I've always liked the look of the RST roll pans with the exhaust tips built into them, and the only thing really stopping me from getting it (besides money ) is that my friend had a roll pan on his dakota, and he got rear ended and it practically totalled his truck. I've never been in a wreck with my truck, but there is always the chance it could happen. But basically I'm wondering if a roll pan with a hidden hitch would be about as strong as a full bumper.

Also, does anyone know if you can run a hidden hitch with the RST roll pan? I don't tow anything, so I don't really care if it will tow anything, just wanting something strong back there in case of an accident.

 

Yes you can, the license plate folds down so you can access the hitch. You just have to remove the spare tire to make it all work.

 

Haven't had a spare tire in a few years

Thanks for the quick answer, anyone else know of the strength issue? Anyone gotten rear ended with a hidden hitch/roll pan set up?

 

The hitch is really only going to help the impact in the Center.

 

Honestly I think it matters how hard you get hit. Obviously a bumper is going to give you more protection but if you get rear ended and its hard enough its gonna do major damage no matter whats back there.

 

my hidden hitch is strong as hell... but obviously doesnt have the protection of a full bumper, with or without a hitch, your bed is likely to be trashed in a rear end collision with out a bumper... a hitch will probably just make it a little less severe.

 

I agree with him! I am currently thinking about swapping back to a full bumper. Ill see about getting photo's tomorrow of my rollpan, hidden hitch, and license plate placard.

Dustin

 

The main thing I am wondering about is frame strength. I wouldn't want it to get bent from the lack of having a bumper in the way to protect it. So I'm guessing the hitch wouldn't protect my frame?

 

If you get hit hard enough to bend the frame, you need a new bed and bumper anyway

 

That's the reason I left hidden hitch behind my sir mike's pan. Scared of being rearended.