From a Diaper to Training pants (1 Viewer)

[YellowLab]

One of the big complaints with the GX is the large diaper on the back. Horrible styling, cheap plastic, a real distraction. So I've upgraded to the NYTOP bumper cover which is made about as bullet proof as I've seen. Heavy gauge steel that attaches to the trailer ball receiver. This thing can take some major abuse. You should remove it before going off road as the bolts attach through the bottom - and if you are stuck at the wrong angle it would make recovery a challenge. (Thank you to our esteemed man of knowledge Mr. Bluegill)

There is a gap between the plate and the bumper (small) but from contacting NYTOP they explained that since the cover is now part of the tow receiver/frame and not the body - they build in the gap so that when the frame flexes it does not hit the rear bumper cover panel. These guys really know what they are doing. I am thinking of filling in the gap a little with some window foam stripping.

It's now more like training pants - but looks so much better aesthetically. If you want one - I've attached a link. Let me know what y'all think.



NYTOP rear cover

 

[jclaffee]

That does look better.

We tow the camper or horse trailer regularly, so the ball/ball mount live permanently in the receiver. I don't give much thought to what it looks like. Thankfully this is something I won't be spending more coin on. But I'm sure the next thing is right around the corner.

 

[incognito.gx]

Its looks exactly the same, just one piece vs two

 

[YellowLab]

Its looks exactly the same, just one piece vs two

It looks cleaner I think

 

[SkyHigh]

I think it looks a little better. $350 better? No, but when the plastic one falls apart, I'd switch to this.

 

[YellowLab]

I think it looks a little better. $350 better? No, but when the plastic one falls apart, I'd switch to this.

Agree. Am impressed with the heft

 

[Bluegill]

Looks much cleaner. Even cleaner than a fresh diaper.

 

[REB27]

You guys are crazy…. but it’s fun to watch what you do (and occasionally it forces me to spend yet more money on my Overtrail)!

 

[JoeRob]

Yeah, you guys are crazy - $350???? to "feel" better.

 

[nopantz]

Why is the cover a heavy steel skid plate? The bumper it attaches to is light plastic and flexes when you insert/remove the diaper. The hitch it is "protecting" is stronger also.

 

[DaveK]

I think it's a slight improvement. Maybe a $100, $125 improvement....$350 is too much IMO.

But...I'll probably get one

 

[YellowLab]

Why is the cover a heavy steel skid plate? The bumper it attaches to is light plastic and flexes when you insert/remove the diaper. The hitch it is "protecting" is stronger also.

It does not attach to the bumper. The cover mounts into the trailer hit receiver and there are two other heavy steel connectors that bolt into the holes where trailer chains would connect into. The body of the GX is mounted to the frame independently of the trailer hitch receiver which is also mounted to the frame. if the cover touched the bumper it would flex and shift in off road and hit/scratch the rear bumper. I am amazed at how totally cheap the bumper and the plastic cover are - Lexus really missed the boat there.

 

[YellowLab]

Yeah, you guys are crazy - $350???? to "feel" better.

I feel better with a bottle of Glendronach 25 year old Single Cask than I do with a bottle of Dewar's....

 

[Mike'sGX]

I think the factory cover looks so much better than this thing.
How things look is subjective, this is only my opinion.
With all the negative comments on the factory cover I often look at my rear bumper and don't think it looks as bad as many think.

 

[CaryGX550]

I think the factory cover looks so much better than this thing.
How things look is subjective, this is only my opinion.
With all the negative comments on the factory cover I often look at my rear bumper and don't think it looks as bad as many think.

I agree the look doesn't bother me. The thing I can't get over is why they didn't use plastic plugs you could take off with your fingers versus a tool. I'm constantly taking the cover off and putting it back on in the summer months.

 

[Garauld]

I just leave mine off.

 

[YellowLab]

I just leave mine off.
View attachment 14237

But then you are pooping on the street....

 

[CaryGX550]

I just leave mine off.
View attachment 14237

The problem remains though. You can't install a ball mount because the outer piece needs to come off to slide the pin in. It looks decent but you still have to pry the plastic pin things out to tow.

 

[Garauld]

You can't install a ball mount because the outer piece needs to come off to slide the pin in.

Not really true. I have a short pin that allows me to pull one side of the black shroud back to give me enough room to insert the pin.

 

[CaryGX550]

Not really true. I have a short pin that allows me to pull one side of the black shroud back to give me enough room to I sert the pin.

Point taken. It depends on the pin, I was referring to the OEM pin. I keep trying to find replacement plastic thumb pull out fasteners but can't locate a match.