Date: Sat, 15 Jan 2011 22:18:00 -0500
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Bumpers
In-Reply-To: <fb3ccda06e6f.4d2dd538@bendbroadband.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Of course not having the folding trim piece fold up even during low speed
impacts the body may be protected with those resulting forces transferring
to your seat. So the van may be protected but you may have the whiplash.
Actually this point is crap and a trailer hitch can have the same results.
Strong bumpers, bull bars etc all look good and offer some protection but
once an impact occurs beyond their limits, they will often do more damage
than the original impact.
And the rear bumper mounts are not that strong. The bolts do shear and those
brackets do not put up that much of a fight.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Don Hundt
Sent: Wednesday, January 12, 2011 7:22 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Bumpers
Scott,
I think the main reason some folks want bigger bumpers is that they look
better than a flimsy bumper that bends in a stiff breeze. I fail to see how
a larger bumper would make one less safe in the type of crash where a bumper
would be involved. I'm not an automotive engineer, but I would suspect that
VW didn't spec those bumpers as part of the crumple zone, but rather as a
cost-saving measure. If the bumper mounts to the same point as stock, it
seems to me the same energy would be transferred to the body of the van as
with stock bumpers. They are both mounted solidly to the "frame" of the van,
with no energy absorption between components. The only issue I can see is in
the event of a glancing blow, where the stock bumpers would fold up, the
larger bumper would hold, possibly transferring damage upstream to the
mounting point. Either way, though, you will end up with body damage.
Don
----- Original Message -----
From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Date: Wednesday, January 12, 2011 2:48 pm
Subject: Re: Bumpers
> what I question is why anyone would want bigger bumpers .
>
> if it's safety, making the van into a battery ram won't help at
> all in a
> rollover, or side impact crash.
>
> adding weigh to the ends of vehicle is a disadvantage dynamically ..
> 'polar moment of inertia' ..means a thing heavy at the ends
> doesn't like to
> change directions as easily.
>
> so nimbleness of handling will diminish some.
>
> and I wonder about the built-in crushability that's engineered, very
> intentionally , into the vehicle..
> it might actually not be as safe with bigger heavier bumpers on
> it, in terms
> if impacts from the ends and nice controlled crushability there.
>
> I'm sure people realize the idea of crumble zones is to spread the
> forcesout over those first milliseconds of hitting something
> ..controlleddeformation for occupant protection.
> Make it into a battering ram ..and you loose that, I'd think.
>
> Scott
> www.turbovans.com
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Troy" <colorworks@GCI.NET>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Wednesday, January 12, 2011 1:25 PM
> Subject: Bumpers
>
>
> > Was just looking at the new "big bumpers" from Van Cafe' and then
> > comparing them to Go Westy's bumpers. There's a several hundred
> dollar> price difference. Does anyone care to comment on the
> relative advantages
> > of one over the other? Considering my location, the Van Cafe'
> bumpers,> despite there higher price, may actually work out
> cheaper because of
> > shipping. Any disadvantages to the Go Westy bumpers? Sounds like
> some> minor cutting of the van is required.
> >
> > Troy
>
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