Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 09-18-2017, 06:01 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 752
Sprinter: Winch Usage w/ & w/o Aluminess Bumper

SO, I am length constricted due to driveway length and HOA rules, and have decided to go w/o Aluminess box & tire carrier. I have to decide whether I need Aluminess bumpers (with no boxes, brush guards, etc.) for winch usage.

I am under the impression that both front and rear receiver hitches (which bolt to the unibody as there is no frame) are not really a good choice for mounting a portable winch on the Sprinter as the unibody with receiver hitch can tow, but can't take the pull of winching. Is this accurate? Thoughts? Comments?

If the above is true, that leaves me looking at adding the Aluminess bumpers with winches embedded in them. I understand this is strong enough to recover from mud/sand, but not strong enough to turn the winch into a hoist for semi-vertical rock crawling/climbing.

I have contacted Aluminess and asked how much longer their bumpers alone extend from the body than the OEM bumpers. They don't seem to understand the questions (though I have worded them accurately), or they are too busy to read carefully, and are telling me their front bumper extends 10" more than the OEM bumper and their rear bumper extends 20" more than the OEM bumper. I am sure that is the full length of the front bumper with brush guard and rear bumper with storage box.

Using subtraction, does anyone know how much the Aluminess front bumper extends forward than the OEM bumper does and how much more the rear bumper (without box/carrier) extends back from the body than the OEM bumper does?

Also, thoughts about embedding permanent winches inside the OEM bumpers?

Thanks for the help guys.

TomH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-18-2017, 08:34 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
rallypanam's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: San Francisco/Nevada City
Posts: 3,769
Another option is Agile has a good 'hidden' front winch mount with stock bumper.
rallypanam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-18-2017, 09:41 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
carringb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Corvallis, OR
Posts: 5,300
I don't think you would ever have a problem with a straight-pull. But once you introduce an angle, be it side or up or down, I can see the potential from frame damage. Carry a few blocks/pulley and short endless-chokers, and you'd probably be able to maintain a straight pull.
__________________
2000 E450 dually V10 wagon
carringb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-18-2017, 09:50 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 752
Quote:
Originally Posted by rallypanam View Post
Another option is Agile has a good 'hidden' front winch mount with stock bumper.
THANKS, RPA!!!! I found a pic in their gallery of a winch inset in front bumper that seems to be OEM. I have emailed them requesting more info and asking if they do rear also.

I appreciate this!
TH

http://agileoffroad.com/wp-admin/adm...Bsb3ZlLg%3D%3D
TomH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-18-2017, 09:53 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 752
Quote:
Originally Posted by carringb View Post
I don't think you would ever have a problem with a straight-pull. But once you introduce an angle, be it side or up or down, I can see the potential from frame damage. Carry a few blocks/pulley and short endless-chokers, and you'd probably be able to maintain a straight pull.
I appreciate the advice!!! I'm wondering also about the value of a Pull-Pal.
TomH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-18-2017, 09:59 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Fitz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Vacaville, just east of the San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 1,062
The rear Aluminess bumper extends 7-1/2" horizontally from the bottom of the intersection (at the center, bottom) of the two rear doors.

The front Aluminess bumper extends 5" horizontally from the bottom of the painted front grille (at the center, bottom, just below the star). If you mount a winch in the bumper, add another 3-1/2" for the fairlead. Note that the brush guard does not protrude out horizontally any further than the front bumper.

When I spoke to Aluminess about this (almost two years ago...how time flies!) they didn't have a design for a rear Sprinter bumper with an integrated winch, (but they were willing to do the design for a fee), has this changed or are you thinking of a receiver-mounted winch in the rear position?

Now all you have to do is find a stock Sprinter and compare! Let us know what the difference is.
__________________
“Flint” - 2016 SMB Sprinter 4x4 144" RB 150S w/ PH
KN6BJX
Fitz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-18-2017, 10:35 PM   #7
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Durango
Posts: 80
I have a Agile Off Road OEM bumper winch install. Looks fantastic and works great. It came in handy after getting two Sprinters SMB vans stuck in Baja a few months ago.
__________________
2023 4x4 SMB Sprinter 170, Pop Top
trailsurfer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-18-2017, 11:21 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 752
Quote:
Originally Posted by trailsurfer View Post
I have a Agile Off Road OEM bumper winch install. Looks fantastic and works great. It came in handy after getting two Sprinters SMB vans stuck in Baja a few months ago.
Front, rear, or both? So far, I can't find any evidence of them doing installs in the rear OEM bumper.
TomH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2017, 10:38 PM   #9
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Durango
Posts: 80
Quote:
Originally Posted by TomH View Post
Front, rear, or both? So far, I can't find any evidence of them doing installs in the rear OEM bumper.
Just on the front.
__________________
2023 4x4 SMB Sprinter 170, Pop Top
trailsurfer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2017, 11:38 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 752
Quote:
Originally Posted by trailsurfer View Post
Just on the front.
Thanks....
TomH is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

» Sportsmobile Registry

Sportsmobile

Churley

Babe

Babe
Add your Sportsmobile
» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sportsmobile SIP or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:33 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.