Rear Bumpers - Looking at 2 options ARB and AEV

[rlynch356]

I'm looking at these 2 only at this point.
I've used ARB on a couple of trucks prior but never had these choices.

I'm just pulling out the relevant differences for Pro/Con

AEV
Pros -
5gal of water which would be useful until i buy a trailer. (Planned not sure yet on what yet though)
Pull pal mount along with Hi-Lift mount
shovel mount
10gal Gas in the tire carrier

Cons.
Water storage.. Clean out.. i.e. keeping it potable in other words
Fluid weight (15gal of water/Gas )
No hi-lift pocket (i'm in the camp that Hi-lifts are dangerous but needed things and i like a pocket for the jack tongue to prevent it moving side to side)
Front bumpers seem to rust - easy fix but shouldn't have to do this.
Stamped construction - (this is iffy as a con...i know that)

ARB
Pros -
Hi-lift pocket
Hi-lift storage
No water to worry about - hygine wise anyway
welded - solid plate type construction
Never had a rust issue (3 trucks with ARB on them in 20 years..D90 has had a front bumper now for 5 years, looks new)

Cons-
No water
No Shovel mount (has to go on the roof rack)
No gas storage (has to go on the face of the tire via rotopax - may be a benefit since my D90 will have to use this solution).
No Pull pal mount - has to go on the roof.

in general, my uses will include a trailer for camping gear, i need this to be able to move between trucks (i take the D90 for most off road stuff now but the plan is to retire it mostly in favor of the JK for that as the prices for them have skyrocketed, its not a beater in other words, i also have the LC which is used in more family oriented adventures as well, i.e no serious off road stuff yet, since its my wifes DD)

Right now the Pull pal and the high lift live in the back of the defender and do get used, not often but they are used. Gas is something i have not needed and hope not to. Water - until i get a trailer is largely a camp thing and with no shower, 5gal is fine for 2-3 days.

I am going to match the front bumper to the rear, so in my mind the rear is the key to figuring out the front.

Thoughts from the peanut gallery?

To me the AEV bits are nice but more of an OEM+ thing, and i see them alot. I doubt 90% of them are used for the intended purpose.

 

[Shamus13]

You have to give any company that acknowledges an issue and take action to correct the problem with their product. AEV has done this and has stood by their product in regards to the rust issue with the front bumper. The water tank works as expected and is a useful feature. However, I tend to carry separate water since it is easier to bring the jerry cans to the water source for refills. I use the AEV water for washing/rinsing and if needed drinking. It's not my only water source instead a supplement to my usually supply.

 

[rlynch356]

I do like that feature, and yes i am not questioning the resolution of the rust issue they experienced.

 

[BCobe]

Cannot really weigh in on the bumper options but have some storage ideas that may be of help.

In terms of fuel you could possibly use this mount http://www.rebeloffroad.com/product-p/rs-2tb.htm and I want to say Vector might make a Rotopax mount that attaches to the outside of the wheel.

For the hi-lift/shovel mount here are some options

for a 2 door - http://www.jeepswag.com/shop/shop/j...-door-jeep-jk-stealth-hi-lift-jack-mount-kit/
for a 4 door - http://www.jeepswag.com/shop/shop/jeep-jk-hi-lift-jack-mount/jeep-jk-stealth-hi-lift-jack-mount-kit/

Then you can either buy or fab that little bracket, that is also sold on that side, which would allow you to carry a shovel and axe.

I know you stated that you are only looking at these two options currently but have you looked at the LoD rear bumper/carrier?

 

[DEFENDERBEAM]

On the AEV bumper you also need the tire carrier to use their lift/pull pal mount. The mount doesn't work on the bumper by itself.

As said above the AEV water storage is more for washing hands, and the sort, and not for drinking. I think the capacity is only 2.5 gallons total between both sides?

The AEV bumper does have a catch for the hi-lift on the corner tubing near where it connects to the rear step. It helps the jack from slipping.

I just this past weekend installed my AEV rear bumper, so my only comments are visual, and specs, since I have yet to do anything since its been on.

I have never owned and ARB, but they look nice, and are obviously a reputable outfit.

Aesthetically, they are my 2 favorite full size JK bumpers.

 

[rlynch356]

Gotcha - i was planning the tire carrier with either option. I looked at the AEV notches for the high lift. Not sure... I've had a hi-lift slip on me...

 

[GetOutThere]

I don't really have an opinion between the two, but I'll throw out some bullets.

The AEV rear only stores one type of shovel, and not the ideal type in my opinion.
The AEV does have hi-lift catches, as mentioned.
Technically the AEV water carrying option is for grey water, but if you really want to put in the time, I'm sure you could use it for potable water.
I believe the pull pal and highlift mount on the AEV is an additional option, with additional cost.
The AEV front bumper does not have hi-lift pockets unless you also fork over a few hundred extra dollars for the front skid plate. I know we're looking rear, but you said it would dictate the front purchase, so this applies.
The AEV rear does not center the spare. Unsure about the ARB.
The AEV fuel caddy is slick, and doesn't require removal to fill from.

