Rear ended or Glad I installed a trailer hitch!
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08 MMH 4WD
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 111
From: Lakewood, CO
Rear ended or Glad I installed a trailer hitch!
It seems that every car I own needs to get hit or rear ended at least once. Last night there was a tractor trailer that was blocking the highway so everyone was getting off.
Maybe after a ½ mile on a city street of heavy stop & go I had just crossed the intersection & had to come to a quick stop. The mini-van well behind me did not react fast enough, slammed on their brakes but did not stop in time, bonk!
After we got off the street instead of blocking traffic I could not see any damage. Fortunately her Honda Odyssey nose dived enough & hit my hitch receiver with rubber plug square in the middle of her mini van.
Her front plate & mount were pretty messed up & you could see many paint cracks in the bumper where it flexed. It did not even seem to disturb any of the dirt on my MMH! Glad it was not a real hard hit and only contacted the hitch receiver.
I have the Valley brand class III hitch instead of the Draw-Tite or Hidden Hitch that sticks out maybe an inch beyond the rear bumper. It sticking out des not bother me & I have never hit it with my leg. If that was not back there, this would be a very different story with me needing to get the rear bumper fascia repaired / replaced.
I did get info but I don’t think I will need to file any claims thankfully. Hopefully this was my 1 hit & will now be smooth sailing!
Maybe after a ½ mile on a city street of heavy stop & go I had just crossed the intersection & had to come to a quick stop. The mini-van well behind me did not react fast enough, slammed on their brakes but did not stop in time, bonk!
After we got off the street instead of blocking traffic I could not see any damage. Fortunately her Honda Odyssey nose dived enough & hit my hitch receiver with rubber plug square in the middle of her mini van.
Her front plate & mount were pretty messed up & you could see many paint cracks in the bumper where it flexed. It did not even seem to disturb any of the dirt on my MMH! Glad it was not a real hard hit and only contacted the hitch receiver.
I have the Valley brand class III hitch instead of the Draw-Tite or Hidden Hitch that sticks out maybe an inch beyond the rear bumper. It sticking out des not bother me & I have never hit it with my leg. If that was not back there, this would be a very different story with me needing to get the rear bumper fascia repaired / replaced.
I did get info but I don’t think I will need to file any claims thankfully. Hopefully this was my 1 hit & will now be smooth sailing!
2008 Escape Hybrid Owner
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 280
From: San Diego, California, USA
Re: Rear ended or Glad I installed a trailer hitch!
After looking under the front and rear of my 08 FEHm I am sure we should all have some sort of cross member (like a hitch) across the front and rear of the frame. There is really nothing there so it will all crumple in a wreck!
Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 19
From: San Diego
Re: Rear ended or Glad I installed a trailer hitch!
Remember, that is the plan. Those are called crumple zones. We sacrifice metal to transmit less energy (shock) to the occupants. More damage to the vehicle, less to the passengers. Cars seem to be less expensive to repair and replace than people.
2008 Escape Hybrid Owner
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 280
From: San Diego, California, USA
Re: Rear ended or Glad I installed a trailer hitch!
Exactly!
Ridiculously Active Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,197
From: Lehigh Valley, PA
Re: Rear ended or Glad I installed a trailer hitch!
Yes, when the 5-mph-bumper is hit at, say, 6 mph, it is very expensive to replace. I remember years ago the insurance industry later regretting getting them mandated. Over all, it increased their repair bills.
2008 Escape Hybrid Owner
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 280
From: San Diego, California, USA
Re: Rear ended or Glad I installed a trailer hitch!
Maybe the Very expensive to replace is by design!
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