At 03:36 PM 9/07/2003 -0400, you wrote:

>From:    "rmstewart@mac.com" <rmstewart@MAC.COM>
>Subject: Re: Rear-Ended !! / Tube bumpers
>
> > Anyone ever purchase and install those large tube bumpers and rear/front =
>end
> > (Like the ones used on SUV=B9s that cover the front end with large
> steel ro=
>und
> > tubes)
> > I saw someone was selling those a website not to long ago.
> >=20
> > I have always wondered if there practical enough to purchase, ie is the w=
>eight
> > worth the protection, does it really protect the van or just cause more d=
>amage
> > when your hit?

   Well I for one can attest to the value of having a rear tube style
bumper....
   I still have the original type steel bumper,but mounted behind that
   (as in facing rear-wards) is a tubular steel protection bar that
incorporates
   a tow bar (trailer hitch to most of you) and extra tubing to afford the rear
   lights some extra protection.It's painted black so it fits in quite
nicely...

   These rear protection bars were a commonly available after-market item
   for the T3 in Australia.Variations for the T2 and T4 also exist.

   Anyway....some years back,my wife was driving home from work when
   she stopped and was hit from behind by a bus full of bloody tourists.
   Driver not keeping a safe distance as usual...
   I don't know exactly what speed the coach was still doing when it hit
her but
   it was sufficient to push the van forward (luckily her foot was on the
clutch)
   and also give her a very sore neck (and a few days off work)

   The protection bar is not directly mounted to the bumper,but instead is
   connected to the body up under the rear body panel by curving down under
   the back of the van and exhaust system then up again to mount where the
   bumper mounts to the chassis....if you know what I mean...?

   The force of the collision bent the protection bar back onto the bumper and
   the bumper was damaged too but the bar took the force out of the impact
   so that there was absolutely no body or paint damage.The bumper was left
   missing the body by literally about 2mm.
   The bumper and protection bar had to be replaced,paid for by the owners of
   the bus company but because of the way the rear protection bar was
   designed,it bent in and partly sideways,but took the whole sting out of
   the collision.

   Without it,the whole rear of the van would have been damaged to some
   extent and I'm sure the rear hatch would never again have been water-tight.
   No mechanical damaged was evident at the time nor has come to light
   in the years since.
   I have no doubt as to the potential effectiveness of this kind of additional
   rear end protection.

   Cheers,
   Steve O
   NSW Australia
   '92 Transporter WBX Kombi
   '00 Transporter Double Cab
   '03 Transporter Double Cab (work truck)