Just how strong are the stock bumpers? Anyone weld in a hitch receiver?

chudlet said:
Thanks for the follow up. Some cool ideas on the reinforcement and I really like your welding setup. Might have to incorporate that in my space :unsure:
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Thx. I went into the project with guarded optimism but had the concerns you shared. In the end, it was still time well spent on welding practice. The set up works pretty well. Its practical and reasonably safe from a fire and fumes standpoint, I think. I'd love to have the space for more metal working tools though.
 
Woodrow said:
Thx. I went into the project with guarded optimism but had the concerns you shared. In the end, it was still time well spent on welding practice. The set up works pretty well. Its practical and reasonably safe from a fire and fumes standpoint, I think. I'd love to have the space for more metal working tools though.
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LOL wouldn't we all?
 
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How about some metal to tie in the rear edges?

BD2740E6-DB48-430A-93D7-8EB458154214.jpeg
 
Your still running into the problem
Vtx531 said:
How about some metal to tie in the rear edges?

View attachment 363068
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Your still running into the problem that the whole rear bumper is really thin metal, so the twisting force would move to just outside of where ever you re-enforced the bumper unless you re-enforce the whole thing and then your right back to, why not start with thicker metal to begin with? You can do it, but it turns into an exercise of futility.
 
chudlet said:
Your still running into the problem


Your still running into the problem that the whole rear bumper is really thin metal, so the twisting force would move to just outside of where ever you re-enforced the bumper unless you re-enforce the whole thing and then your right back to, why not start with thicker metal to begin with? You can do it, but it turns into an exercise of futility.
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Wouldn't it resist the twist more than twice as much because it would have to flex the top surface and the bottom surface?
 
Vtx531 said:
Wouldn't it resist the twist more than twice as much because it would have to flex the top surface and the bottom surface?
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Sure, but it is relative. When you look at a purpose built hitch using a cross bar like that, they start out with tube with a 1/4"- 3/8" or thicker wall. The sock rear bumper is less than 1/8 wall and it is a C channel (ish). Ie it is not a structural type of C, it is bent to that shape. Which is great for designed crushing as a bumper, but not as a structural member to resist bending or twisting. It's just not up to the task that is being asked of it. Hope that helps.
 
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