Rear Bumpers?

[petrel]

I was reading a custom build thread where the gentleman had spec'd out a nice rear bumper for his TC. That rekindled an old question of mine. Why aren't the factory TCs equipped with rear bumpers? It seems that one as imposing as the front would be in order to dress up/protect the back end.

[samcrimm]

I was at the renagade factory before i bought mine and a unit had been hit in the rear end and never really a lot damage. the hitch is massive under there and i think a bumper would be in the way of the hitch and the trailer these rig can pull.

Sam

[38Chevy454]

I agree, it would be a bad day for whoever hit the hitch on mine. It sticks out about 1 foot from the rear with the receiver adapter, and being 30K or 40K rated hitch, it will not move.

A rear bumper could also limit the overhang clearance.

[petrel]

I agree that the entire hitch/end of frame assembly is quite robust. However, I was just thinking it would be nice to have that sort of protection all the way out to the corners.

Perhaps an aftermarket "Texas style" rectangular bumper that would connect via the hitch rails would work. The rectangular bumper with redundant signal and marker lights could be removed when setting up for towing. Although I fear that lifting it may be a three man job.

[38Chevy454]

Originally Posted by petrel

I agree that the entire hitch/end of frame assembly is quite robust. However, I was just thinking it would be nice to have that sort of protection all the way out to the corners.

Perhaps an aftermarket "Texas style" rectangular bumper that would connect via the hitch rails would work. The rectangular bumper with redundant signal and marker lights could be removed when setting up for towing. Although I fear that lifting it may be a three man job.

I am almost always towing something, so for me the bumper would be used only when parked at my house. It is enough hassle to swap between the ball hitch or the towbar.

[petrel]

I may find the same thing to be true, once I have more opportunity to use my TC.

[solo318]

As I spend a lot of time at the track, I see lots of T/C guys with cracked rear caps, due to turning too sharply. I am planning on the bumper being sacrificial in that it will hit the trailer tongue before the trailer hits the back of the truck. I have brought several customers rigs back to the shop to fix damage caused by their own trailers. This is also why I am not planning on a ladder.

[petrel]

Please post a photo when you build one.

[bushpilot]

Originally Posted by solo318

As I spend a lot of time at the track, I see lots of T/C guys with cracked rear caps, due to turning too sharply. I am planning on the bumper being sacrificial in that it will hit the trailer tongue before the trailer hits the back of the truck. I have brought several customers rigs back to the shop to fix damage caused by their own trailers. This is also why I am not planning on a ladder.

Our coach was never built w/ a ladder - further proof that everyone of these things (even when purchased from a mfg) are "custom" one-off.

I contacted Haulmark, who directed me to their dealer network....and i was receiving quotes of 500+ (not including installation).

I bought a 15.5 foot Xtend+Climb ladder, that collapses to 34 inches and stores nicely in our basement storage bin.

Ive used it a few times - air conditioning repair, vent upgrades, maintenance and even at races for observation "deck" access.

I can't say I've ever thought i really missed having a permanently attached ladder (don't have one to miss). The portable Xtend+Climb was about 200 bucks and it consumes very little storage space.

here's some pictures of a friends 8 footer next to our 15.5 footer -

[Bob86ZZ4]

Mine has a ladder on the back but I'm very reluctant to climb up it. I figure my fat lard will rip it off the back. The best thing about my ladder is that I mounted my flag pole to it. I have one of those fiberglass extendable poles that slips into this handy mount on the ladder. I can't find a picture showing the mount but here's one with it up:



Lemme know if you can't see it. I'm still learning all this photo junk.

[Bob86ZZ4]

Here's the place I got mine at: RV Flagpole Guy , fiberglass telescoping flagpoles, mounts, lights – rvflagpoleguy

[bushpilot]

I would agree with you Bob - i have wished for a ladder, just to have a place to put my flag, instead i have to use a mount under the tire.

[Bob86ZZ4]

Looking good too Don. I have a led spotlight mounted on a clip and I plug it into the trailer wire plug on the back of the coach. Gotta keep it lit at night. I usually take the flag down when we turn in though because you never know if a storm is going to come up during the night.

[samcrimm]

Attachment 2258I finally got a picture of my flag pole, i use the mirror on my truck and tie wraps. i left my tennessee flag at home....

Sam