Removal of Rear Bumper Cover

4738 Views 10 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Rudyjr, Mar 23, 2019

Metroshica

Discussion Starter · Mar 20, 2019

I recently bought a 2017 EX-L to replace my Subaru Crosstrek. While I don't tow much, I used my Crosstrek to tow my small fishing boat (~600 lbs with trailer) to the local pond every weekend and I had plans to do the same with my CR-V. The CR-V I bought has the OEM Class II hitch already installed. I thought it'd be really easy to just buy a Draw-tite hitch, take out the OEM on and install and be good to go. Boy was I wrong. Apparently, the OEM hitch removes the rear bumper reinforcement and acts as a sort of hitch/bumper combo. So now it looks like I need to buy a rear reinforcement and install it before I can install my hitch. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find any guides online for removing the rear bumper cover. Does anyone know of any good tutorials or guides on how to go about doing this? Did anyone remove the OEM hitch before? Any help here would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Save

1 - 11 of 11 Posts

Wiley_11

· #2 · Mar 20, 2019

Wouldn't buying a 1 1/4" ball mount be easier?

https://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Ball_Mounts-hs-Fits_1~1|4_Inch_Hitch.aspx#/

Save

319625

· #3 · Mar 20, 2019

Rear bumper removal is a 6 out of 10 difficulty if you’re handy.

http://www.collegehillshonda.com/instructions/crv/2017/rearsportbumper.pdf

Oem hitch instructions, that ive never done
Seems a little overkill

https://www.collegehillshonda.com/instructions/crv/2017/trailerhitch.pdf

Save

Metroshica

Discussion Starter · #4 · Mar 20, 2019

Wiley_11 said:
Wouldn't buying a 1 1/4" ball mount be easier?

Because I'm a moron. Had that realization late last night and I ordered one on Amazon. Thanks for linking these though , I might need the riser one instead of what I bought.

Save

rocky

· #5 · Mar 20, 2019

Metroshica said:
Wiley_11 said:

Wouldn't buying a 1 1/4" ball mount be easier?

Because I'm a moron. Had that realization late last night and I ordered one on Amazon. Thanks for linking these though , I might need the riser one instead of what I bought.

Click to expand...

Funny how plan B always looks so much better than the original one!

Save

S2k_Dude

· #6 · Mar 21, 2019

I installed the Class II OEM hitch on our CR-V, it wasn't difficult, just time consuming. The reason the extruded aluminum bumper bar is removed when the OEM hitch is installed is to help maintain the crash characteristics if the CR-V is rear ended. Aftermarket hitches that are just bolted on from the underside may cause additional damage to the vehicle in the event of a rear end collision.

Save

Rudyjr

· #7 · Mar 22, 2019

S2k_Dude said:
I installed the Class II OEM hitch on our CR-V, it wasn't difficult, just time consuming. The reason the extruded aluminum bumper bar is removed when the OEM hitch is installed is to help maintain the crash characteristics if the CR-V is rear ended. Aftermarket hitches that are just bolted on from the underside may cause additional damage to the vehicle in the event of a rear end collision.

Take it from an ex bodyman with 40 years experience with a hitch on his CRV any hitch hit hard will result in additional damage!

Save

biker128pedal

· #8 · Mar 23, 2019

You were supposed to be given the aluminum cross bar if you bought new with the OEM hitch. The dealer installs.

Save

S2k_Dude

· #9 · Mar 23, 2019

Rudyjr said:
Take it from an ex bodyman with 40 years experience with a hitch on his CRV any hitch hit hard will result in additional damage!

LOL, mostly to the car that hits me!

Save

dstein

· #10 · Mar 23, 2019

S2k_Dude said:
I installed the Class II OEM hitch on our CR-V, it wasn't difficult, just time consuming. The reason the extruded aluminum bumper bar is removed when the OEM hitch is installed is to help maintain the crash characteristics if the CR-V is rear ended. Aftermarket hitches that are just bolted on from the underside may cause additional damage to the vehicle in the event of a rear end collision.

Yes, the OEM hitch should help reduce whiplash risk. That is the key design point, as I understand. And the reason I had it instilled vs a Kurt. Not sure about the car overall damage.- I don't care about "its" damage, it can be replaced

FWIW, I did buy the Kurt T2 hitch, but never installed it. If you around the Colorado Springs area and want one, PM me.

Save

Rudyjr

· #11 · Mar 23, 2019

dstein said:
Yes, the OEM hitch should help reduce whiplash risk. That is the key design point, as I understand. And the reason I had it instilled vs a Kurt. Not sure about the car overall damage.- I don't care about "its" damage, it can be replaced

FWIW, I did buy the Kurt T2 hitch, but never installed it. If you around the Colorado Springs area and want one, PM me.

Rear bumper reinforcement is meant to absorb impact not transfer it to the floor of the car. The factory hitch will not reduce whiplash risk or increase it but it will transfer substantial force to the rails and trunk floor of the vehicle due to the strength of the steel used. Not here to debate which is safer or better as I have seen substantial damage from both. But without a doubt the undermount hitch will exert more downward force, the oem more direct.

Save

1 - 11 of 11 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month