steel vs. aluminum bumpers - Page 3

calebmogul · 12-04-2014, 03:51 PM

I ended up going with a UJOINT front bumper. Hopefully I won't have to test it on any critters, but it does seem really stout up the middle. It has 2.5 inch pipe around the corners. Ultimately the light weight and the cost were the deciding factors for me. FYI - I recently took a new job in Utah. I failed the safety inspection required to register the vehicle in Utah, due to there not being at least 4" of bumper coverage from corner to corner. (plus you need mud flaps for a lifted vehicle) Fortunately I still have the old bumper......and the ability to continue colorado residency. I guess I could always fab some more tubing on the corners, which might not be a bad idea anyway. Thanks for all the feedback!

JohnandMandi · 12-05-2014, 08:57 AM

Looks great, I love the yellow too.

We switched from Reunel to Aluminess. Weight was the primary reason. I think we could have A-teamed into a building with that Reunel on the front.

-John

Pschitt · 12-05-2014, 09:11 AM

I unfortunately hit a deer some weeks ago at probably about 35 mph. I was driving about 60 mph in the dark and made an emergency braking to try to avoid collision. Almost manage to avoid it but he jumb right in front of VivaLaVida at the last second. It made a loud "bang" and he was killed outright. Definitely no trace on the Aluminess bumper, you cannot see anything...

JohnandMandi · 12-05-2014, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pschitt

I unfortunately hit a deer some weeks ago at probably about 35 mph. I was driving about 60 mph in the dark and made an emergency braking to try to avoid collision. Almost manage to avoid it but he jumb right in front of VivaLaVida at the last second. It made a loud "bang" and he was killed outright. Definitely no trace on the Aluminess bumper, you cannot see anything...

Did you make venison sausage?

-John

Pschitt · 12-05-2014, 09:19 AM

No, I didn't. To be honest, I was a little shocked to have killed such a nice animal...

**BroncoHauler** · 12-05-2014, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pschitt

No, I didn't. To be honest, I was a little shocked to have killed such a nice animal...

Unfortunate, but too often people will swerve off the road in order not to hit an animal, and end up in a far greater accident. Glad you and your rig are OK. You may want to check your van frame where the bumper attaches just in case there was some hidden damage.

Many times there are local people/organizations that will harvest large animal roadkill and provide the meat to the needy.

Herb

Pschitt · 12-05-2014, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BroncoHauler

Unfortunate, but too often people will swerve off the road in order not to hit an animal, and end up in a far greater accident. Glad you and your rig are OK. You may want to check your van frame where the bumper attaches just in case there was some hidden damage.

You're right Herb but I definitely prefer to kill a deer than going out of the road...

Of course I checked VivaLaVida carefully, there is really no damage. Just had to adjust a bumper light back, that's all.

Ocsmb · 12-06-2014, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pschitt

I unfortunately hit a deer some weeks ago at probably about 35 mph. I was driving about 60 mph in the dark and made an emergency braking to try to avoid collision. Almost manage to avoid it but he jumb right in front of VivaLaVida at the last second. It made a loud "bang" and he was killed outright. Definitely no trace on the Aluminess bumper, you cannot see anything...

Glad to hear you guys came ahead. Also Good to know that the bumper held up. I'm sure Aluminess would love to hear that story.

Nomadcat · 12-06-2014, 11:53 AM

I love my steel Buckstop. I think it was an early one, if not the prototype. I picked up my van from Quadvan in January '09 and we had to wait a day for it to be driven over a local pass due to snow. The guy from Buckstop brought it in his pickup. I have an Aluminess on the rear and really like that, as well.

I think it's a natural instinct to tense up and flinch when confronted with a deer. I always remind myself to stay on the road. I hit a deer once when my friend and I were in his Trooper in northern Nevada. It just jumped out of seemingly nowhere. We were doing over 70. If he had swerved, we'd both have been in a severe rollover situation. Instead, the Trooper was totaled (he managed to bring it back to life later on) but we were fine. We sat there wondering why the airbags never activated.

BajaSportsmobile · 12-06-2014, 12:01 PM

Deer seem to run into me. I've been hit in the side twice, both denting the truck - no bumper would have helped.