steel vs. aluminum bumpers

[calebmogul]

Steel VS Aluminum bumbers - Anybody have some experience hitting deer/elk/animals with their aluminum or steel bumper's? The lighter weight of the aluminum bumpers is appealing. However if I'm going to drop 1500-2k on a bumper i'd probably sacrifice some weight for strength. Saving the engine is of utmost priority in my opinion. Perhaps this is already addressed on the forum somewhere but I didn't have any luck.

Any bumber advice/experiences would be greatly appreciated! Aluminum or Steel?

[BajaSportsmobile]

The Aluminess bumpers are very strong - we lift vans from them all the time and they don't even flex. I was impressed. If they are using 6061 T6 Aluminum it is very hard and difficult to bend.

My Reunel Stainless Steal bumper is even stronger - I've tried to bend it, even heating it up red hot, and couldn't get it to bend.

[scatter]

I've hit an Acura and a bear and neither hurt my Aluminess.
(The bear dandruff washed right off)

[calebmogul]

Thats what i wanted to hear thanks.

[Ocsmb]

I believe the origin of alumniness came about to resolve the issue of initial steel bumpers that were wearing away at the front suspension due to excess weight. Could be internet mythology.

[carringb]

I asked John at QuadVan the same thing. Basically, his opinion was an Aluminess won't withstand an animal strike at highway speeds. You want the Buckstop for that. Buckstop also does them in Aluminum. QuadVan installs both, so I don't think he's got any reason to recommend one of the other

[calebmogul]

The buckstop does look like one of the toughest out there. Aluminum construction is an additional $750 though, pushing the cost up around $2500 for the standard model. 190 lb steel vs. 90 lb aluminum. What's that bumper you are running carringb?

[calebmogul]

Oh yeah, now I see you have it listed. The outback looks super beefy..

[Jeffrey]

I run the Aluminess rear with baja box and tire rack and have a custom Road Armor front end. Steel. No large loose animals where I usually go so I passed on the full cage approach.

[carringb]

I haven't hit any deer since I installed the BuckStop, to it must work, right?!?

Actually, the Rigid LED bar is a HUGE deterrent for Deer. They no longer freeze. Instead, they flee. I think it may be so bright it causes pain. Saw a buck scale a vertical cliff along the cal-salmon river just to get away from my lights. Prior to the LED bar, I would have very near misses on just about every long trip I made. = Of course, can't use it when there's other traffic around (it has the same effect on drivers ) so the Buckstop still has a purpose.

It also has a built-in hitch receiver. I've put the motorcycle rack up front when I'm towing, and even had to once when hauling a friend's cruiser because the ramp was too steep to load it on the back.