Wow, not fun!
re: recovery points on Aluminess bumpers both front and rear:
One has to seriously consider the bumpers are attached to the flanges that held the attachments for the stock bumpers. Those flanges are just held on to the frame ends by some not so beefy welds since the flanges were not designed for being pulled on, rather they were designed for being pushed against. These welds are the weakest point in pulling on the Aluminess bumper.
At the very least additional welding should be done to create a more positive connection of the mounting flange to the frame.
By far, the strongest recovery points on our rigs are going to be the rear tow hitch and a front mounted hitch attached to the frame.
The front bumper shackle mounts would be "useful" provided the mounting flanges have been solidly reinforced in their attachment to the ends of the frame C Channel.
The rear bumper typically does not have the shackle mounts. Wrapping a strap around the middle of the bumper would be the area (the boxed in part) I would use if the hitch was not accessible. And, again, the amount of force I would exert on this would be with strong consideration to the reinforcement of the mounting flange connection to the frame ends.
Hope that helps! Sounds like you were able get out without any damage. Love our extended van except in the situations like you encountered.
Did you happen to see the flex in your frame to body?
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Ray
Beastie 3: 2002 7.3 EB Cargo: Agile TTB, CCV High Top, Custom Walk Through, Lots of stuff added. www.BlingMyRig.com
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