Off-Road bumpers-Why do I need them?
Off-road bumpers are designed to offer some protection to your vehicle. Most people think that off-road bumpers are designed to prevent or reduce injury severity in a crash to occupants. But the purpose of a bumper is to prevent physical damage to the front and rear of vehicles in low-speed crashes.Off-road bumpers come in various designs. For, example if your car is a jeep used for off-roading, not just any bumper will do. Before shopping that road bumper make sure you understand that you are making the right investment.
What makes an off-road bumper better?
What are the benefits of an off-road bumper?
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If you have been off-roading for a while, then you possibly know that some of the stock equipment on your truck or jeep is not enough on the trail.And if this is the case you can start upgrading your vehicle by adding bigger and better tires or protective gear.Besides these modifications, you might want to add off-road bumpers to your list as well. Off-road bumpers are a protective item designed to protect your vehicle in the roughest conditions and in ways that your stock back or front bumpers simply cannot handle.The initial chrome bumper right from the factory may look just fine, but if you are on the trail with your off-road truck or jeep climbing a hilly road, then it might disappoint you.So why are off-road bumpers essential for your off-road truck or jeep? Below are ways bumpers protect your ride, making you have fun without worry.
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- Strong, durable construction – The basic reason why you need custom bumpers on your off-road vehicle is to be able to withstand a serious impact such as hitting a tree on the trail. The steel truck bumpers are made of thick, durable steel which makes them tough and long lasting than any stock bumpers. The bumpers are not made of plastic or any other breakable material, making them secure to withstand hard knocks while protecting the rear and front of your truck or jeep. Unlike stock components which are designed for little more than 10 MPH impacts making then get damaged on impact, custom steel bumpers are specially designed for the aggressiveness of off-roading and so cannot easily crumble on impact.
- Designed for utility – The road off bumpers are not only good in protecting your vehicle against damage but also act as strong anchor points for mounting D-ring shackles and doing snatch recoveries.The steel bumpers are available in various designs, widths, and sizes to fit different vehicles and serve various activities. Some bumpers are strong enough to push or pull things, you may install push or pull bars for this purpose. In addition, other designs include steps to enable you to reach the hood of your vehicle.Many off-road bumpers have headlight and grille brush covers to protect. While some act as a housing for a winch.
- More Ground Clearance – Steel bumper can give your vehicle a more ground and wheel clearance. Bumpers are designed to reduce bulk in front of the vehicle, where stock bumper might get in the way. Thus allowing better departure angles. This detail and shorter designs which protect the front of your vehicle without interfering with the over-sized tires and wheels give you better capabilities when rocking and hill climbing. The reduction in interference makes the rocking and hill climbing safer.However, it is necessary to invest in quality bumpers for better services.
- Addition of accessories – Apart from protecting your vehicle and themselves, truck bumpers, unlike stock bumpers, allow you to install other accessories on your vehicle.Truck bumpers allow you to install bigger tires and taller suspension without any interference issues.You can comfortably fit your vehicle with recovery winches, essential gear, tow hooks, and off-road lights.
- Better look – Most people do not invest in truck bumpers to improve the look of their truck or jeep. However, the aftermath of installing a power coated bumper is a polished fine looking vehicle. Considering the amount of protection and durability provided by the truck bumper that is just beautiful and you can enjoy your ride with no worry.
What is a winch bumper?
Does my off bumper need a winch?
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A common question that owners of off-road vehicles ask is whether or not their off bumper need a winch. While not every off-road vehicle requires a winch on its bumper, most enthusiasts recommend it. A winch can be heavy, costly and a dangerous tool if you do not know how to use it. Even then off-road vehicle owners may never use a winch but the time they do it will pay off the investment.
What does a winch bumper do?
A winch bumper is an important handy tool that any truck or Jeep owner may want to consider before heading to the trails.In case of a dangerous situation, you can use a winch to pull the vehicle or another vehicle out of the situation. Winches are designed especially with electrical powers from a car battery and function by winding a heavy duty cable around a spool to pull whatever is tethered to the cable.The winches are available on front bumpers and are classified as off-road recovery gear.
Why is a winch bumper important for my jeep or truck?
As much as you enjoy off-roading, it can get unpredictable or even dangerous.Imagine you are navigating hilly or muddy trails, any driver will be wondering if they might get stuck.Considering the utility power that the winch comes with, it is definitely a piece of tool you should include in your vehicle.A strong winch is especially crucial if you are off-loading alone, and in a place where you can not get help quickly if you need it.Winches are multi-purpose. You can use a winch to pull a vehicle that is stuck in the mud, extract vehicles stuck on rocky terrain, or even pull a vehicle from wet sand.In any case, a winch is an important recovery tool, which can be used to pull a vehicle back on the trail when pulling power is required.
