Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (October 2001, week 3)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Mon, 22 Oct 2001 10:45:45 +1000
Reply-To:     Ian Astbury <kelian@IPRIMUS.COM.AU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ian Astbury <kelian@IPRIMUS.COM.AU>
Subject:      Re: crashing....
Comments: To: Robert Dalton <dieselsong@yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Sorry I don't have pictures at the moment. Maybe someone else might? The bumper replacement is a 'c' section, about 6in deep, the verticals extend by another couple of inches, giving about 8in of airspace before the bodywork. Mounted by bolting to the existing bumpermounts, and also directly to the chassis at all 4 extensions to the front. Due to the weight it is fully welded aluminium, steel ones tend to be smaller and cheaper. Was offered by most dealers as an option (for a couple of grand....).

The state restricts the design, to try and minimise negative affects, particularly on pedestrians. Things become complicated in vehicles with airbags, requiring the bar to be mounted on crushcans to avoid accidental inflation's in minor knocks. There are many older 4*4's around with homemade steel bars, made from what was lying around in the shed at the time, that are a menace to any other road user, which is why the state is becoming increasingly strict. A recent innovation is bars made from polymer. Highly skeptical at first, I saw one demonstrated, with a so equipped Hilux run into a post at about 20km/h, enough to bend a metal bar and give the occupants a jolt.. The plastic deformed, absorbed all the shock, and then returned to its shape over about 5 minutes. Fascinating to watch, and kinder to cyclists, babies prams and the like. (animals too) Dunno if it would help if I ran into a truck at 100km/h tho'...

Often wondered why bull bars are never seen in rural areas of northern America. They are found in some form just about everywhere else. Btw, in vast areas of Aus, the roads are unfenced, and livestock has legal right of way. Trouble is, semi-wild cattle don't have much road sense!

Have fun all, and keep your eyes open,

Ian.

Robert Dalton wrote: > > How far out does a roo bar/catcher extend? Does the > state get involved in what you can and can't extend > from the front of a van? > > I think a properly deisgned roo bar could add to > safety in a crash by adding crush space. Any > mechanical engineers out there who know how to design > these things? > > Rob > > __________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > Make a great connection at Yahoo! Personals. > http://personals.yahoo.com


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.