Bullbars

nimrod · Veteran Member

Bullbars

Casualkev · Senior Member

I would be wondering whether the 'gopher' is worth the hassle of getting it in and out of a ute with a canopy on it, I am assuming it is a quad of some sort?

Kev

Plendo · Guru

Nimrod, I think you have answered your own question, as in you have not used the bar you have had fitted to your vehicle in the past.

I like you always had a bar fitted, and have only needed it a couple of times, both times on gravel roads, and at or near dusk. I no longer need to be in that situation, so have saved the weight, besides I pay insurance every year, so I am happy for them to carry the risk.

iana · Guru

I am following this thread with interest, I too, am undecided about a bull bar, am planning on only traveling during the day. The latest alloy bar made by Mazda is $3600 fitted, and I can get a lot of other essential goodies for that money. So how about some opinions here!

erad · Guru

It all depends on where and when you intend to drive. Where I live and drive, roos and wombats abound (not that a bar is much good for wombats). I like the confidence of having a bar out front to ensure that my car will be driveable after I hit a roo. On my old NL Pajero, I had a poly bar fitted. It weighed much the same as the original bumper bar and it did its job - I never even touched a roo with it! I had hit 3 roos before I fitted it. If you are going to drive in the city, a bar doesn't do much other than scare other drivers, but in the bush, I think there is value in having one.

Don't get an alloy bar - one hit and you have to replace it. The poly bar seemed OK for me, but I wonder how far it would deflect and crunch the bodywork behind it should I hit a roo, particularly at speed. I think it worth noting that most Govt depts seem to use poly bars these days. Maybe they are more pedestrian friendly? The genuine Mitsunishi Motors steel bar I currently have on my new Pajero is not a winch bar, and it doesn't weigh very much at all - I fitted it myself with no difficulties, although obviously it weighs more than the original plastic bar.

-- Edited by erad on Tuesday 1st of December 2015 08:45:23 PM

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

My view?
Don't waste your money - purchase cost, extra fuel cost, insurance cost (extra value to ensure), extra weight, higher tyre wear, slower braking - all for dubious protection.
No insurance company offers a discount if you fit one. Why is that if they reduce damage?

Cheers,
Peter

nimrod · Veteran Member

Hi Kev. Yes it is a quad and unfortunately it is essential for SWMBO who cannot walk more than 15/20 metres and only then with a cane and on very level ground.

Plendo, I think you are right I do not anticipate travelling at dawn or dusk and as insurance companies do not give discounts for fitting these bars I agree with letting them carry the risk.

However I am interested to hear of other people's experiences before finally making up my mind.

Ian, If you do decide to fit a bar there are cheaper options than Mazda. ARB have a winch bar for the BT50 fitted for $2258 or a smart bar - non winch for $2232 or winch for $2573, both fitted prices

Cupie · Guru

I have a Ally roo bar on the old Patrol, just because it came with one about 15 years ago.

Have nudged two roos/wallabies & one wedgetail. All were glancing blows but if unprotected would have caused damage to the vehicle.

The most serious incident was when I tail ended a little Micro on a very wet road in the 'burbs. Bent the bar back a bit & broke a turn indicator cover. Bent the Micro somewhat though. Insurance replaced the bar & light cover ... I paid the $400 excess!

Of course it saved me from bending the mudguard on the garage door once or twice ... I have to get right over close to the passenger side to make room for my kayak storage. I also find it useful in enabling me to run right up against the bumper pad on the garage wall and it mounts the rarely used spot lights too. Some people use it to mount an array of aerials as well.

But if I were to replace the Patrol I would not spend extra for a bull bar especially if they cost $1000 or so..

-- Edited by Cupie on Tuesday 1st of December 2015 11:58:34 PM

Desert Dweller · Guru

Wouldn't ''go bush'''without a bullbar. How many times is the tinny coming off the roof? There's plenty of good ''land based'' fishing around. Our friends just did a half lap & their tinny only got wet 4 times. They're keen fishermen like us. Maybe you could save some weight by leaving the tinny at home? Traveling around at or very near to the maximum isn't a smart idea really.

WobblyNut · Senior Member

The original "bull bars" were made to , stop cattle heads from damaging radiators , And lights .

when you were in isolated spots , so you could get into town & patch things up .

I have had "bull bars" on all my 4b's . except this one . It has a "nudge bar" a Steel nudge bar.

solid as a corner post. when "herself" bought her Xtrail , had a xtrail nudge bar fitted , looks good.

YES , I would put one on . a Good nudge bar , not one like this. Trakta Trek.JPG

-- Edited by WobblyNut on Thursday 3rd of December 2015 05:18:20 AM

WobblyNut · Senior Member

as you can see , th grader blade nudges ,
the chrome bit "tarts it up"

JackoFJR · Senior Member

You have been getting around for 30years always had a Bar but never needed it , there is your answer .

Same with me , l fit a Bar to carry a winch that gets used , l have hit a few Roo's , well they have hit me , stupid buggers have always run into the side , never the front .

Buy the new vehicle , maybe spend the money on a GVM upgrade , load it up run it over a weigh bridge , see what each axel weighs

Then think about a bar if you are not already over GVM , chances are you will be looking to unload stuff not add anymore weight .

-- Edited by JackoFJR on Wednesday 2nd of December 2015 05:25:14 PM

cultana · Senior Member

If you are that loaded, forget the bulbar and go get a GVM upgrade.

elliemike · Guru

Get a Chainsaw and do it this way.

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Delta18 · Guru

Our past 220,000km in 3 different dual cabs, much caravaning over much of Australia.

Two of them had bars, the only good they were was a 'spottie brackets'.

Didn't bother fitting one to the latest D-Max, 22,000km so far & no regrets.

nimrod · Veteran Member

Thanks everyone.

loved the timber one! Bet it was pretty economical too.

Have also spoken to people locally who have bars on their 4x4's and they are also split. However most seem to view these bars as "insurance" - just in case. very few have actually had need of them and most roo and emu strikes seem to have been on the side of the vehicle.

Have decided to give the bar a miss saving a few thousand dollars plus up to $4000 for a GVM upgrade which is a lot for very little gain in GVM.

JackoFJR · Senior Member

I bought a new Dmax in Jan this year and got a ARB , GVM upgrade before rego , $2200 fitted , l have a few issues but got it sorted in the end , l only tow a Tvan ,
Even with a GVM upgrade the GCM ( GROSS COMBINATION MASS ) is not increased , so depending on the weight of your Van a GVM may not be any benefit.

cultana · Senior Member

nimrod wrote:
Thanks everyone.
loved the timber one! Bet it was pretty economical too.
Have also spoken to people locally who have bars on their 4x4's and they are also split. However most seem to view these bars as "insurance" - just in case. very few have actually had need of them and most roo and emu strikes seem to have been on the side of the vehicle.
Have decided to give the bar a miss saving a few thousand dollars plus up to $4000 for a GVM upgrade which is a lot for very little gain in GVM.

$4000 for a GVM upgrade!!!! confuse Sounds bit rich.

My patrol GVM upgrade is only $2000.