1. They’re Too Short – They Don’t Protect The Corners…Answer: They were designed to protect your vehicle from the two most frequent vehicle accidents – getting hit while parked and the rear end collision. For rear end collisions, 94% occur on straight roads and most are DIRECT hits. The driver of the “bullet” vehicle does little to avoid the crash. Don’t confuse rear end collisions with backing accidents – backing accidents get the corners because you’re turning.
2. They Will Bend The Frame When Hit… Answer: Auto manufactures don’t want any “global buckling of the frame” at speeds less than 35 mph so you don’t need to worry about bending the frame. The receiver hitch will bend long before the frame.
3. Crash Tested To 5 MPH – That’s Nothing! …Answer: 75% of all rear end collisions are less than 10 mph. Removing 5 mph from the damage equation is HUGE. When you’re hit from the rear the acceleration of the occupants is 2.5 times that of the bullet vehicle so if you’re hit at 10 mph, the occupants will accelerate to 25 mph! You need to remove the crash energy. The least of your worries above 10 mph is the vehicle.
4. I’ll Let The Receiver Hitch Take The Hit…Answer: The receiver hitch is usually behind and below the bumper so you have to hit the bumper and expensive sheet metal before you hit the receiver hitch. And the average pickup truck bumper will cost $1,692 to replace (in 2004 prices) and the average plastic bumper $450 to repair and $900 to replace.
5. I’ll Just Drive Around With My Ball Mount – That’ll Stop Em’…Answer: Your ball mount is only 2” wide, absorbs no energy, is illegal in some states to drive around with when not pulling a trailer, will impale anything you accidentally back into, kills your shins, and transfers all the impact energy directly to the occupants because it doesn’t absorb any energy.
6. The Other Guy Will Pay For The Damage Anyway…Answer: Over 15% of today’s drivers are uninsured and in states like California – it’s over 25%. They won’t pay for anything – and your insurance will go up an average of 40% if a claim is made.
7. The Bumpers Need To Crush For Occupant Protection…Answer: According to the Federal Bumper Standard, bumpers are there to protect the “safety” equipment – lights, tail lights, grill, radiator etc. from minor impact. They are not designed for “occupant protection”. In fact, there are NO federal bumper standards for pickup trucks, SUVs or mini vans.
8. It Won’t Fit In My Garage – It Sticks Out Too Far…Answer: It sticks out less than the typical ball mount. If you can get your vehicle in your garage with your current ball mount then you will not have any trouble with this.
9. I’ll Just Be More Careful When I Drive And Avoid Sudden Stops. Answer: for the rear end collision, 48% of the people who hit you are not decelerating – they’re simply not paying attention. 80% of all accidents are caused by following too close (tailgaters), distracted, inattentive drivers and drivers with poor judgment. And, the most common vehicle accident is getting hit while parked – nothing to do with braking or backing.
10. My Backup Alarm / Camera / Air Bags Will Prevent This… Answer: Backup alarms and cameras won’t help when it comes to the two most frequent vehicle accidents – getting hit while parked and the rear end collision. And a bumper with a backup sensor will cost twice as much to fix as one without that technology. As far as air bags – they are not designed to go off in a rear end collision.