2017 Ram 2500 Front Winch Bumper Help

[Big Ern]

I'm ready to pull the trigger on a new front winch bumper on my 2017 Ram 2500 CCTD, but am having trouble with the available options/info. This is for use on my travel/hunting rig. Need protection for animal strikes, etc. and the rare winch use for when I (or a buddy) get stuck in the mud/snow. This is not a rock crawler so not as concerned with approach angles, etc. I have full Thuren King 2.0 suspension set-up with track bar and all the other goodies. I am running Toyo MT 285/75/18 tires. One of my main issues is that while some (not all) of the options will put parking sensor holes in the bumper nobody can confirm whther they will actually work properly. I like the parking sensors and would like to keep them functional, if possible. If I can't, then I guess I have to deal with it. The current contenders for the new bumper are:

1. Expedition One RangeMax Ultra HD: Looks great and seems stout. Some of the issues regarding the rear bumper have me concerned as this is a new offering for them and I haven't seen any real life reviews of this bumper on a Ram. No info. on whether front bumper can accommodate sensors. I sent an email to Exp1, but haven't hear back. Would get this with the added baja bar (which I have yet to see a picture of);
2. Buckstop Baja Bumper: Solid bumper, good company. They can put sensor holes in the bumper, but have yet to confirm whether they will actually work.
3. ARB: No sensor holes, but stout bumper. The high price is a little hard to swallow.
4. Ranch Hand Sport Winch Bumper: Old school and burly. It has sensor holes, but no guaranteed compatibility.
5. AEV Premium: Good looking bumper, but not quite as much grill/light protection as I would like. Intercooler protection is an issue.

Thanks in advance for any feedback/advice/suggestions.
JT

 

[Hummelator]

It seems that the notion of the sensors maybe working is all across the board. So I would leave that factor out of your decision making process.
I personally like the look and function of all the expedition one bumpers that I have seen.
When the day comes for me to actually dish out the cash for a winch bumper, it will be an expedition one bumper

 

[ttengineer]

A guy over on the AEV forum uses his rig for hunting and has the AEV Bumper. He loves it. BUT, he has hit his intercooler several times due to his model year not having a skid plate option.

It’s definitely the only downfall of the bumper for what you seek.

There have been photos on the AEV forum where guys have hit elk and the bumper barely shows it was hit.




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[txflyyaker]

TrailReady makes several front and rear bumpers. Excellent fit and finish.

 

[Austo]

I went with AEV but it was more to keep the tight lines and factory look. I've had experience with Buckstop and they build great products. ARB obviously a quality bumper and Expedition One looks great but I have no experience with them. All the ones you mentioned look like great bumpers and just have different pro's and con's.

Sounds like you are doing a lot of rural driving, Buck Stop would be a great choice IMO.

 

[Copperhead14]

Checkout LOD off-road. They have the sensor cutouts. Great quality.

 

[Regcabguy]

The 3rd gen ARB front bumpers had zero protection for the intercooler,radiator etc.
Hopefully,they've corrected it on the 4ths.
Trail Ready and Buckstop pump out some well designed units that don't look like they belong on the front of a train.

 

[c7train]

I'm in the same boat. We just bought a 2012 Ram and need a bumper. I had a Buckstop classic on my last truck and liked it, but want something a little different this time, and may even go aluminum.

 

[Big Ern]

Thanks. Gonna look at the Trail Ready, as well.

 

[ttengineer]

The 3rd gen ARB front bumpers had zero protection for the intercooler,radiator etc.
Hopefully,they've corrected it on the 4ths.
Trail Ready and Buckstop pump out some well designed units that don't look like they belong on the front of a train.

I think ARB has a skid option but I think it requires some modifications to work on a diesel. Don’t quote me on that.

If I’m remembering correctly, one of the 3 current Ram builds on the full size page has the ARB and is doing something with a skid. It might be the “family 3500” one.

Three things happen as you get older, your memory starts to go ... and I can’t remember the other 2.

Personally, I love the AEV. It looks like it’s a factory upgrade. It just goes so well with the truck. I also really like the EXP-One as well. I think it sticks out further than the others though by a few inches.


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[Kingsize24]

I have the ARB. No modifications are needed for the intercooler protection, but I personally will be shortening mine to gain back some ground clearance. No big deal if you don't do it, just a personal preference.

Jason

I think ARB has a skid option but I think it requires some modifications to work on a diesel. Don’t quote me on that.

If I’m remembering correctly, one of the 3 current Ram builds on the full size page has the ARB and is doing something with a skid. It might be the “family 3500” one.

Three things happen as you get older, your memory starts to go ... and I can’t remember the other 2.

Personally, I love the AEV. It looks like it’s a factory upgrade. It just goes so well with the truck. I also really like the EXP-One as well. I think it sticks out further than the others though by a few inches.


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[verdesard0g]

KISS is my motto, I haven't seen any bumpers that I like at all so I got this:

 

[Big Ern]

All,
Thanks for the feedback. Right now Buckstop appears to be a good fit and all the reviews seem to be positive. I have yet to hear back from Exp1 on my email inquiry from a week ago (not a good sign). ARB is still on the list. I think I am gonna pass on the AEV. I like the look, etc., but would just like some more grill and light protection. That little baja loop they put on their seem to just be enough to protect the light bar. Also, the lack of intercooler protection seems plain silly, especially since they have customers on their own forum who have complained about intercooler strikes yet still no protection.

 

[arielmiller]

i love the ARB bumper. expedition one's truck is a perfect example of it.

 

[Dalko43]

I agree that the additional grille protection offered by ARB and Buckstop is nice. ARB seems to be the only one that focuses on protection for underneath the truck (and only the intercooler at that, there is a shocking lack of skid plate options for the Ram 2500/3500).

The only thing to keep in mind...weight. I haven't seen an exact number for the ARB bumper, or Buckstop's, but I'd imagine with a full hoop it could be as high as 300lbs for the bumper alone, not counting the winch. Now that's replacing the stock bumper which is what, 40lbs-60lbs? That added weight is still well within the GAWR for the front, but still that's is a fair bit of weight.