Abstract: When a van or a sport utility vehicle having a trailer hitch and a spare tire attached to the outside of its tailgate is backing up, collision with a solid object impacts the tire and crumples the tailgate, causing expensive repairs. The backup protection device of this invention is mounted on the trailer hitch and receives the impact, transmitting it to the vehicular frame and protecting the tailgate. This device comprises a transverse tube, a central tube that is longitudinally disposed and fits over the trailer hitch, and a pair of side tubes that are disposed in parallel to the central tube. The central and side tubes are rigidly and perpendicularly attached to the transverse tube. A backup plate that is vertically disposed in use and a step plate that is horizontally disposed in use may also be attached to the transverse tube.