PSA: LoStar Hitch Skid Doesn’t Fit Factory Hitch

[lazynorse]

This hitch skid plate,
https://a.co/d/dTndMUz

Does not clear those two downward angled ‘wings’ below the receiver part of the factory hitch. Too bad, its a fairly inexpensive armor to reduce bumper damage coming off steps/shelfs or other departure obstacles.

Hoping the hitch itself, if dragged gingerly off a step/shelf would help clear the bumper in a departure scenario. I liked the style of the one linked above as it had a wider bottom plate, less prone (maybe) to teetering and risk of a corner of a bumper getting caught up.

Well, poo.

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[theprinceofsnj]

I think this is what you're talking about. Pic 1 My step pic 2. Sorry about my finger in first pic.

 

[NotBudule2]

Can you cut/grind/beat it so it will clear?

 

[NotBudule2]

I think this is what you're talking about. Pic 1 My step pic 2. Sorry about my finger in first pic.

I think you may have coyote poop on your tailgate, looks like one got a little to close ...

 

[Hethern]

This hitch skid plate,
https://a.co/d/dTndMUz

Does not clear those two downward angled ‘wings’ below the receiver part of the factory hitch. Too bad, its a fairly inexpensive armor to reduce bumper damage coming off steps/shelfs or other departure obstacles.

Hoping the hitch itself, if dragged gingerly off a step/shelf would help clear the bumper in a departure scenario. I liked the style of the one linked above as it had a wider bottom plate, less prone (maybe) to teetering and risk of a corner of a bumper getting caught up.

Well, poo.

If it doesn't need much to clear you could bend the ears up just a tad.

 

[lazynorse]

Can you cut/grind/beat it so it will clear?

If it doesn't need much to clear you could bend the ears up just a tad.

Yeah, I could try those things or return the skid to Amazon. I do not have the tools to bend the skid plate, its thick steel. To bend the hitch ‘chain wings’ or whatever those are called would take a sledge hammer, hammering upwards. Rather not.

From this purchase experience, I’m starting to think that factory hitch attribute - those angled wings - are a little unusual. Many hitches don’t have that so far underneath them.

 

[shovelhd]

From this purchase experience, I’m starting to think that factory hitch attribute - those angled wings - are a little unusual. Many hitches don’t have that so fat underneath them.

The placement, ok, but the size and thickness seem right for a 7500 lb. tow capable hitch. Most Class III's I've had were 5,000 lb.

 

[WhatDaHill]

https://41twentytwo.com/product/hitch-slider/

When searching for a hitch slider I came across the same issue and ended up with this one from 41.22. It’s saved my bumper on many occasions.

 

[Mustang2Ranger]

One of my wings is bent from off roading already, I'm one wing and hammer away from a skid plate!

 

[subquark]

Since Taco bump stops are superior, I wonder if this would fit?

https://www.chaosfab.com/product/2016-2022-Toyota-Tacoma-Rear-Hitch-Skid-Plate-48420

Or this one, I'd consider this but's it's pricey:

https://www.drt-fabrication.com/product/hitch-skid

 

[lazynorse]

Since Taco bump stops are superior, I wonder if this would fit?

https://www.chaosfab.com/product/2016-2022-Toyota-Tacoma-Rear-Hitch-Skid-Plate-48420

Or this one, I'd consider this but's it's pricey:

https://www.drt-fabrication.com/product/hitch-skid

Definitely wouldn’t fit, the bottom wouldn’t clear those down angled wings. You need around a 3” gap from skid bottom to receiver bottom to account for those wings.

 

[lazynorse]

https://41twentytwo.com/product/hitch-slider/

When searching for a hitch slider I came across the same issue and ended up with this one from 41.22. It’s saved my bumper on many occasions.

I looked those little ones, do the actually give you more skid than the hitch itself? Doesn’t really go much further out or down, but I have no first hand knowledge.

 

[LawnMM]

Can you cut/grind/beat it so it will clear?

You can cut it, but it's thick steel, and a lot of work to do, I did it on one but it was a royal PITA

 

[lazynorse]

I returned that LoStar skid and ordered an even cheaper hitch skid.

Doesn’t extend below the hitch, but this should push me out of the way descending a step ledge, rather than my bumper. You can pay $50+ for one that says ‘Curt’ on it, I imagine these come out of the same factory and get different branding, thus different price. If this is sacrificial protection, it’s worth $30! We’ll see.

 

[Chris M]

I returned that LoStar skid and ordered an even cheaper hitch skid.

Doesn’t extend below the hitch, but this should push me out of the way descending a step ledge, rather than my bumper. You can pay $50+ for one that says ‘Curt’ on it, I imagine these come out of the same factory and get different branding, thus different price. If this is sacrificial protection, it’s worth $30! We’ll see.

Looks like that would be inclined to hang on stuff on the underside.

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