Rear bumper with only ladder swingout - no tire mount

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mcgaskins

mcgaskins

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Nov 3, 2007
Threads
103
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4,452
Location
Denver, CO
I am considering a rear bumper, but for daily driving and rear vision concerns think I might want to skip having a rear tire carrier. I am going to be mounting a roof top tent however and would like a ladder on the rear bumper for being able to access the tent without carrying a folding ladder in the back of the truck. I'm also thinking that I would remove the bumper ladder swing out for several months of the year when I'm not using it for camping.

Has anyone ever run just a ladder swing out? Does it look dumb? I think that a bumper fully kitted with tire, antenna, ladder, jerry cans, etc. looks really cool, but I wouldn't want to deal with all that stuff on a daily basis for groceries, gear and stuff. The dual swing outs can be a pain - yes I've had them in the past - and I just don't think the added cost is worth it. I also like the idea of keeping the center of gravity lower and more towards the middle of the truck instead of hanging it higher and further back.
 
KlausVanWinkle said:
Don't get the swing out and just get the OEM ladder?
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I thought about that too. It seems that the OEM version is kinda tough to come by, and looks to be only about $100-$150 less than the bumper add on. I'm not sure it would be as sturdy as well, but I haven't seen an OEM one in person.
 
Removing the swingouts is a good idea for a daily driver. I had dual swingouts on my 80 and the wife couldn't even open them and grew to hate the cruiser.
 
Order a bumper with double swingouts for the flexibility you will have... Keep them off around town if you don't want to deal with opening them constantly; leave one or both off, whatever... If you take a long range trip (Cruiser Moab, 100 in the Hills, trail trip outside the state, etc) you will appreciate the double swingout setup and ability to carry a full size spare tire with you...
 
You're buying a BIOR bumper right? Easy peasy... get the ladder and tire carrier and 2 spare sleeves. Install the sleeves for DDing for easy access to the back. Install the tire and or ladder for trips.

IMO that's one of the biggest benefits of the BIOR...the flexibility to run it how you like. And, FWIW, you can open the tire swingout with one hand.
 
fireball said:
You're buying a BIOR bumper right? Easy peasy... get the ladder and tire carrier and 2 spare sleeves. Install the sleeves for DDing for easy access to the back. Install the tire and or ladder for trips. IMO that's one of the biggest benefits of the BIOR...the flexibility to run it how you like. And, FWIW, you can open the tire swingout with one hand.
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that's how I'm ordering mine. I have to street park the 100 everyday. Loading the back with dual swingouts in the city would suck.
 
mcgaskins said:
I also like the idea of keeping the center of gravity lower ....
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The RTT should help that. ;)

I'm gonna have to start spending some dough if I still want to be your twin. :D

:cheers:
 
This is one of the reasons I like my ARB rear bumper- I just have the jerry can swing-out, and can open the hatch without swinging it open, it goes right over it. Plus the latch is easy enough that my kids can open it. I don't think it would look lame at all to run just a ladder... you could obviously add a jerry can holder to that side as well.

My spare stays down below, 255 85 16 or 285 75 16 fits just fine down there, protected by the bumper or receiver hitch. If you go high clearance bumper, then you may have to jack that spare cross member up a little to compensate?
 
Fitzgerald said:
The RTT should help that. ;)

I'm gonna have to start spending some dough if I still want to be your twin. :D

:cheers:
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LOL I realized the irony when I said "keep the COG low...and add a RTT". And I've been saving since I missed the last group buys on bumpers and RTTs last spring..so I'm ready this time around :D
 
nakman said:
This is one of the reasons I like my ARB rear bumper- I just have the jerry can swing-out, and can open the hatch without swinging it open, it goes right over it. Plus the latch is easy enough that my kids can open it. I don't think it would look lame at all to run just a ladder... you could obviously add a jerry can holder to that side as well.

My spare stays down below, 255 85 16 or 285 75 16 fits just fine down there, protected by the bumper or receiver hitch. If you go high clearance bumper, then you may have to jack that spare cross member up a little to compensate?
Click to expand...

Totally agree. I have no problem keeping my spare down there since it fits just fine. I haven't done the mod to pick it up a couple inches yet, but I'd definitely be willing to when adding the bumper back there. I think that unlatching a big tire swingout several times a week while parallel parking downtown where I live now would get old quick, and I know my girlfriend would find it super annoying.

To answer an earlier question, I'm planning to get this RTT and access it from the rear bumper/ladder: http://www.cascadiatents.com/index.php?m=94&s=594&c=&id=122&page=1
 
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