Rear bumper options for 2016+

[benc]

Who makes a rear steel bumper with the spare tire carrier on the left and a ladder on the right?

While our main focus to start is aluminum steel hybrid we are not opposed to an all steel if the there is enough interest.
Our swing arms are modular so the accessories and tire can be mounted to either side at anytime.
We can also do custom work in house if we have the vehicle in the shop. The ladder in the pic is not 100% into production yet but we built an aluminum ladder with a dry box as a 3rd swing out. The lid on the dry box doubled as a table with built in adjustable legs.

 

[mcgaskins]

Didn't mean it that way at all.
You are already a customer, you get to call as much as you need I'm talking about potential customers that are not happy with the wait and want something next week. At this point we are not able to do that so I send them to someone who can or recommend an off the shelf item. With that said I'll call you today.

Well get ready for more calls Ben..... I decided to postpone accepting custom builds another 60 days....

J

Aaaaaaand you’re proving @Sedalia’s point nicely It appears there is a lot more demand than supply for 200 bumpers that aren’t ARB or TJM which is frustrating from the consumer’s perspective. No need to explain again as you guys have already done, but it’s a valid point he has. Even though I’d rather spend money at a small American business, I’m personally bringing in a bumper from Australia because I simply won’t wait for an unknown amount of time for a bespoke product.

 

[Sedalia]

While our main focus to start is aluminum steel hybrid we are not opposed to an all steel if the there is enough interest.
Our swing arms are modular so the accessories and tire can be mounted to either side at anytime.
We can also do custom work in house if we have the vehicle in the shop. The ladder in the pic is not 100% into production yet but we built an aluminum ladder with a dry box as a 3rd swing out. The lid on the dry box doubled as a table with built in adjustable legs. View attachment 1892947View attachment 1892951View attachment 1892952View attachment 1892955

I can see all the innovative ideas at work here. Awesome!

 

[benc]

I can see all the innovative ideas at work here. Awesome!

Thanks! Innovation is expensive though! You should see my scrap pile

 

[benc]

Also to be clear, the reason lead times are tough for me to give right now is these items are still in prototype stage. That is why we haven't even started taking orders yet other than a few local. One we start production I can give an accurate estimated lead time.

 

[Union]

@benc I'm loving the table idea. I think you could probably get away with steel for the bumper proper and aluminum for the rest of the components for those times when you drag your rear bumper on the departure angle. Also, with the table, is there a way to level it when you may not be parked particularly level?

 

[Markuson]

Well get ready for more calls Ben..... I decided to postpone accepting custom builds another 60 days....

J

I like that you take care of your [edit!] health. As doctor says... “Postpone as needed and call me in the morning...”

 

[Sedalia]

@benc I'm loving the table idea. I think you could probably get away with steel for the bumper proper and aluminum for the rest of the components for those times when you drag your rear bumper on the departure angle. Also, with the table, is there a way to level it when you may not be parked particularly level?

Yes, a "standard" steel bumper would be good, since the swingouts have most of the variability and innovations and I'll bet making and shipping bumper is a PITA. You could do well by making only swingouts that fit other popular bumpers.

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

Aaaaaaand you’re proving @Sedalia’s point nicely It appears there is a lot more demand than supply for 200 bumpers that aren’t ARB or TJM which is frustrating from the consumer’s perspective. No need to explain again as you guys have already done, but it’s a valid point he has. Even though I’d rather spend money at a small American business, I’m personally bringing in a bumper from Australia because I simply won’t wait for an unknown amount of time for a bespoke product.

To sum it up for me.... consumer demand does not always equal a worthwhile venture from my experience.

I know @benc has experienced this with one of his other designs. It's pretty disheartening and discouraging to spend hours upon hours to get nothing because "demand" persuaded you to do it.

I tried to bring in Kaymar, Outback Accessories and TGT from Australia and there was almost zero interest. This was not only for the 200 series but all others as well. Most said the price was too high, but were in the same price range +/- 15% as my offerings and most other offerings at the time.

Jason

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

I like that you take care of your mental health. As doctor says... “Postpone as needed and call me in the morning...”

No this is a physical health thing. I was sick a few weeks back and coughed so much that I dislocated two ribs. They were pretty well healed and we went into a old book store this past weekend and they had cats and I started sneezing it's back to square one.

IH8CATS

J

 

[mcgaskins]

To sum it up for me.... consumer demand does not always equal a worthwhile venture from my experience.

I tried to bring in Kaymar, Outback Accessories and TGT from Australia and there was almost zero interest. This was not only for the 200 series but all others as well. Most said the price was too high, but were in the same price range +/- 15% as my offerings and most other offerings at the time.