Winch safety
A winch can be dangerous especially if you do not know how to use it.In any case, you are using a heavy tool with a tiny winch line.It is thus important to follow the instructions in the manuals. Below are guidelines on how to use a winch.
- Load only during an operation and stand clear of the winch
- When handling winch line or synthetic line use leather gloves
- Keep off your hands, fingers, and hair from winch drum and fairlead
- Always use a damper on the center of the winch cable
- Make sure you read the safety guidelines that come with your winch and learn more about winch safety before using a winch.
The way to stay safe is to always get proper training and practice the winching techniques. Some basic skills can only be successfully acquired if you practice.
Who should get a winch?
You should consider getting a winch if:
- Frequently go wheeling, mudding or rock crawling
- You can utilize a winch on your job site or farm
- Adventure alone by vehicle, or drive to a remote place where you can hardly get help if you need any
You possibly do not need a winch if you:
- Your offloading vehicle is already at or over the GVWR
- You drive on established routes and mostly you are within a cell phone reception
- Travel with other vehicles in the backcountry
- If you have a tight adventure mobile budget
Most people do not often use a winch, but if you ever need one, you will be very happy to have such a great tool at your disposal.
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What is a stinger bar?
Why add a stinger bar to your off-road truck or jeep bumper?
A truck or jeep can be outfitted with various accessories and bumpers that can make off-roading safer and prevent the vehicle from any damage in case of a crash.One such accessory is a stinger bumper which is a special kind of bumper designed to prevent your vehicle from tipping forward when traversing steep descents.
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Reasons why stinger would be a good choice for your bumpy trail
- Build – A stinger bar is typically a long metal tube with a sharp-angled triangular wedge. A stinger is best known for this shape. It may also have additional beams to reinforce the tubes.
- Compatible -Most stinger bars are designed in such a way they are winch-ready. As such the truck or Jeep owner will not incur extra cost for a winch mount plate.Thus in case you get stuck in a rut, the stinger will give you extra leverage.
- Protection – The stinger bar bumper provides great protection for your vehicle accessories in case of a crush since it sticks out beyond your jeep’s or truck’s grill.The best part about a stinger bar is that it besides protecting your vehicle, it also protects you against potentially serious injuries by preventing the roll altogether.
- Variety – Stinger bars are designed in different widths, lengths, heights, and even different angles. Some stinger bars have round curve at the tip, a balanced out tip with a straight bar for joining two tubes welded together.
- Utility – The stinger bar can also function as a ramp when you are using your vehicle to climb over large obstacles.Just push the stinger bar against the obstacle, the tires pivot upwards, gain enough traction and lifting the weight of the jeep or truck upwards.
- Upgrade your vehicle – Besides the protection power of you and your vehicle from any damage in case of crush, stinger bar can improve the look of your vehicle. Stringer bar can transform your vehicle into a powerful aggressive machine.The stinger bar simply assures you of extra protection on those extremely dangerous rides.
- Installation – Stinger bars are welded to the vehicle bumper in such a way that, the stinger sticks out at an arm’s length beyond your vehicle front end.This feature makes stinger bumper very important for maneuvering a very steep descent.
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What qualities should I consider when buying a rear-off-road bumper?
How to choose an rear-off-road bumper for your truck or jeep
If you want to upgrade your truck or jeep accessory by installing off-road bumpers there is a lot of selection to choose from.Off-road bumpers come in various designs to protect your vehicle from all type of crushing circumstances.
Good rear-off-road bumpers important features to consider
- Heavy duty construction – Custom bumpers are typically designed from three types of steel metal, tough enough to withstand a crash.They mostly come in aluminum, stainless, and carbon steel.All these materials offer a different level of strength and durability-carbon steel offers the strongest. Note that strong off-road bumpers are carefully bent and welded together thus even the joins are strong.
- Corrosion-resistant finish – Bumpers generally get wet and dirty regularly if you off-road, it does not matter how careful you are.You will be washing your truck or jeep most of the time.The best rear and front custom off-road bumpers are designed in a way they resist corrosion so they last longer.Carbon steel bumpers are usually coated with a high-quality finish to prevent corrosion.
- Proper ground clearance – Well, designed aftermarket off-road bumpers take ground clearance into consideration, riding higher on your vehicle than many stock bumpers do. Off-road bumpers protect your Jeep or car without hanging too low underneath-they make going down hills and driving in rocky places easier.
- Secure attachment – As much as being beneficial these road-off bumpers sound, none of this will apply if it is not attached to your truck the right way. Some aftermarket off-road bumpers bolt onto specific areas of the frame-those that do are as strong as the bolt holding them.However you can not use a bolted bumper for vehicle recovery, it is dangerous. You need to use frame recovery points. Always know the limitations of a bolt installation.