Hey Bruce ... Not Gordy's trailer, this one belonged to Tom the fishchecker.

Interesting question about the plate ... I've smashed many a plates over the years and wondered the same thing, but it's not too far from the axle ... so it doesn't even come close.

This is the view from behind when the trailer is fully tilted up in resting position



But should it ever hit something ... it's taken care of: the plate is attached to a stainless plate and then attached to the trailer via a stainless hinge that will allow it to swing



They even though of that one :p You get to see the shocks in this one too ...