My SSR: SSR 04 – PEDIGREE SSR Chrome Wheels w/ 1st Aux. Gauge Package released for Production. #9684
It finally happened to me
Someone ran into the back end of me while I was stopped at a red light and I am not in a good mood nor a very happy camper.
So now I am in need of some good advise. Besides trying to locate a new rear fascia I am thinking of buying a trailer hitch that would help protect my rear end. However there are a few different designs out there. I want one that would stick straight out where I think it work the best for me.
I think freezer has the one that I like best... perhaps someone can tell me which one they think might be the best one for my needs (for protection purposes only). Are there any color choices like a lighter grey vs let say a darker grey or black?
999180 Trailer Hitch Ball Mount 1-1/4" Rise, 4-3/8" Drop
12495777 Trailer Hitch Ball Mount 2" Rise, 3-1/4" Drop
12495776 Trailer Hitch Ball Mount 3/4" Rise, 2" Drop*
12495778 Trailer Hitch Ball Mount 4" Rise, 5-1/4'' Drop
12496641 Trailer Hitch Receiver Cover Fits 2'' Receiver (GM Logo)
*The one I am thinking of getting is in the first photo below
My SSR: 04 Smoken Asphalt, HP tuned, FlowMasters, TransGo Shift kit, 411 Gears, Mikes Aux Fan
Mark, Take a look under spare tires and look for the hitch mod that OP did. I did the same thing with the OEM hitch. This will give you a receiver bolted to the OEM hitch. Then you can install one of the box step bumpers, or the hitch like you have listed. I also mounted a spare tire carrier on the receiver like OP did. This should stop someone.
I also saw in the photo gallery where someone did nurf bars on there SS/R.
Anyway, Sorry to hear about the accident, but it is only a matter of time before we all end up joining that club.
My SSR: Silver on Black Final Prod 6 speed #23387, Signature #23, Signature #12
Marc,
With the rear fascia off, it's pretty straightforward to remove the entire assembly, and replace it with the assembly from a Trailblazer, so you can mount a stock hitch.
The only downside - it will show below the rear valence, or it would need to be modified to come through the license plate area The local constabulary may not be pleased with the rear plate missing or not showing.
If you are concerned mostly about rear end protection, I think I'd stay with the stock hitch. It's totally hidden when not in use, and would at least offer a bit of protection from rear impact.
__________________
Ray
No longer One of the "Blues Brothers"
Final Production Silver on Black/chrome/6-speed #23387
Signature #23
Signature #12 - The Gibson Guitar truck
My SSR: '03 Smokin' Asphalt, Vin 1656 B-day 11/13/03, Slightly modified via bad influence hdflstf & TommyB
Are you ok?
Oh, I am so sorry Marc. I hate it when that kind of stuff happens! I hope you are ok. Curious... The hitch idea sound interesting... do you think it would prevent damage to the rear?
I'm no body man but I would be concerned that in the event of a rear collision the hitch assembly would transfer the crash energy through the frame instead of the sheet metal dissapating the blow as designed. The frame damage might be harder to repair not to mention the increased jolt your body would take. Just my two cents.
My SSR: 2006 Blue over Primer'd Bondo 6spd #23424 slapped together 2/22/06
Hi Marc, I'm sorry to hear about your getting hit. But, you are thinking RIGHT up my alley, and your reasoning is very well thought-out, as I have already done the leg work on this.
I've been rear ended in 4 out of 7 cars. What COMPLETELY SAVED every one of my cars was my TRAILER HITCH. I always keep the draw-bar in my hitches; ever since I was young, growing up camping, I just like the way they looked. Back in 1991 was the first time I noticed the advantage-I was rear ended by a Ford Ranger. Hitch completely split his bumper in half; minimum damage to my bumper supports. But, I was hit at a pretty high speed. Score 1 for trailer hitch. Next, I was in the middle of 5 cars when someone in front of me was coming to a stop, and the people behind me weren't. This was on my Neon. I was hit once, then again from behind. The front of my car crumpled (good old Mopar crumple zones) and the back looked UNTOUCHED. The only downside to this was the insurance man; after the fact, they nearly insisted that I wasn't hit in the rear. Next accident I was tapped by an 18 wheeler on Interstate 10 in New Orleans...not once, but twice...and at a low rate of speed (about 5-10mph). After the 2nd tap in 2 minutes time, I finally pulled over in the median. The driver said, "Man, I didn't even see you!" Not a mark on the back of the car, but a little indentation in the front of the truck. The last time I was in my VW Beetle. I had just gotten the hitch installed, and was at a red light when some little kid in his "new Cavalier" SLAMMED into me. He said he was "learning how to adjust the sunroof". When I got out of my car, after the impact, I just KNEW the rear of my car was going to be completely pummelled. When I got out, I was absolutely shocked to see my drawbar (which actually was the drawbar for my Trans Am so it stuck out an extra couple inches) penetrated completely through the front of the Cavalier through the guy's radiator. I had a tiny imprint in my clearcoat, but that's IT. NO damage. And, this was a HARD hit. The cop, being a "fine" Louisiana State Trooper, even refused to give the kid a ticket, and got argumentative with me, stating, "You don't even have any damage, look at his car." That's how things are done down the bayou.
