Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2003 15:36:02 -0400
Reply-To: "rmstewart@mac.com" <rmstewart@MAC.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "rmstewart@mac.com" <rmstewart@MAC.COM>
Subject: Re: Rear-Ended !! / Tube bumpers
In-Reply-To: <65F5679A5C590C48956686CE37C716FCAD1440@usamcms2.mc.usa.xerox.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1"
> Is the a way to create a ³shock² system to absorb the impact? Maybe using
> marine rubber, the kind they put on docks to prevent the boat from getting
> banged up? or some type of sealed airbag within a rubber housing? it seems as
> though there is so little protection.
>
> robert
> ---------
>
> there is actually no "shock absorber" mechanism on the vanagon
> bumpers [ at least not on my 1990 ] the US DOT did not require it.
>
> I was suprised to find this last summer when I removed my rear bumper to
> install
> a reciever hitch. So aside from the force the bumper may absorb by bending
> [ or shattering as my fiberglass ones would] the remaining impact force
> is absorbed directly by the body.
>
> In an interesting twist - the new receiver hitch i bought and mounted
> directly
> on the body bumper mounts is made of very substantial steel -
> which will inadvertently transfer MORE of an impact to the the thinner steel
>
> in the body of the van. :O(
>
>
> Tom
>
> ----------
> From: rmstewart@mac.com
> Reply To: rmstewart@mac.com
> Sent: Wednesday, July 9, 2003 2:44 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Rear-Ended !! / Tube bumpers
>
>> > Anyone ever purchase and install those large tube bumpers and
> rear/front end
>> > (Like the ones used on SUV1s that cover the front end with large
> steel round
>> > tubes)
>> > I saw someone was selling those a website not to long ago.
>> >
>> > I have always wondered if there practical enough to purchase, ie
> is the weight
>> > worth the protection, does it really protect the van or just cause
> more damage
>> > when your hit?
>> >
>> > Robert
>> > 1989 Blue Carat, NYC (on it1s way from Florida)
>> > -----------------------
>> >
>> >
>> > Just got rear ended the other day. The big chromey bumper on my
> '85 Westy was
>> > hit directly in the middle and bent inward so that it just touched
> the body.
>> > It was a good smack.
>> >
>> > Question is ..... when the insurance guys (not Westy mechanics)
> appraised the
>> > damage, they talked about body work and replacement of the bumper,
> but nothing
>> > else. Is there anything else that I should be concerned about?
> Could there
>> > be any engine damage from a rear end hit?
>> >
>> > Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
>> >
>> > Matthew
>> > Vancouver BC
>> > CANADA
>> >
>
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