Rear Bumper questions for a class 8.

[BravestDog]

From some of the pictures I've seen, it appears that some of the class 8 motorhomes do not have a strong, bullet proof rear bumper but rather a fiberglass reap cap piece and the rear ladder looks vulnerable to being smashed if you back into something solid.

Does anyone have a rig with a solid rear bumper that could take a bump without being smashed and want to share any photos/links to?

I'm not concerned about beauty, I'm concerned about what happens if I back into something solid or hit from the rear?

Thanks.

[madbrit]

We built a new frame for the back of our truck which incorporates the rear storage bays and what was the "run-under bar". We added a 4x4 steel box across the chassis width at the bottom and welded the receiver hitch to this. Then we triangulated it back under the chassis the keep it all together.

To put a bumper bar that will take a bashing, one would have to do some major research as if it is too solid any impact will be transfered into the lower frameworks.

If I install one, it will probably be a reasonably soft one from a truck or bus which fits and will let me feel if I bump something but give if necessary and not cause actual frame damage.

Peter.

[vapoppa]

bravest dog-- mase sanford, go to photos-- warpath's photos--page 26-- top left corner-- that's my rig- iused 1/4 " wall 3" square tubing-- we had enough reinforcing added to the back that if someone hits the bumper it'll probably mess up the alunimun panels on the back but there should not be any structural damag --- unless its another road tractor or something massive- hope this helps --- mase

[Warpath]

No bumper required when you have a back-up camera

I think Peter is right, you hit anything with these and what ever you have back there is going to be pretty messed up. With a fiberglass rear cap, pop the old one off and pop the new one on.

Sounds good anyway

Bill