ARB Off-Road Bumper
Adding an off-road bumper to your vehicle has multiple benefits from recovery to safety. A properly produced off-road bumper follows the mantra of high and tight. Eliminating material in front of a vehicles wheels increases ground clearance making passing obstacles possible.
In this article we will cover:
Safety
A Properly designed off-road bumper considers safety before anything else. Vehicles factory bumpers have airbag sensors behind the bumper that, if triggered, deploy an airbag at impact. Adding a large steel bumper is only as good as the engineering behind it.
We suggest purchasing an off-road bumper that is airbag approved (compatible with air bag sensors) brands such as ARB does just that. ARB assesses each vehicle’s frontal crush characteristics and replicates the crush rate in the design of each air bag approved bumper and mounting system. Using this method ensures that the vehicle’s crush rate and air bag sensors are not altered.
Winch mounting
Off-road bumpers mount in the factory location connecting both sides of a vehicles frame together. Mounting a winch to a vehicle requires a properly supported structure that is designed to accommodate the stresses of winching. When using a snatch block to increase winching capacity, the forces are multiplied to several times the rated capacity of the winch. The ARB Summit Bumper features the option of fitting a winch, and is designed and tested to endure and exceed such loads.
Recovery points
Factory bumpers traditionally have one tow point integrated into the design, typically hidden behind a small removable piece of plastic. Vehicles lacking tow points make extracting a vehicle from the front very difficult. Extracting a vehicle without tow points means placing gear around axles. Towing from non-designated points that are not rated for the amount of force produced during towing or winching and can damage components.
Installing an off-road bumper will add extraction points to the front and the rear of the vehicle, along with locating them higher on the bumper. Higher tow points make easier work for the winch and keep the winch line out of the mud and dirt.
Approach and departure angle
Approach angle is the maximum angle a vehicle can approach an obstacle without the front of the vehicle dragging. The same goes for departure angle, the maximum angle a vehicle can descend without scrapping the bumper.
A factory bumper design improves aerodynamics not approach and departure angle. The bumpers pushes the air under the car or over the hood reducing drag, improving mpg's.
Off-road bumpers remove nearly half the bumper material and replace it with angled steel allowing a much greater approach angle. Compare a stock and off-road bumper on the same obstacle and notice the difference. The off-road bumper will clear the obstacle allowing the tire to make contact without damaging the bumper.
The concept is the same for departure angle. Coming off a rock or ledge with a factory bumper will make contact with the obstacle damaging the bumper.
Accessories
The addition of an off-road bumper hints an adventure is near. These bumpers are designed to add aftermarket accessories. We mentioned the addition of a winch and it doesn't stop there.
Front bumpers have been designed to integrate:
- winch
- fog lights
- light bars
- tow hooks
- mount a Hi-Lift or shovel
- Antenna
- Points to Jack or lift
Rear bumper designs allow even more equipment options for the adventure traveler:
- Spare tire
- gas & water cans
- tow hooks
- antenna
- Hi-lift or shovel
- Points to jack or lift
- Maxtrax
We'd love to hear from you!
Stop by the shop or visit us online to find the right bumper for your vehicle. Our trained professionals can install your off-road bumper and accessories. Check out our off-road bumper lineup for information and vehicle options.