Jason

Catering to the 200 market is likely a precarious proposition for the vendors, so I appreciate what you, Ben, Christo, etc. do for the community. I don't think many people appreciate how "rare" the 200 is in the US. I pulled some data that shows 17,338 Merc G Wagens were sold in the US between 2013 and 2017, but there were only 15,732 Land Cruisers sold in the same period. On average only about 3k Land Cruisers (and a little bit higher number for the LX) are sold in the US per year, so it's not surprising to me the aftermarket is small and often custom. It does not change the fact that it's frustrating from a consumer's perspective the only reputable shops like the ones I just mentioned are so busy with work it can take months or longer to build a truck, and that's compounded for folks like me who change rigs frequently

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

Catering to the 200 market is likely a precarious proposition for the vendors, so I appreciate what you, Ben, Christo, etc. do for the community. I don't think many people appreciate how "rare" the 200 is in the US. I pulled some data that shows 17,338 Merc G Wagens were sold in the US between 2013 and 2017, but there were only 15,732 Land Cruisers sold in the same period. On average only about 3k Land Cruisers (and a little bit higher number for the LX) are sold in the US per year, so it's not surprising to me the aftermarket is small and often custom. It does not change the fact that it's frustrating from a consumer's perspective the only reputable shops like the ones I just mentioned are so busy with work it can take months or longer to build a truck, and that's compounded for folks like me who change rigs frequently

All my other 200 products stay very steady, no complaints there at all. They keep my stagnant times filled for sure.

J

 

[Markuson]

No this is a physical health thing. I was sick a few weeks back and coughed so much that I dislocated two ribs. They were pretty well healed and we went into a old book store this past weekend and they had cats and I started sneezing it's back to square one.

IH8CATS

J

Mental health was synonym for stress/workload.
Just glad you are able to adjust for your own sake with reasonable limitations. Good on you...

 

[Rigger]

I'm completely happy with my Slee 200 rear bumper. It was very expensive, but they have a well thought out and engineered product. The installation was superior as well.

X2

 

[Sedalia]

X2

Agreed X2, conversely, 2X the cost of the 2nd most expensive alternative. Seller's market.

 

[Markuson]

Agreed X2, conversely, 2X the cost of the 2nd most expensive alternative. Seller's market.

It’s expensive no doubt. But curious what you’re comparing to?

Bumpers are NOT created equally.
I’ve seen strong-looking rear bumpers from well-known, large companies (avoiding bashing here) bend BADLY at the wings...with far less strength/capacity in general. The most commonly installed alternative quite a ways north of half the cost of the Slee.

Slee also comes witg a built-in mod platform in the shape of a ladder...strong enough to attach just about anything...a super stout tire carrier with included hi-lift mount and inner Rotopax Mount...and overall strength to stop an 8klb rig with a tiny edge of one wing.

There are tons of cheaper alternatives to just about everything and there are definitely products I consider over-priced for what you get. But in all honesty, this is one case where I truly think you get what you pay for.

 

[Sedalia]

TVYes yes I won't dispute Slee quality of product or customer service.

Comparing it to any other bumper you can buy today, the next cheapest being half the cost. I can't speak for the 200 but I have crashed down m

y 80 very hard. No harm, but could literally buy three of these for the same price. Premium stuff can command premium prices, but as I said before: we can't have premium everything.

 

[Markuson]

No harm, but could literally buy three of these for the same price. Premium stuff can command premium prices, but as I said before: we can't have premium everything.

Slee is certainly pricier...But...
It’s not even close to 3x more.
It’s noteven 2x more.

The most comparable ARB = $3019

(Base bumper (swingout ready) $1795)
(Tire Carrier: $653)
(Single Jerry Can carrier: $571)

-That’s with no ladder, no hi-lift mount or additional mount points/options or spot for Rotopax or Maxtrax & nowhere near the strength. You DO get to choose right or left side (I’d gkadly swap tire-side on the Slee).

So price is much closer between those two.
Slee would have to be $9057 to be 3x!

If the OP wants to think about raw strength/protection without spending a ton, there are great alternatives that are (IMHO) still stronger than the rear ARB.
-TrailTailor
-RLC

—I’ve personally owned ARB front, ARB rear (100series), TJM T13 (200 front), two different Slee rears (100 series Slee and 200 series Slee), and have wheeled hard directly behind RLC, TT and tons of ARBs taking really hard hits. So my personal impressions are from driving, or seeing them first hand taking some pretty rough hits.

Opinion alert-

All of them are adequate, but (I feel) there are clear raw-strength differences.

(Referring to rear *strength* only)
I’d rank them:
-Slee
-Trail Tailor
-RLC
-then ARB

Weird bc the ARB FRONT is super strong. Rear just isn’t on par with their front, and I think most wheeling owners would agree with that basic assessment. Do you need more strength that that? Man, I don’t know. I know I do & I’m lucky mine was stronger to a number of occasions.

Price ranking is a very different order than raw strength though—
PRICE High-to-low:
-Slee
-ARB
-TrailTailor
-RLC

Personally I think the TT and RLC rears are *AMAZING* deals for what you get.
Plus, Jason at @TRAIL TAILOR and (pretty sure) RLC will customize to your needs!

1.5 cents OOMV...

 

[Steve1]

So on these modular arms, is the tire height adjustable? Nice full-time camera rig one poster had setup a few posts back, but that is a bit extreme if most of your driving is on-road. If the swing out arm could mount the tire so the top is lower than the bottom of the window you could 'have your cake and eat it too' (a 40 gallon aux. tank and no loss in visibility)

 

[KLF]

There's no way a tire would fit back there without blocking the camera. The camera is too low, and too wide angle view.