Put $300 into a steel bumper and it bent on the first rock garden

I figured an aftermarket bumper was worth every penny after my stock one got dented. Spent roughly $300 on a 'heavy duty' steel bumper from a local shop in Denton. First trip out to a rocky trail and it bent in on the driver side corner after a small hit. Did I get a cheap model or are most aftermarket bumpers just decorative? Anyone else have a bumper that folded like paper?

2 comments

2 Comments

viola_ward19d ago

Oh man, that sucks. I'd be pretty frustrated too after spending that kind of money on something that was supposed to be tough. Maybe check the thickness like that other person said, because 14 gauge just isn't enough for real off-road hits.

jordan90319d ago

It folded like paper" - yep, been there myself. Quick question though, what thickness steel did they tell you it was? A lot of those "heavy duty" bumpers from local fab shops are using 14 gauge or even thinner stuff that just looks tough but bends like tinfoil when you actually hit something. I'd be checking if they welded it right too, sometimes the mounting tabs are the weak point and that's where it buckles first.