4" square tubing bumper

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4" square tubing bumper

Postby wilhansen » Mon Jul 24, 2017 12:43 pm

Hey folks!

I finished renovating a 1973 Roadrunner trailer, and one of the only things left to do is to replace the rear bumper on the trailer. It's rusted out and nearly falling off - so it is a bit liability right now. 4" square, but I'm not sure what gauge the steel typically is on these bumpers. I want it to be strong enough to carry camp wood and a bike rack, but obviously not thicker than it needs to be!

I've found steel tubing companies online, where I can order the length that I need (7'6"), in different gauges. I'd rather not have a local RV company do it, I know they'll charge twice as much for the tubing and $$$$$$$$ in labor. What could be a couple hundred bucks for me to do myself, would easily turn into $1,000 for them to do it.

Any ideas?
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Re: 4" square tubing bumper

Postby MtnDon » Mon Jul 24, 2017 1:03 pm

RV bumpers are normally 4 x 4, 14 gauge steel; 0.080". That allows the use of the plugin rubber ends and is strong enough for carrying bikes / wood. Do you have a metalsupermarket near you?
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Re: 4" square tubing bumper

Postby greygoos » Mon Jul 24, 2017 1:24 pm

4 X 4 Vinyl fence post available at HD and Lowes. The rubber ends fit on them. Fill it with expanding foam. Drill a few holes and fasten it to the trailer with carriage bolts.
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Re: 4" square tubing bumper

Postby wilhansen » Wed Jul 26, 2017 2:02 pm

Checked with Metal Supermarket - they only make the 4" square with .12" thickness. Which is fine with me, but I'm worried my drain tube and caps won't fit with the smaller inside diameter?
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Re: 4" square tubing bumper

Postby Dale M. » Thu Jul 27, 2017 7:56 am

Try measuring you existing bumper for thickness before making any decision...

If existing bumper is .080 and new material is .120, you are only talking about a inside dimension that is .080 smaller...

It would be 3.840 vs 3.760... The difference is only .080 or less then 3/32 inch (actually 2/25)..

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Re: 4" square tubing bumper

Postby wilhansen » Thu Jul 27, 2017 3:26 pm

I would measure, but it's so rusted out that the thickness is minimal...

I called several companies and they all mentioned that .120 was pretty standard these days and that nobody in town here carries a .08.

I think it will work out fine. :)
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