Did you ever find out about the hitch working with the OEM rear bumper?
I also have the OEM rear bumper but want the hitch receiver as well. thanks.
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I did call them and talked about the possibility of redesign so as to accommodate the Honda bumper. They indicated that it was considered, but that the hitch would have to stick out so far as to compromise the strength/integrity of the unit. I question that, but it's what they said. Nonetheless, I purchased one and went to work whittling away at it so as to be able to stick the Honda bumper mounting arms through it. I was able to [finally] get it all mounted and spent a few moments standing back admiring my work. I then went to get a hitch bar and mount it in the receiver. THAT's when I found that it's impossible to insert the cross pin into the hitch because the previously-mentioned mounting arms are in the way.
Bottom line: Yes, it could have been designed such that the receiver would have fit with the Honda bumper in place. But, simply cutting access holes in the plate to accommodate the bumper mounting arms is not enough. One would have to cut the square tubing away from the plate and re-weld it about 1" lower in order to get it to work. Also, it would be useful for the receiver tube to extend further by a few inches, thus allowing more turning clearance for the hitch. I could do that, but frankly, I kind of lost interest in the project. I'll likely resurrect it at some point though. For the record, my intention was to use the receiver hitch to mount my TIger Tail towing system, not to actually tow a trailer.
Steve
