Hitch receiver on the GX550

[TFlyfisher]

Where can I find this!?

LC version doesn’t fit the GX (I tried)

 

[DJ’s Sled]

I realized that the Gx is quite high up so I was looking into hitch steps. Not sure if you guys recommend those but I was also thinking of something that would double duty as a better “cover”. Amazon.com

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I ordered one of these to see if it would look any better and to be more functional. I have my doubts but I’ll try it out.

Anyone else come up with a good bumper cover idea?

Ilumo,
Did you keep this step / cover? If so can you post a picture? TIA.

 

[ilumo]

Ilumo,
Did you keep this step / cover? If so can you post a picture? TIA.

Yup. I did. It’s pretty practical as a step and a seat. I’m going to keep it on until theres a proper replacement cover. Looks like this.

 

[DJ’s Sled]

Thank you! It looks way better than the OE cover ‘bump’ to me. It’s obviously functional at first glance..like it belongs there. I realize the cost is relatively high but it’s apparently very well built. I may purchase some color of reflective sticker material to put on it..maybe. Your GX looks great BTW! Thanks again.
DJ

 

[ilumo]

Thank you! It looks way better than the OE cover ‘bump’ to me. It’s obviously functional at first glance..like it belongs there. I realize the cost is relatively high but it’s apparently very well built. I may purchase some color of reflective sticker material to put on it..maybe. Your GX looks great BTW! Thanks again.
DJ

One thing to note is that you WILL need a hitch tightener if you decide to get this unit or it will flop around. I tested a bunch of different tighteners and none of them were except for this one.

Amazon.com

It’s been great so far. Like I said, super practical and doesn’t look too bad. Especially from the rear view. From the side, it sticks out an inch , but again for the practicality especially for the wifey trying to grab stuff from deeper in the trunk, it’s helpful.

 

[PKTGX]

Hi, do you have a side view of this CARR hitch step. It’s a cool idea and can be used for protection. I just want to see how it looks like from a side profile. I know you said it sticks out an inch. Thanks.

 

[ilumo]

Hi, do you have a side view of this CARR hitch step. It’s a cool idea and can be used for protection. I just want to see how it looks like from a side profile. I know you said it sticks out an inch. Thanks.

I’ll try to find some later but here’s one from the side with the step extended. Family was sitting in the trunk and having lunch in the parking lot at the beach.

 

[PKTGX]

I’ll try to find some later but here’s one from the side with the step extended. Family was sitting in the trunk and having lunch in the parking lot at the beach.

Nice thanks. I see some of its profile. Are those tires any noisier than the OEM Dunlop? I was thinking of maybe going for the Defender LTX (275/55R22) but I do like the looks of the AT tires like yours.

 

[ilumo]

Nice thanks. I see some of its profile. Are those tires any noisier than the OEM Dunlop? I was thinking of maybe going for the Defender LTX (275/55R22) but I do like the looks of the AT tires like yours.

Yes they are noisier. But also more capable in the snow and rain. It’s a light hum when you are going over 65 mph. For me it’s worth the trade off in looks and performance.

 

[nartmot]

If the hitch cover seems like an afterthought, it probably is. I bet they designed this truck for the Asian markets and then thought "oh, we need to add a hitch for the Yanks and Aussies." The result is this hideous abomination that is annoying to install/remove.

I noticed that TYTOP makes a "skid plate" that replaces it: 2024-Current Lexus GX550 Rear Hitch Skid Cover — NYTOP | Not Your Typical Original Parts

Description does not mention how easy it is to install or remove, and they missed a solid opportunity to add some kind of recovery point to it.

 

[TFlyfisher]

If the hitch cover seems like an afterthought, it probably is. I bet they designed this truck for the Asian markets and then thought "oh, we need to add a hitch for the Yanks and Aussies." The result is this hideous abomination that is annoying to install/remove.

I noticed that TYTOP makes a "skid plate" that replaces it: 2024-Current Lexus GX550 Rear Hitch Skid Cover — NYTOP | Not Your Typical Original Parts

Description does not mention how easy it is to install or remove, and they missed a solid opportunity to add some kind of recovery point to it.

I can’t decide if it looks better than the plastic OEM one or not. Hopefully it’s easier to use for $350!

 

[ilumo]

I can’t decide if it looks better than the plastic OEM one or not. Hopefully it’s easier to use for $350!

Yea. For me if I were to get a “cover”, it needs to be flush.

 

[Bluegill]

Why would you want to cover up the hitch receiver? Is that some kind of quick-release flat metal cover, or does it bolt on?

 

[nartmot]

Why would you want to cover up the hitch receiver? Is that some kind of quick-release flat metal cover, or does it bolt on?

Hey there @Bluegill ! Many people consider the stock cover an eyesore and cumbersome to install/remove for towing; it requires plastic clips that need to be undone plus there is a second, snap in cover that prevents access to the hitch pin and chain hooks. Some might decide to just leave both covers off but it looks even worse.

I don't know much about that NYTOP "skid plate" but I would guess its even more difficult to install/remove, doesn't look much better, and doesn't even provide a recovery point. I could live with 1 or 2 of those things, but not all 3 so its a hard pass for me.

 

[Bluegill]

I just leave the cover off, it looks ridiculous with it installed. Then you have to pop loose one side of the plastic surrounding piece to install a pin. Yes, it's a horrible design but it's not really a big deal. Cars nowadays are designed by committee and they are full of horrible design.

 

[Garauld]

You can easily pop the whole piece off for better access.

 

[Bluegill]

Yes, I just pop one side forward and slide the pin in behind, then snap it back into place

 

[killy]

I like that NYTOP tried something.

But I think the fact that it’s not much better alludes to how annoying designing a cover is.

I appreciate the cover being there just to mitigate salt spray and corrosion where I live which is an eyesore on most hitch receivers.

 

[RickBullotta]

Besides the cover, I don't really like the overall design of the receiver - it's effectively wider than most 2" hitches and as a result none of the locking hitch pins I have will work. Time to get out the grinder....

 

[Garauld]

I thought hitch pins were standard at 5/8" OD? Why does yours not work?