt take much to do that to plastic including our 4runner bumpers.

 

If you're hitting hard enough to cause scuffs, scratches and gouges, you're not doing it right. It is entirely possible to tap another car without damaging it if you have a little finesse.

 

Sounds like you’ve mastered it!

 

You are more likely to have someone hit you with a hitch sticking out that they aren’t expecting/didn’t see.

 

what about the giant SUV in front of them, didnt see that as well? Come on now…

if youre parking 6 inches away from the rear of my bumper, It’s not the trailer hitch sticking out that’s the problem

 

I feel naked without the hitch, it worries me.

 

Awe youre dead meat now! Lol

 

Huh? You should be about 6” or less away from the person in front of you in a parking lot. Do you leave your vehicle hanging out in the aisle?

 

6” or less? Thats silly, how the hell is anyone going to get to the rear of the car to load groceries or anything else when youre that close to someone bumper. What if you have a stroller for your infant in the back area? I guess you just climb on their hood and drag it out across persons hood that didnt give you any room to maneuver..

 

I think he is assuming that both people are parking nose to nose. Like in most grocery store parking lots. I agree with this. I don't want the ass end of my SUV hanging out, so I pull in as close to the line as possible (without going over).

There are some cases where people back into a parking stall. I do this when I park at work in the parking garage. The car behind me is always VERY close to my bumper. But I get it. I'm backed up to the line, and they pull in close to the line also. I don't want the front end of my ride sticking out and they don't want the ass end of their car sticking out.

I only back in at work, never at a grocery store or in a shopping center type area. I want full access to open up the liftgate on my 4Runner. If I back in, I cannot do that.

 

i hear you, but a lot of people including myself like to back into a spot so its easier to see and pull out of the spot.

being a former FF and LEO, we always backed our vehicles in so we can get out quickly when needed and it just stuck with me. I also park that way in my garage.

if I ever pull into a spot and the car in front of me has its rear end there, Im always courteous and give them some space

 

I back in almost everywhere. But, I'll pull in forward if I know I'm going to be loading a bunch of stuff in the back.

 

How about you just don’t back into a space if you need to get into the back of the vehicle? That seems like common sense.

 

How about you don’t park 6 inches or less from the front or rear of my bumper. Seems like common sense as well as common courtesy. But then again many drivers lack courtesy wherever they go….

 

A typical parking space is only 18’ long. In a double loaded parking lot both vehicles should be pulled up right to the center line. Maybe it’s time for you to go back to drivers Ed?

 

I should really post this in the 'peeves' thread but its somewhat fitting here...only in reverse.

Beautiful day, parked my truck and tended to business. Came out to leave and noticed this El Camino parked unnaturally close to my rig. No note, nothing. Tell me you couldn't tell you backed into someone. Sent these pics off to my insurance agent, he handled my claim, pretty certain whoever this perp was had an adjustment to their insurance premium.

 

Oh turd you’re the best! thanks for educating me. I never knew that in my 50 years on this planet. How did I make it this far without your plethora of knowledge.

Drivers Ed? Based on what I’ve experienced, I don’t even think they even teach that in Massachusetts… lol

 

he needs a parking lesson from thatBassguy. Hit you 1000 times and never leave a mark lol!

 

Seems like you may need a refresher course if parking is this stressful.

 

If you guys are worried about parking dings just weld this up. Good to go.

 

^All in good fun.

I will say I think @Thatbassguy is right. Very slow impacts are unlikely to cause serious damage.

Isn't that why insurance companies mandated vehicle manufactures to create bumpers that can "absorb" slow impacts? They were spending a lot of money on small fender benders when everything had steel and chrome bumpers.

Nowadays, most bumper covers are plastic backed by foam. They flex quite a bit before doing serious damage.

 

Oh yep, I’m a little disappointed they got rid of the 5 mph no-damage bumper requirement though.

 

Looks like that dude still has a dent in the left rear door.

 

This is exactly why you don't drive around with a trailer hitch installed.

Yup. Because I wouldn't have a hitch in my bumper for no reason.

 

im good. Im easy like Sunday morning man!

 

Yeah, I get the picture that you go around giving love taps…

 

You jinxed me! So I let the wife park her car in the garage so she can load children easy…
Just checked on the 4R look how close this dude’s car is my precious!

 

Actually, I haven't hung out in that neighborhood in about 20 years. I'm just trying to point out that someone tapping your car in a parking lot isn't a big deal.

 

I guess for some I could see it being a big deal tho, like if you have a ‘24 and not a beat up ‘16 lol…don’t live in New York that’s for sure, it’s like bumper cars I hear