Front End Grill/Brush Guard

[Dan_Frisbie]

I see so many videos of people brake checking cars, trucks and big rigs that it's scary. A dashcam can determine fault, but that doesn't help when you front end is mashed in, so I want to add some protection.
I have a 2017 Georgetown (gasser) and can't seem to find anyone that manufactures a front grill/brush guard.

If I can't find one, who else is interested? If I have one made, I can have more...
I'm in NW Florida

 

[MemoriesByTheMile]

I have seen acrylic bug guards on class A units, but never a HD bumper.
There is a fabricator in Ontario Canada that custom makes bumpers for trucks - Mik Mak Fabricators.
Wonder if they could design one for a class A. The bumpers Mik Mak makes are not known for being light weight.
We have one on our Super C and to say it is “very solid” would be an understatement. They don’t seem to be kidding when they call it a “Moose Bumper”.

 

[AbdRahim]

I asked my mechanic about these years ago, since they attach to the frame of a truck. His response was then you only damage the frame when you hit something substantial. I asked a police officer who had one on his car. He said its only real utility was for pushing cars.

In a class A one has to drive for you and everyone around you.

 

[Dan_Frisbie]

I asked my mechanic about these years ago, since they attach to the frame of a truck. His response was then you only damage the frame when you hit something substantial. I asked a police officer who had one on his car. He said its only real utility was for pushing cars.

In a class A one has to drive for you and everyone around you.

As a mechanic, I realize that hitting something with enough force to damage the frame will, in fact, damage the frame with or without a grill guard.
However, on a Class A MH with a very fragile front facia, it is quite easy to damage the body work without enough impact force to cause framed damage.
I also know how to drive.
A lot of people actually cause accidents with big vehicles for insurance payouts or to rob the occupants.

 

[AbdRahim]

A lot of people actually cause accidents with big vehicles for insurance payouts or to rob the occupants.

This is most unfortunate, but true. It takes so much more energy and vigilance to drive these tan when driving a car.

No offense to any lawyers on here, but those lawyer tv ads showing people get millions of dollars from such accidents seem to encourage such behavior.

But back to the subject, I have never seen one of these on a class A anywhere.

 

[Rich W.]

I have seen acrylic bug guards on class A units, but never a HD bumper.
There is a fabricator in Ontario Canada that custom makes bumpers for trucks - Mik Mak Fabricators.
Wonder if they could design one for a class A. The bumpers Mik Mak makes are not known for being light weight.
We have one on our Super C and to say it is “very solid” would be an understatement. They don’t seem to be kidding when they call it a “Moose Bumper”.

Got a pic of that?

 

[Rollin Ollen]

I also know how to drive.
A lot of people actually cause accidents with big vehicles for insurance payouts or to rob the occupants.

I don't think you were being accused of not knowing how to drive. I think he was just re-stating the mantra that anyone driving more that just a standard auto has to be more observant. Reaction times are critical as stopping and accident avoidance becomes increasingly more difficult driving heavier vehicles.

Our first trip to Mexico was a bit nerve racking as we succumbed to the media misinformation that people would be jumping in front of our "out of country" vehicle to collect insurance awards. We got Dash Cams and drove extremely careful. It was a bunch of baloney. We have visited Mexico quite often and have never had a problem. Nor have we ever been brake checked in all the years we have been RVing including the last seven years where we have been full timing. That's not to say that we still don't drive cautiously.

I understand where you are coming from though. It's better to be safe than sorry. If someone does brake check you and your rig sustains damage not only are you stuck trying to provide evidence that you are not at fault and then there is the added discomfort of having the damage repaired and all that goes with that.

I am of the opinion that if such a situation does occur, and the damage to the coach is only superficial, we can still carry on our way and let our insurer deal with the mess. We will always have dash cam evidence to back our innocence. We can have the repairs completed at our leisure, Should the damage be more severe then a cosmetic problem, then a grill guard would not help matters anyway. The coach would still be out of commission for what ever time it would take to get one back on the road. I just don't see where a grill guard would eliminate any of the inconvenience unless you were willing to live with minor damage to the guard in the event of such an incident.

If a grill guard gives you peace of mind, then by all means, have one built and don't worry about what anyone else thinks. Life is short. Enjoy it while you can.

Safe travels
Darrell

 

[MemoriesByTheMile]

Got a pic of that?

This is a pic of our Mik Mak Moose bumper.
The aluminum flat plate is 1/2” thick, the tubes are “thick tubes” and are inserted into cutouts into the large vertical members, then welded into place.
The entire bumper is hinged and mounted to a 1/2” steel plate that is attached to the front of the 2 main frame rails.
This isn’t going anywhere and is built to a whole different level than the pickup truck brush guards.

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

Here ya' go. When we have self driving motorhomes this will be useful...maybe.

 

[MemoriesByTheMile]

I think I will need to upgrade the front axle to a heavier rated unit.

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

I think I will need to upgrade the front axle to a heavier rated unit.

That thought also occurred to me since some motorhomes are already close to their front axle weight limit, and then you hang a bumper that weighs several hundred pounds. Ups!

 

[MemoriesByTheMile]

This place down under appears to make bull bar bumpers for class A.

Bus or Motor Homes Bullbars

Barworld Bull Bars are available for any make and model of motor home from a old leyland to a luxury modern day motor home. The best custom designs from experienced fabricators of the company provide

www.barworld-vic.com.au

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

I can see it now, @sheridany will have one on his Prevost.

 

[Dan_Frisbie]

I want to avoid this!

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Don't worry, be happy!

I know frame machines are out there for light duty vehicles! What I don't know is if they make them for larger vehicles, and how a bent frame would effect body anchor points!

When I cared bent frames ment "totaled"!

So my point!

A brush guard/moose guard is mounted to the frame, and frame is not Reinforced!

Hummmm!

 

[MemoriesByTheMile]

There are frame shops for class 8 trucks. Many of these frame shops are the same places where many class 8 trucks and other large vehicles get alignments.
Many of these shops are also doing alignments on trailers, since trailer axles need to be bent to be corrected.

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

You don't need to worry if you hit something hard enough to bend the frame; it will be totaled. The fiberglass walls, the roof, and the floor will be buckled, cracked, etc.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

You don't need to worry if you hit something hard enough to bend the frame; it will be totaled. The fiberglass walls, the roof, and the floor will be buckled, cracked, etc.

That only applies until you add a brush guard. Then the force goes directly to the frame. Sometimes I leave the conclusion to the people I address!

 

[Joe Hogan]

If you must add a Bull Bar, here is an effective design that will keep people from Brake Checking you

 

[Kevin D Pem]

If you must add a Bull Bar, here is an effective design that will keep people from Brake Checking you

View attachment 26273

And it makes a great statement!!!