Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Join Truck Conversion Today
Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 02-16-2016, 07:33 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Spotsylvania
Posts: 376
Default Rear Bumpers?

I was reading a custom build thread where the gentleman had spec'd out a nice rear bumper for his TC. That rekindled an old question of mine. Why aren't the factory TCs equipped with rear bumpers? It seems that one as imposing as the front would be in order to dress up/protect the back end.
__________________

__________________
2006 Renegade/Freightliner Coronado 43', Detroit, twin screw, 12spd
2001 Ford Excursion PSD
2017 Ford F450
petrel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-16-2016, 10:04 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
samcrimm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Tullahoma
Posts: 361
Default

I was at the renagade factory before i bought mine and a unit had been hit in the rear end and never really a lot damage. the hitch is massive under there and i think a bumper would be in the way of the hitch and the trailer these rig can pull.

Sam
__________________

__________________
2005 Renegade #1204 42 footer Columbia M3200CH-435,12 speed auto Cat 12 kw Genset, Roadtrip Mission in-mot Dish Network, Washer dryer combo, Jeep Liberty toad,1973 Cessna Skylane,1955 Chev 210 Belair survivor
samcrimm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-16-2016, 02:18 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 146
Default

I agree, it would be a bad day for whoever hit the hitch on mine. It sticks out about 1 foot from the rear with the receiver adapter, and being 30K or 40K rated hitch, it will not move.

A rear bumper could also limit the overhang clearance.
__________________
2005 Kenworth Showhauler 45 ft total length
twin screw, 450 hp ISX, 10 speed Ultrashift
38Chevy454 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-16-2016, 02:29 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Spotsylvania
Posts: 376
Default

I agree that the entire hitch/end of frame assembly is quite robust. However, I was just thinking it would be nice to have that sort of protection all the way out to the corners.

Perhaps an aftermarket "Texas style" rectangular bumper that would connect via the hitch rails would work. The rectangular bumper with redundant signal and marker lights could be removed when setting up for towing. Although I fear that lifting it may be a three man job.
__________________
2006 Renegade/Freightliner Coronado 43', Detroit, twin screw, 12spd
2001 Ford Excursion PSD
2017 Ford F450
petrel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-16-2016, 03:03 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 146
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by petrel View Post
I agree that the entire hitch/end of frame assembly is quite robust. However, I was just thinking it would be nice to have that sort of protection all the way out to the corners.

Perhaps an aftermarket "Texas style" rectangular bumper that would connect via the hitch rails would work. The rectangular bumper with redundant signal and marker lights could be removed when setting up for towing. Although I fear that lifting it may be a three man job.
I am almost always towing something, so for me the bumper would be used only when parked at my house. It is enough hassle to swap between the ball hitch or the towbar.
__________________
2005 Kenworth Showhauler 45 ft total length
twin screw, 450 hp ISX, 10 speed Ultrashift
38Chevy454 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-16-2016, 09:06 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Spotsylvania
Posts: 376
Default

I may find the same thing to be true, once I have more opportunity to use my TC.
__________________
2006 Renegade/Freightliner Coronado 43', Detroit, twin screw, 12spd
2001 Ford Excursion PSD
2017 Ford F450
petrel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-17-2016, 08:03 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
solo318's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 127
Default

As I spend a lot of time at the track, I see lots of T/C guys with cracked rear caps, due to turning too sharply. I am planning on the bumper being sacrificial in that it will hit the trailer tongue before the trailer hits the back of the truck. I have brought several customers rigs back to the shop to fix damage caused by their own trailers. This is also why I am not planning on a ladder.
solo318 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-17-2016, 08:58 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Spotsylvania
Posts: 376
Default

Please post a photo when you build one.
__________________
2006 Renegade/Freightliner Coronado 43', Detroit, twin screw, 12spd
2001 Ford Excursion PSD
2017 Ford F450
petrel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-17-2016, 10:13 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
bushpilot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tomball
Posts: 1,414
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by solo318 View Post
As I spend a lot of time at the track, I see lots of T/C guys with cracked rear caps, due to turning too sharply. I am planning on the bumper being sacrificial in that it will hit the trailer tongue before the trailer hits the back of the truck. I have brought several customers rigs back to the shop to fix damage caused by their own trailers. This is also why I am not planning on a ladder.
Our coach was never built w/ a ladder - further proof that everyone of these things (even when purchased from a mfg) are "custom" one-off.

