Ruined Adventures
Brenton Cooper
Just curious if anyone has seen a heavy duty bumper, multi-carrier, or rear tire carrier made from aluminum?
I try really hard to stay on the lighter side with any upgrades I do with my truck. The 4cyl REALLY appreciates this effort! I recently scored a Hannibal freelander rack which is bigger & beefier, but lighter than most racks because it's all aluminum. This made me wonder if the multi-carrier I've been planning should be made of some stout aluminum instead of heavy steel. Would you trust the weight of a 31" tire on stock aluminum wheels on one? Especially considering the dynamic load it would receive.
I'd like to have the multicarrier/rear bumper made with a hinge on each side, allowing for two swingouts. One swingout supports the spare tire, the other swingout supports a gear rack that would fit fuel/water cans and recovery equipment. One big downfall to aluminum would be the fact that I couldn't make it myself since I don't have the ability to weld aluminum. I'd have to pay someone to do it, and I have no idea what that would add up to.
I also wonder what kind of protection a front bumper in aluminum would offer? Essentially a steel winch plate to offer strength for a winch, but mated with a bumper made of aluminum to save some weight? Would these be the most expensive upgrades ever??? These are the things that keep me awake at night...
I try really hard to stay on the lighter side with any upgrades I do with my truck. The 4cyl REALLY appreciates this effort! I recently scored a Hannibal freelander rack which is bigger & beefier, but lighter than most racks because it's all aluminum. This made me wonder if the multi-carrier I've been planning should be made of some stout aluminum instead of heavy steel. Would you trust the weight of a 31" tire on stock aluminum wheels on one? Especially considering the dynamic load it would receive.
I'd like to have the multicarrier/rear bumper made with a hinge on each side, allowing for two swingouts. One swingout supports the spare tire, the other swingout supports a gear rack that would fit fuel/water cans and recovery equipment. One big downfall to aluminum would be the fact that I couldn't make it myself since I don't have the ability to weld aluminum. I'd have to pay someone to do it, and I have no idea what that would add up to.
I also wonder what kind of protection a front bumper in aluminum would offer? Essentially a steel winch plate to offer strength for a winch, but mated with a bumper made of aluminum to save some weight? Would these be the most expensive upgrades ever??? These are the things that keep me awake at night...
