Aluminess sold

[surferdave]

Just heard Aluminess has been acquired by https://www.bestop.com/. Not sure what that really means but guessing the way these things go there will be some restructuring and dropping off products that don't perform well. Prob older model products like the Econoline etc. Just a guess. Hope there cust service stays good.

[Lcavalletti]

I just ordered my rear bumper with tire and box swingout 3 weeks ago. Maybe ill be the last of the production for the econoline.

[REF]

I hope this isn’t the end of the road for their support of Econolines.

https://peprofessional.com/2021/07/k...on-for-bestop/

[bitburger]

FYI Purchased last year and discussed in the forum.

https://www.sportsmobileforum.com/fo...1-a-29504.html

[DosMars]

I saw somewhere else on the forum but can't seem to find my way back to the thread-
Someone posted a link to the source for the rear bumper box. Can someone link me to it?

[Twoxentrix]

Google “Owl Vans”, they have boxes that look identical to Aluminess boxes…and considerably less expensive

[DosMars]

Awesome, thank you!

[jrobe]

From what I can tell, those Owl boxes are mounted on the vans door hinges unlike the Aluminess boxes that are mounted on the rear bumper. That is a big difference in weight capacity and weight distribution. I can cary a lot of weight in my Aluminess boxes including my 2 bike carriers on top of the boxes (with 1 heavy ebike for my wife). There is no way I could do that if they were mounted on the door hinges. Those are two entirely different box designs.

[MauiSportsmobile]

I recently outfitted Chevrolet and Ford Sportsmobiles. With the Fieldvan Ford Classic and Chevrolet Express still in production, hopefully Aluminess will continue production. I really like their products. They're offering a powder coated textured finish on their current bumpers.

[Steve C]

Originally Posted by jrobe

From what I can tell, those Owl boxes are mounted on the vans door hinges unlike the Aluminess boxes that are mounted on the rear bumper. That is a big difference in weight capacity and weight distribution. I can cary a lot of weight in my Aluminess boxes including my 2 bike carriers on top of the boxes (with 1 heavy ebike for my wife). There is no way I could do that if they were mounted on the door hinges. Those are two entirely different box designs.

It looks like the box designs are very similar and the only significant design difference between Aluminess and Owlvan are how the carriers are mounted to the van (not the boxes). Both boxes are stand alone items and can be adapted to mount on whatever. Also, Owlvan has a video of a Sprinter's rear end being lifted off the ground by one of their rear racks attached to the door hinges. Seems pretty robust to me... Note: Other than an Aluminess ladder, I have zero experience with either company.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mi_OaGDg_D8