Here from 1906, bumpers were meant to make cars safer for the pedestrians and also more durable. The quality of bumpers has continued to go plastic from year to year making them less equipped for their original purpose. The regulations by NTHSA and other safety agencies enforce the requirements for bumpers. A good look at the bumpers will reveal quite a great deal of advantages with some cons as well.
Pros
This is the primary purpose of steel bumpers. Steel bumpers are strong and specifically coated to beat the weather and scratches. They cannot be dented by a minor collision with an animal or undergrowth. The cost of replacing your bumper after a few years is also eliminated.
Accommodates more supporting features
Adding a winch to steel bumpers makes it more effective and it is quite easy with the drilled holes. You can also add a light for better off-road visibility and tour hooks.
General appearance
The bull front bar bumpers are complementary to the general appearance of your truck. The car looks smart and takes more roads.
Off-road driving safety
The radiator, headlamps and the bumper generally take the greatest hit when driving offroad. Steel bumpers effectively flatten the undergrowth for you making your drive quite smooth.
Others include:
. The higher bumper offers better chassis security and protects pedestrians.
. Easy to install
. Absorbs shock better
. Available in many styles for convenience
. Associated with good car quality
Heavy
The weight is between 40 to 60 kilograms making the vehicle to use more fuel and harder to control.
Shifts the shock impact point
The shock impact point of your car is pushed closer to vital chassis sections as the bars are installed deeper on the front to be more stable. This destroys the engine more on collision.
Driver safety
Airbag deployment is greatly affected by the high steel bars. This makes it unsafe for the driver as the airbag may jam or not launch at all on impact.
Other disadvantages
. Hard to install on your own
. Quite expensive to replace
. A dent cannot be easily repaired
Whatever your reason for installing a bumper on your car, a stainless steel bumper is still a great way to get started. The cost of repairs every time you hit an animal or a small object is higher than the cost of the bumper.