 

[rlynch356]

Good point on the Front AEV bumper Re: Hi-lift jack pockets.
ARB - looks to center the tire - but i don't have pictures of it, that is from memory at expo east which could be off some

The Fuel caddy is very attractive and is a great solution. Just not sure i want it there all the time since this is also my Daily driver. But with a trailer planned (TD actually) i'll have the option to add in 10 gals on it, plus i will have real estate on the roof as well if needed, although that is less than desirable for fuel.
I was think of 4 - 2 gal rotopax containers on a tire mount would suit "most" situations, at least here in the east coast. Even on the TAT i hope that 10 gal on the trailer and 8 gal on the tire would take care of it. Plus give me flexibility so i can use the same mount on the defender.

 

[mikeJKUR]

Take a look at maximus-3 tire carrier. Gives you a few options for mounting fuel, water, hi-lift, and a shovel.

http://www.rubitrux.com/maximus-3-10a-x-rubicon-modular-rear-tire-carrier.html

 

[ZMagic97]

I do not own either, however I almost bought the AEV set-up. The only reason I didn't is because I already had a Mopar bumper and just needed a carrier, so I went with the gas can holder version of the OR-Fab.

You could always do the OR-Fab since it holds the tire, fuel, water, and the Hi-Lift (that's how I do it).

If you're not at all looking for another set-up, I'd do the AEV. Hope this helps.

 

[rlynch356]

Thanks it does.. but i'm a bit stuck on a couple of things..

1) hi-lift safety, i've done dumb things before not thinking

2) Water, not sold on a bumper solution. It does make great grey water storage but not sure i want yet another thing to clean out and being that its 2 separate tanks it makes it that much more of a Pita when the fun is done and your cleaning up your gear. While i don't wash the truck much (I have white trucks for a reason ) I do service all my gear as if i have a ADHD issue

3) Fuel, its a DD as well so storage on the truck for the siphon is something i need to deal with and i do not want it inside the truck (kids), Not to mention my dive gear which is Phobic to petrol fumes. I dive a dry suit and the seals are latex at at a $100 a seal on average to replace any more regularly than normal which is once a year, is not ideal not to mention my Drysuit is more costly than front, rear bumpers and all the add-ons for them combined.

I fully realize that my criteria is not the norm and that my truck has to serve a couple of purposes (DD, Cave Diving, and Expo) which leads to compromises.
For 98% of people the choice between the 2 systems (AEV & ARB) is heavily weighted towards AEV with its versatility and available options for water, and fuel. Right now i'm going to go with the ARB system.

I am purposely not considering other makes for a couple of reasons...

1) Air bag compatibility for the front bumper, I've got 2 little girls and they go on adventures with me.
2) I am a fan of systems .. I.e pieces of gear that work seamlessly together be it functional or esthetically, ideally both.
3) Manufacture Customer support, both are great here so that is a non-issue.
4) If you know what DIR Rule #6 is, you'll get it

 

[Yuccahead]

Cleaning out, or at least rinsing out and draining the AEV tanks is easy. The two tanks are connected by tubes joined with a kind of push lock connector. Push down on the collar and pull out the tube to disconnect. Drain, rinse out (by refilling so you get both tanks), drain again reconnect and your you're done until you need to use it again.

 

[Septu]

You have to give any company that acknowledges an issue and take action to correct the problem with their product. AEV has done this and has stood by their product in regards to the rust issue with the front bumper. The water tank works as expected and is a useful feature. However, I tend to carry separate water since it is easier to bring the jerry cans to the water source for refills. I use the AEV water for washing/rinsing and if needed drinking. It's not my only water source instead a supplement to my usually supply.

A buddy has the AEV bumper. The only time he used the water was to wash up a bit after wheeling. Personally it's a meh to have feature, but one a crucial one. The bigger benefits would be the gas (or water tank) and the pullpal holder.

 

[Septu]

Take a look at maximus-3 tire carrier. Gives you a few options for mounting fuel, water, hi-lift, and a shovel.

http://www.rubitrux.com/maximus-3-10a-x-rubicon-modular-rear-tire-carrier.html

Not bad. It would be nice if some of these companies that are making things like this would make an adapter to fit the AEV caddy.

 

[Yulli]

I was going to go with the AEV bumper when I wanted to replace my POS Poison Spyder bumper/carrier. Then I saw the new updated ARB bumper/carrier. I went with the ARB cuz it was a few hundred dollars cheaper and the hi lift mount was included. I know it doesn't have gas storage but you can run a mount between the hub opening of your wheel off the tire mount and run either a Roto Pax set up or look into this other set up which I can't remember the name of. I'd have to look at the link on my home computer when I get home. It uses the roto pax's as well unless you can set up something for a can instead. Either way, you can make it work.

Both brands are great, but I went with ARB cuz I've never had a problem with them and they're local to me if I do. Plus the price point was better.

I thought I had a picture of the bumper on my Jeep uploaded. I will have to take one after work and post it up.