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Old 03-06-2019, 11:11 PM   #1
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What gear do you put inside an Aluminess bumper?

The rear Aluminess bumper has a hatch and some storage space inside the bumper. I would like to use it, but I am not really sure what gear I should put there and how it should be packed; it can get wet (straps and ropes), heavy metal items (chains, recovery hitch) may wear through the aluminum, and they may bounce around unless we make for a tight fit. So, my questions are:

How do you use that space inside the bumper?
How do you protect items from moisture?
Are heavy items wearing through the aluminum a concern?
How do you keep items from bouncing around?


Thanks, Marcel

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Old 03-07-2019, 11:02 AM   #2
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I use my rear space for all recovery gear and just rolled it in a military canvas tarp, keeps it dry and ready to go when I need it. I may toss a Vair compressor in there soon so that will change my storage a bit but I think I make it all fit between here and the rear box.
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Old 03-07-2019, 11:13 AM   #3
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some stuff (shackles, bailing wire, hardware, small ropes) is in plastic Tupperware type containers. Chains can get wet, so I don't care. It all gets pretty beat up but nothing's in there that can get wrecked, and no issues wearing out the aluminum yet.
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Old 03-07-2019, 11:32 AM   #4
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There's quite a bit of room in these bumpers, and just like MSD I fill them with recovery gear. be aware the lid is not watertight so oil everything and wrap them in waxed canvas and/or stuff everything in a durable waterproof bag. I lost a lot of good tools because they were just wrapped in ziplock bags and or Kyack bags that wore through and let water in. I cleaned all road sand out of the recessed lip made a very thin silicone gasket in hopes of making it watertight.

Back bumper

1- IG pneumatic impact wrench
1-set of impact sockets and a key to lug nuts
1-10 ton hydraulic jack
1- snatch block
4- D ring shackles
1-20' chain, not for pulling, this is for building a land anchor with stakes
2- ratchet straps
1- set of work gloves
some extra air chucks and air hose parts

Front bumper
1- Warn 12k winch
1- Winch controller
2- sets of heavy gloves
1- set of light gauge jumper cables
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Old 03-09-2019, 07:35 AM   #5
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Recovery gear.....and chain lube, 2 stroke oil, motor oil, and spare air filters for dirt bikes, as well as spare tubes and tires irons for bikes.....jammed all around the winch in the front bumper.
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Old 03-09-2019, 09:14 AM   #6
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I store stuff that can and will get dirty that I don't want to bring inside clean areas of the van such as recovery gear (tow straps, shackles) and leveling blocks (five or so 12" long scraps of 2x6). I don't have a winch yet, so currently I have tire chains in the front bumper, but I would REALLY like a winch both front and rear (because sometimes you want to pull yourself backwards out of the mess you've gotten into). When that time comes, I'll have to reassess storage of all the other stuff.
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Old 03-24-2019, 01:28 PM   #7
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I have a compressor permanently mounted in the front bumper and it leaves just enough room for my electric cord protected by a heavy duty dry bag. In the rear bumper assorted stuff I don't care about getting wet and dirty, oil and other fluids, grey water drain hose and the like
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Old 03-24-2019, 02:28 PM   #8
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I have not had an Aluminess bumper on a van but I used to be quite in to Airstream campers which have the same storage type rear bumper. I always used to put everything that stayed kind of dirty in there that I needed to access quickly to set up camp without going indoors. Fresh and drain water hoses, electrical cord, wood/plastic leveling blocks, any plumbing/electrical fittings or adapters in a watertight case (small tupperware type), pry bar/cheater bar for lugs or other needs, rolled up door mat, etc.
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Old 03-24-2019, 03:46 PM   #9
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Tire chains some blocks and a hydraulic jack.
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Old 03-24-2019, 05:04 PM   #10
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I picked up some different color dry sacks years ago & put quite a bit in them. I then put them in the bumpers so they don’t slide and wear through. I have ratchet straps, bow shackles, tire repair kit, tie wire etc.
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