Abstract: A bumper system includes a rectangular tubular beam made of high strength material. A center section of the beam is deformed downward and rearward so that a hitch tube receiver welded to a bottom of the center section is secured at a lowered and rearward position relative to the vehicle. At the same time, the ends of the beam are maintained in alignment and in a higher/forward position to support fascia and in particular to support step-forming portions of the fascia on ends of the bumper system.