2016~2023 Hands free lift-gate stopping early?

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2020 CX-9 GT
I've got a 2020 GT and am finding that the hands free gate often (50%?) stops short when opening (and beeps).

I had a hitch installed at the dealer which interferes somewhat already with the hands free detection under the bumper, but not totally sure if the gate is stopping for this reason. I've reset the height on the unit too, but it didn't make a difference.

Anyone run into this?
 
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