Hi Troy,

That's my Titan Red Westy on the Van Caf�'s web site with the new Van Caf�
BIG bumpers (aka Rocky Mountain Westy Twin Peaks bumpers).  I have never
owned a set of GW bumper so I cannot make a true and accurate comparison.

My pros and cons:

Pros
They look and feel heavier/stronger than the GW bumpers I seen and touched.
(check out the RMW videos on YouTube!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXP3cqfkEus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sKcEEhq6uc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvsurvK0sCc&feature=related

The rear bumper has a built in step that's a bit easier to get my foot up to
than the main section and is perfect for reaching the roof and for kneeling
on while working in the engine compartment.

The front bumper is wide enough for my size 11 foot to stand comfortably on
to reach into the luggage rack and strong enough to support my manly weigh
without distortion or movement of any kind.

RMW offers some very nice bolt-on accessories like tow hooks, a swing away
spare tire carrier and gerry can or cooking/grilling shelf. (Maybe someday)
  
They come in sections that allow for less expensive shipping.

If I were to somehow damage my bumpers I can easily replace/repair just the
damaged section (s), not the entire bumper.

Cons
I don't particularly care for the bright stainless steel hardware that comes
with RMW's bumpers.

The hardware is very high quality BUT it is SAE, not metric (pet peeve). 
 
You must drill two additional mounting holes when installing the front
mounting brackets.  This was not difficult for me but it might be for
others.

There's no pre-drilled holes for mounting a front license plate (required in
WA State).  I am capable of drilling these holes BUT I would have preferred
that the plate holes were power coated during the manufacturing process.  
End cons

I learned a few things regarding the installation process that were not in
the original instructions.  Nothing big but I'm fussy. To me the pros
greatly outweigh the cons and I have no regrets.  

I have a few additional photos that are not on the Van Caf� web site if
anyone is interested (p-mail please).  

Andrew

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Troy
Sent: Wednesday, January 12, 2011 1:26 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Bumpers

Was just looking at the new "big bumpers" from Van Cafe' and then comparing
them to Go Westy's bumpers.  There's a several hundred dollar price
difference.  Does anyone care to comment on the relative advantages of one
over the other?  Considering my location, the Van Cafe' bumpers, despite
there higher price, may actually work out cheaper because of shipping. Any
disadvantages to the Go Westy bumpers? Sounds like some minor cutting of the
van is required.

Troy