I've not been hit yet in my Trans Am, Caravan, or SSR. But you can be damn sure I have a hitch on every one of them.
So, I'm speaking from a boatload of experience; what you're wanting to do has been tried, tested, and true on my part.
Go with a polished stainless steel drawbar; Bully makes a nice one in a 2" or 3" drop (or an accompanying rise). They are amazing quality, you can get them at Wal-Mart, they don't rust, and any dings from when people slam into you can be buffed out. I'm sold on them. Other companies make stainless as well if you need a specific rise or drop...but some aren't polished or fancy looking. Top it off with a QMC stainless hitch ball, which looks like a piece of automotive jewelry. Made in the USA, you won't even want to scratch it with a hitch. You can check their website, and tell them Jeff Koon sent you; you'll probably get a deal (they even used some of my remarks on their home page).
Hope I could be of some help, because what you want to do has saved the rear of my cars every time.
My SSR: # 20476 05 Asphalt, Running Boards, Windscreen, Chrome wheels, airraid drop in and flowmaster
same think happened to me. Lady hit me squarely with a suburban. Pushed in the tailgate, bent the exhaust tips by about 2 inches. The onlything that save me was her bumper hit the hitch assembly through my facia. it also broke the lenses in the license plate frame. I was tempted to do the whole hitch thing. if you put on the square reciever hitch you can get an insert that is like a chrome or black nurf bar, like a mini nurf running board It might look pretty good Pick ups use them around here in Texas.
My SSR: yellow 2004,mikes auz fan and lonnie rockets lites#43
it happened
hey mark, dont forget to hit the guys insurance with a decreased value of your ssr amount since he hit you the insurance company will give you money for the value loss of your ssr since now that its been hit they say its not as worth as much now
My SSR: Black, '03, 1sb, #1256, License Plate was WOW FCTR
Quote:
Originally Posted by abadssr
hey mark, dont forget to hit the guys insurance with a decreased value of your ssr amount since he hit you the insurance company will give you money for the value loss of your ssr since now that its been hit they say its not as worth as much now
Location: Maggie Valley, NC (Smoky Mtns.)/On The Road For The Winter
Posts: 9,746
My SSR: 2004 Redline Red,TAZMOBILE (deceased), 2005 Redline Red
Quote:
Originally Posted by abadssr
hey mark, dont forget to hit the guys insurance with a decreased value of your ssr amount since he hit you the insurance company will give you money for the value loss of your ssr since now that its been hit they say its not as worth as much now
We got this but believe me they will not tell you about it. You will have to ask for it.
My SSR: 2004 Yellow/ purple, sometimes gold #3521 RATICL 2
Yikes
Are you going to have it fixed in time for WDC? Boy timing is everything. You take care to make sure everything is right before you leave and Murphy jump out a gets you. If you need any advice dealing with the insurance company PM me.
Doug E
My SSR: 04 Ricochet, ADDCO, Eibach, Joe’s Tune, Bernie’s Kit,Air Dam, Aux Fan & Lower Radiator Supt
Marc,
Glad to hear you're OK. Let's hope you don't develope any shoulder/nick/head pains after the first 24 hrs.
As for trailer hitch, you might want to check into what Mike Powell has done. Here the post: another hitch solution
- Jeff
Sorry to hear about your damage. Seems like no matter how careful you drive, there's always someone who sees a big bullseye on your bumper. Hope repairs go well and glad you're ok.
Like all the others, let me offer my condolences........sorry to hear the news.
I don't deny that the protruding hitch will no doubt minimize damage in a "mild" rear end hit, but I too would be worried about additional potential rear end internal frame torque/twisting in a more severe rear end impact. I agree with one of the other posts that just leaving the stock hitch insert on should accomplish what you want, in all but severe cases. In a more severe rear end hit, I would suspect that the stock hitch will itself bend or maybe even break off, minimizing further internal damage. But obviously, if the rear end collision is severe enough, all this talk about the tow hitch providing protection is a mute point.
I guess you'll unfortunately find out first hand about the availability (or lack there of) GM replacement parts.
It finally happened to me
and I am not in a good mood nor a very happy camper. 
HAPPY THANKSGIVING
