HOW TO… MAKE A BUMPER PROTECTION PLATE

Why are bumper plates necessary? In theory, if we always stick to the rules when hitching and unhitching, there should be no contact between the hitch and the back of the car. However, even after many years of experience, I find it difficult to guarantee that I will not cause small scratches on the vehicle over a period of time, and this could eventually affect its trade-in value. Bespoke plate I decided that I wanted a plate made of thicker metal. I began by drawing out a plan for a plate which would be cut from 3mm stainless steel by my local fabricators. Measuring 380 x 200mm, this plate was designed to carry two seven-pin sockets at the corners. I have since cut down the height, to avoid covering a central fog lamp on a previous car, and with the advent of 13-pin sockets, one of the mounting points has been blanked off, using a small offcut of black Perspex. To be able to fit pre-wired sockets, be sure to have slots wide enough to accommodate the 13-core cable cut into the socket centre hole. A 3mm metal thickness provides a very robust plate that should last forever and if you follow my advice, insist on stainless-steel nuts and bolts for socket mounting, which makes access to the socket so much easier. The only problem is whether the plate interferes with reversing sensors. It’s a good plan to cut a similar-sized example from aluminium, mount it in place, then safely wave something backwards and forwards behind the car, listening to see if the reversing sensors trigger as normal. A well-constructed bumper plate should give you peace of mind that hitching and unhitching will not risk damaging the bodywork of your car. Tony Brown