I contacted Haulmark, who directed me to their dealer network....and i was receiving quotes of 500+ (not including installation).

I bought a 15.5 foot Xtend+Climb ladder, that collapses to 34 inches and stores nicely in our basement storage bin.

Ive used it a few times - air conditioning repair, vent upgrades, maintenance and even at races for observation "deck" access.

I can't say I've ever thought i really missed having a permanently attached ladder (don't have one to miss). The portable Xtend+Climb was about 200 bucks and it consumes very little storage space.

here's some pictures of a friends 8 footer next to our 15.5 footer -



__________________
Don R.
'04 Haulmark (M42386) 42', 2 slide, 10kw - Pictures
'04 F350 CrewCab Longbed 4x4, 50g aux tank & gear vendors dbl over
bushpilot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-17-2016, 03:56 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Bob86ZZ4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: St. Paul, MN
Posts: 1,819
Default

Mine has a ladder on the back but I'm very reluctant to climb up it. I figure my fat lard will rip it off the back. The best thing about my ladder is that I mounted my flag pole to it. I have one of those fiberglass extendable poles that slips into this handy mount on the ladder. I can't find a picture showing the mount but here's one with it up:



Lemme know if you can't see it. I'm still learning all this photo junk.
__________________
'03 Freightliner FL112, 295" wheel base, with '03 United Specialties 26' living quarters, single screw, Cat C12 430 h/p 1650 torque, Eaton 10speed , 3.42 rear axle ratio
Bob86ZZ4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-17-2016, 04:00 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Bob86ZZ4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: St. Paul, MN
Posts: 1,819
Default

Here's the place I got mine at: RV Flagpole Guy , fiberglass telescoping flagpoles, mounts, lights – rvflagpoleguy
__________________
'03 Freightliner FL112, 295" wheel base, with '03 United Specialties 26' living quarters, single screw, Cat C12 430 h/p 1650 torque, Eaton 10speed , 3.42 rear axle ratio
Bob86ZZ4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-17-2016, 09:11 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
bushpilot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tomball
Posts: 1,414
Default

I would agree with you Bob - i have wished for a ladder, just to have a place to put my flag, instead i have to use a mount under the tire.

__________________
Don R.
'04 Haulmark (M42386) 42', 2 slide, 10kw - Pictures
'04 F350 CrewCab Longbed 4x4, 50g aux tank & gear vendors dbl over
bushpilot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2016, 08:49 AM   #13
Senior Member
 
Bob86ZZ4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: St. Paul, MN
Posts: 1,819
Default

Looking good too Don. I have a led spotlight mounted on a clip and I plug it into the trailer wire plug on the back of the coach. Gotta keep it lit at night. I usually take the flag down when we turn in though because you never know if a storm is going to come up during the night.
__________________
'03 Freightliner FL112, 295" wheel base, with '03 United Specialties 26' living quarters, single screw, Cat C12 430 h/p 1650 torque, Eaton 10speed , 3.42 rear axle ratio
Bob86ZZ4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-29-2016, 10:10 AM   #14
Senior Member
 
samcrimm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Tullahoma
Posts: 361
Default

Attachment 2258I finally got a picture of my flag pole, i use the mirror on my truck and tie wraps. i left my tennessee flag at home....

Sam
Attached Thumbnails
tmp_19758-2016-02-29 10.59.57-396786813.jpg  
__________________

__________________
2005 Renegade #1204 42 footer Columbia M3200CH-435,12 speed auto Cat 12 kw Genset, Roadtrip Mission in-mot Dish Network, Washer dryer combo, Jeep Liberty toad,1973 Cessna Skylane,1955 Chev 210 Belair survivor
samcrimm is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:50 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
×