I tried the Rhino (http://www.ourexcellentadventures.com/2008/11/01/how-to-cover-your-rearhow-to-cover-your-rear/) step but it just doesn’t work with my hitch and bumper. Looks bad and you are likely to slip on it if you try to use it as it is too close to the bumper step.Not satisfied with one mistake, I ordered a short hitch extender which does not help either. I could leave this attached as kind of a stinger but I have hit my shin or knee on too many trailer hitches so I know better.

Back to the stock bumper/step combination with the hitch underneath. Closer examination shows the bumper is steel framed and the hitch is welded to parts of it. In fact, it looks like an integral part of a hitch/bumper assembly. It gives me a pretty strong rear end but, if I get hit with any force at all, at the minimum I will have to replace the bumper as the plastic will break. I know also that when I get around to moving the spare from under to being mounted just aft of the left rear door, that anyone hitting the spare will cost me the door and glass.

Given all the lights I have in the rear, I am willing to live with that. That’s why we pay insurance premiums – to take the worry away.

I have had hitches on the last 3 vehicles for towing but now, with no bass boat to worry about, the hitch will be used for defense. What do I mean?

Once while crossing the Bay Bridge I was hit from behind. At the time I was in a 2000 Eurovan with a hitch from Draw-Tite. I don’t think I had the ball in it but it did major damage to the guy who hit me and no damage to me. I am convinced without the hitch we would have major damage.

Also in parking lots where the person parking behind you “taps” you so they can get a littler closer.

The hitch on the Sprinter is mounted so it is about 1″ forward of the rear bumper. I really wish it was flush. I have mounted a Rhino hitch step not for a step but for an extra bumper guard. If you have the stock extended bumper the Rhino will not function as a step. You can’t get it far enough from the bumper for it to work.

While the Rhino is a partial solution, it is not the best. For one, it does not fully protect the rear step – you can’t call this step a bumper – I think even a minor hit would result in costly (at least to me) damage. Two, it lowers the ground clearance by a couple of inches. So I will keep looking for a perfect solution.