A key feature of all off road vehicles is a bumper that is more pronounced and prominent than in regular cars. While having a bumper is not unique to off road vehicles, the bumpers installed on them are a lot sturdier.
However, a type of bumper quite more unique to off road vehicles is the winch bumper. This is a type of bumper within which you can fit a winch.
At a Glance
Benefits of a Winch Bumper
A regular bumper offers quite a lot of benefits. But if you are an avid off roader, you might need more than the regular benefits; benefits which a winch bunler can supply.
Protection on the Car
All bumpers serve a primary purpose, which is to provide a layer of protection on your car – especially around the hood, which contains most of the important parts of the car. The pre-installed bumper on an ATV or a Jeep is usually tougher and bigger than the ones on a domestic car. These off road bumpers are engineered to withstand considerably more force than other bumpers. Without a bhmper, the hood of your vehicle is exposed and more vulnerable to damage.
Since there are significantly more risk of damage on an off road trip than on on “civilized” road, you need the tougher and heavier protection an off road bumper and a winch bumper offers.
Protection on the Winch
A pre-installed off road bumper and a winch bumper differ in one thing: the winch bumper can house a winch. A winch bumper goes beyond protecting the vehicle. It also protects the winch encased in it. Yes, that may be the only difference between a winch bumper and your regular pre installed bumper, but that is a big difference, game changer even.
True off roaders know just how much of an investment a winch is. It is a very handy tool. It gives you confidence, grants you convenience, and just generally makes the off road trip more fun. Winches also fetch quite a price, no doubt. The price of a winch, coupled with its usefulness, makes it an investment worth protecting.
A winch bumper gives you that extra layer of protection for your winch. It protects it from direct force, from debris and from the elements. It also offers a bit of protection to the winch cable from UV rays and damaging particles. Whether you are using a synthetic rope or a steel wire cable, the winch bumper helps protect it.
A winch bumper may be the difference between the winch lasting a few years and it lasting for a much longer time.
A Bolder, Stronger, and Tougher Look
I am not sure about you, but I like my off road vehicle looking macho. Some of the most common traits among off road vehicles are that they usually have a powerful motor, rugged tires, and a seemingly armored body. They look muscular; they do not look sleek like luxury cars or drag racing cars.
A winch bumper gives your vehicle a bolder, stronger, and tougher look than what a regular bumper does. Sure, that is not a very practical benefit. But anything that wows any local bystander or a fellow off roader is a good benefit in my book.
How to Choose a Winch Bumper
There are a few considerations you have to make in order to make the most out of your winch bumper purchase. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of winch bumper models available in the market. To help you get started on choosing the winch bumper for your needs, here are a few useful pointers.
The winch bumper must have an ideal winch mounting option.
If you want to maximize your purchasing efforts, try to buy a winch in which you can easily mount a winch, for convenience’s sake. Although a winch bumper protects the winch from debris, there will inevitably still be some particles that will make it into the winch. You want a winch bumper that allows you to easily mount and dismount the winch for maintenance.
Your winch must have a snug fit.
You can buy winch bumpers that have a universal fit and mounting pattern. This means that a wide variety of winches can fit into them. However, you want a winch bumper that fits your winch as snugly as possible. Having a bumper that offers a lot of room for your winch increases the chances of more debris getting into its frame.
The winch bumper must be easy to install.
Here is another point of convenience: the bumper, preferably, must be easy to install. No one wants to do rocket science just to install a bumper. Get a bumper that requires minimal mechanical skills, has a clear, simple and understandable manual, does not need alien tools or brain wracking mathematics, and does not need you to offer sacrifices to unknown deities just to be installed.
The winch bumper must be protected.
A winch bumper can’t provide sufficient protection if it is not capable of taking damages itself. It would be absurd; it will be more of a fashion statement, an ornamental piece, rather than a useful upgrade.
Look for features that enable the bumper to withstand damage. Is the material tough? Does it have rusting and corrosion protection? Usually, bumpers are made of steel. Check how thick that steel is. Also examine if it has any protection against corrosion, protection such as zinc plating or black powder coating.
The winch bumper must be affordable.
Yes, a winch bumper is an investment. Yes, it should be the best YOUR money can buy. Not all of us have tons of cash lying around, gathering dust in our holiday resthouse (not even all of us have a resthouse). Buy a winch bumper that is within your budget.
Most of the time, high quality bumpers are quite expensive. But there are options that provide great value at low costs. Other options are to buy a used bumper. They may be a little worse for wear, but some secondhand winch bumpers still have more to offer than their low prices imply.
Recommendations for a Winch Bumper for Jeeps
Here are my picks for the top 5 winch bumpers for Jeeps.
- E-Autogrilles 51-0328 EAG 07-18
- Smittybilt 76807 XRC Gen 2
- Restyling Factory Black Textured Front Bumper
- Razer Rock Crawler Front Bumper
- Havoc Offroad GEN 2 Wrecking Ball Mid Width Front Bumper
For a more detailed look into these recommendations, visit this page.
The Final Say
True off roaders take pride in utilizing a winch bumper. It is a practical investment. The protection it offers and its general vibe captures the spirit of off road adventures. Buying a winch bumper is one of the best actions you can take for your car, your winch, and yourself.
What do you think? Do you think that winch bumpers are well worth the expense? Which winch bumpers would you suggest? Comment your say in the topic below!
