TheSamba.com :: View topic - Custom Tube Bumpers with Tire Carrier and Gas Can Holder

Tue Feb 21, 2012 1:25 pm

I love those! I saw years ago that Van Cafe had some like that for Vanagon's and wished they made them for a Bay. Tell the guy you are working with if he wants to sell some here to put me on the list.

Tue Feb 21, 2012 4:20 pm

kkirwin wrote: Tell the guy you are working with if he wants to sell some here to put me on the list.

yes for sure! ill buy one

Tue Feb 21, 2012 4:53 pm

notchboy wrote: Someone is very proud of their Vanagon :shock:

Not quite sure what you mean - if it is the logo on the right, that is the shop that made the outfit you see. That is actually a tray that tilts down. They make really nice stuff there!

Thu Feb 23, 2012 7:56 am

funkngruv wrote: i love that design. I did also email rocky mountain to see if they could start fabricating some stuff for bay windows. They said they have been getting more and more emails about it and within the next year are going to start making stuff for bay windows. You all, if interested, should email them. I really like what you have going on with your rear bumper and would love to be able to have a cargo carrier and a spare on the back. Keep up the great work!

Sounds like there is an underground interest in these type of bumpers for Bays. Back in October of 2010 I also emailed Rocky Mountatin Westy and they said they were getting more inquiries every week even at that point. Said the plan was to start making stuff eventually.

funkngruv wrote: kkirwin wrote: Tell the guy you are working with if he wants to sell some here to put me on the list.

yes for sure! ill buy one

I'll plan on asking my guy about reproducing these, and to come up with a set price since I am currently paying an hourly shop rate. I'll also ask for him to price out a rear version that more closely matches the front -- space filled in between the horizontal bars, and a plate that rides along the top. I do wish I at least had foot pad type plates at the top of each corner bends on the sides for when I need to stand on it to reach the rack.

Hoping to have the finished product tomorow, but I have a feeling it's not going to be until next week.

Sat Mar 03, 2012 11:05 am

Going back to the second reply you had, I didn't notice whether you'd answered - can you still open the rear hatch? It looks awfully close.

I'd imagine that's why the Vanagon has the separation - swing both to their respective sides to allow the wider tail hatch to open :?:

Sat Mar 03, 2012 12:02 pm

samwise wrote: Going back to the second reply you had, I didn't notice whether you'd answered - can you still open the rear hatch? It looks awfully close.

I'd imagine that's why the Vanagon has the separation - swing both to their respective sides to allow the wider tail hatch to open :?:

Both sides have hinges and swing out on mine as well, so no issues with clearing the hatch. I'll try to post up pictures of the final powder coated and mounted version some time this weekend.

Wed Mar 28, 2012 6:47 pm

Finished Product.....

Wed Mar 28, 2012 7:11 pm

mmmmm sacrilicious =D>

where/can it be acquired by the general public?

Wed Mar 28, 2012 7:20 pm

That's really nice. I was looking at the standard fare made by ARB and the usual homebrews on the back of a lot of vehicles recently for design ideas because I'd like one. I don't like carrying extra fuel in the cab, plus my spare is the first point of contact when pushing things out of the way etc.

They are common to see on caravans, trailers and vehicles. Some are less than safe. I saw a Nissan/Toyota/Ford van last week (no idea which. they all look the same to me) with one somehow bungee strapped to the tailgate. :lol:

Wed Mar 28, 2012 7:51 pm

Now that kicks ass! When are you making me one? Looks as nice as the one on the Vanagon up top.

Wed Mar 28, 2012 8:10 pm

Make that 2. I would buy one.

Wed Mar 28, 2012 8:38 pm

I want just the swing out rack to weld onto my stock bumper.

The bumper is fuckin kickass too but doesn't go with my bus.

Wed Mar 28, 2012 8:44 pm

It'd go just fine with mine :lol: Perhaps to fully suit the tube diameter would have to be bumped up a bit. I'd like solid band steel taillight guard hoops on it too. Standard fare stuff. ut I have to say they look really good.

Wed Mar 28, 2012 9:08 pm

Krautski wrote: I want just the swing out rack to weld onto my stock bumper.

Great job! I think the above option could greatly expand the potential market for this product.

Wed Mar 28, 2012 9:48 pm

BUSBOSS wrote: Krautski wrote: I want just the swing out rack to weld onto my stock bumper.

Great job! I think the above option could greatly expand the potential market for this product.

No way! It'd be all wobbly. I've been thinking about the fitment issue for ages. We have bumper replacement, or what the globetrotting orange bus has which attaches through the rear panel. What may work is something that utilizes the top and bottom bumper bolts like a thick C of plate wrapping around either the back or front. Not sure if the front would be possible.

Thu Mar 29, 2012 8:16 am

I would be very interested in one of these also. Ask the guy who made it if he is open to orders? As you can see a few of us would like one. I bought a rear bumper, tire carrier built by a jeepforum member for a Jeep I had. I would do it again. I even had to prep, paint and assemble it. I also paid the shipping from VA to WA.

Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:25 am

Well constructed but too asymmetrical for me.

Good job though.

Thu Mar 29, 2012 12:15 pm

I Really like what you've done here. Gorgeous bus btw. I'm curious if you could get some close ups of some of the details? How did you mount the rear bumper? Did you use VW bumper brackets or go straight to the 4 frame holes underneath with a custom bracket? Can you give any specs on the diameter and thickness of the tubing you chose? Last question, do the rear wraps seem to vibrate much?

Thu Mar 29, 2012 1:02 pm

I'll get to some of the additonal questions that have been asked when I get more time, but her is my current feedback.

My final thoughts on design: I still wish that there was a split down the middle where you can attach one side and leave the other off if you wanted. Despite the fact that I can remove the tray, I don't necessarily like the horizontal bar going all the way accross the back only to hold a spare. The issue that the long horizontal bar solves is never having to worry about stability. To make the split, and still have stability the option would be to have a second small thin drop vertially down and attach to the bumper for the second brace point on the bumper. That is how the RockyMountainWesty one looks to acheive stability. (see picture above)I'd also make the cargo tray as big as possible without looking gaudy for versatility. This one is a little small. If you do a search in the Vanagon forum you can also get other design ideas to incorporate into you own design, as that is what I did.

How do I get one? Here is the follow up to those that have PM'd me with interest in having their own made by the fabricator I used.

I really think we the Bay community need to get somebody making these regardless. The shop I worked with's primary business is building roll cages, so this was more fun for them than a primary business venture. Throughout the process I let them know that others would be interested, and they confirmed that they are willing to re-produce. However I never got a follow up on price, or direction on what they wanted me to tell those interested. My suggestion is to reach out to them directly. If nothing else maybe somebody needs to reach out to Rocky Mountain Westy to make them aware of the interest from the Bay community.

Phone: 916.275.1039
e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]
www.evilgeniusracing.com

Thu Mar 29, 2012 2:24 pm

My critique would of been the same just by looking at it. I love the bumpers for sure and to be able to have the spare on the back. The gas storage not so much but other things could be placed there. I would want the separation like the proud Vanagon has as well. Im going to see what a shop near me would charge.

Im getting close to having a bus with AT tires on it and these bumpers would be a nice addition 8)