Aluminum Rear bumper with Rigd Tire swing out? Thoughts?

[Endle55_5earch]

Hey guys! I'm thinking of running a Hefty Fab Works Aluminum rear bumper with a Rigd Tire swing out.

Reasons:
1) To keep the hatch free of a spare tire for my wife when we're doing the day-to-day norm (soccer, groceries, Lowe's runs, etc).
2) Keep weight down when daily driving.
3) When "overlanding" carry the full sized spare on the carrier and put fuel cans in the spare wheel well using Trailed Online fuel cans: Universal 6 Gallon "Spare" Tank (2-Pack) | Trail'd
4) I don't want to commit to swing arms that can't be removed and a spare tire that blocks the rear window for daily driving.
5) The Rigd tire carrier blocks less of the rear window, places the tire in the rear center (which seems to balance out the T4R better), and has a lower center of gravity.

Anyone running this setup? Please chime in if you do. In my head this seems like the way to go but I want someone with experience to let me know the reality of this setup. Thanks for your time!

 

[jp.vegas]

Trying to understand what the bumper buys you in this scenario. From a weight standpoint, the OEM bumper is lighter. From an impact or clearance standpoint, the Rigd carrier in the OEM hitch is going to hit stuff before the bumper does.

 

[Jpilot]

That sounds like a fantastic idea. You've got my head thinking here. Methinks I may do the same. Thanks! :reddance:

 

[Endle55_5earch]

Trying to understand what the bumper buys you in this scenario. From a weight standpoint, the OEM bumper is lighter. From an impact or clearance standpoint, the Rigd carrier in the OEM hitch is going to hit stuff before the bumper does.

The bumper will give me general protection for when I'm off-roading locally and for the Publix parking lot :laugh: If I'm wheeling locally, I should be able to keep my 285/70/17's in the spare wheel well.

The tire carrier will be for when i'm headed out of town; when I'm headed out to more remote areas, I'll throw the spare on the tire carrier, and use 2x trailed 6-gallon fuel canisters that fit in the spare wheel well. (Trailed 6-Gallon fuel canisters: Universal 6 Gallon "Spare" Tank (2-Pack) | Trail'd )

 

[bigair96]

Do the rigd by itself for a while. You will like it but it tends to be a stepping stone to a full bumper. I've had the wilco for a year and decked it out with a table and everything. Was hoping an aluminum bumper would come out that works with a ladder but never happened. Love my wilco but ordered a c4 due around Xmas. The hitch mounted ones are nice but too much work to take on and off and eventually the more permanent solution is nice but way more expensive.

 

[ST_Jim]

Trailed Online tanks are FDA approved for drinking water. But near the bottom their web page says “These tanks are NOT certified for fuel storage and voids all warrantee and return claims.”

Are people using them for gas successfully?

 

[Endle55_5earch]

Do the rigd by itself for a while. You will like it but it tends to be a stepping stone to a full bumper. I've had the wilco for a year and decked it out with a table and everything. Was hoping an aluminum bumper would come out that works with a ladder but never happened. Love my wilco but ordered a c4 due around Xmas. The hitch mounted ones are nice but too much work to take on and off and eventually the more permanent solution is nice but way more expensive.

I'll most likely be running the Rigd for awhile before ordering the Hefty Fab rear bumper anyways. Probably because it'll take 2-3 months to fab :dance:

One reason I don't want a permanent spare on the back is so my wife can access the hatch easier (she has weak hands due to a condition). Before taking a big trip I can throw on the Rigd Hitch Carrier for the spare and tuck some Trailed Fuel Canisters in the spare wheel well.

 

[Endle55_5earch]

Trailed Online tanks are FDA approved for drinking water. But near the bottom their web page says “These tanks are NOT certified for fuel storage and voids all warrantee and return claims.”

Are people using them for gas successfully?

Here's an article from someone who's used them for 500-miles offroad as a back-up fuel source: Trailed 6-Gallon "Spare" Tank Overview & DIY Guide For 5th Gen 4Runner

 

[Mutant138]

TBH if you are going to go for a full bumper I would get a swing out and call it a day.

If you aren't going on technical enough trails that you aren't already ripping up your rear end then just get the rigid but seeing as you have nerf bars I doubt that's the case. No point in wasting all the money and weight just to look cool. Unless you are that financially blessed... in which case you should get the swingout on the full bumper.

 

[Endle55_5earch]

TBH if you are going to go for a full bumper I would get a swing out and call it a day.

If you aren't going on technical enough trails that you aren't already ripping up your rear end then just get the rigid but seeing as you have nerf bars I doubt that's the case. No point in wasting all the money and weight just to look cool. Unless you are that financially blessed... in which case you should get the swingout on the full bumper.

Yeah, I may be overthinking it a bit but still can't convince myself it's not a good idea. Just thinking about my wife having easy access to the hatch because she has weak hands; having a fixed swing out might be to heavy for her to handle and being able to remove it when remaining local sounds convenient.

Nerf bars are gone my fellow Fiend... replaced them with Slee Sliders last month:

 

[Sundy]

What about finding a rear bumper with a removable swing out? Maybe this can be done on the Hefty? If it was me I'd want that swing out mounted as stout as possible and the ability to have it all in one package.

The aluminum/steel rear and no swings look nice but don't make sense to me. If you could remove when not wheeling that would be the best of both worlds I'd think!

 

[Endle55_5earch]

What about finding a rear bumper with a removable swing out? Maybe this can be done on the Hefty? If it was me I'd want that swing out mounted as stout as possible and the ability to have it all in one package.

The aluminum/steel rear and no swings look nice but don't make sense to me. If you could remove when not wheeling that would be the best of both worlds I'd think!

I've actually thought about this with a C4 Fab. It has a Single Swing arm, with a centered tire, that I've seen people remove when trying to keep the hatch clear when not offroading. However, I'd like to keep the car as light as possible while keeping the spare centered. Here's the numbers:

C4 Fab Rear Bumper w/ Swing Arm: 235lbs
Hefty Rear Bumper w/ Rigd Carrier: 113lbs (Bumper= 48lbs | Carrier= 65lbs)

If Hefty Fab Works had a single swing arm, that kept the tire centered, that I could remove I would go with that option.

 

[bigair96]

LFD is steel but made to take the swing arms off quickly.

 

[Endle55_5earch]

LFD is steel but made to take the swing arms off quickly.

I'll check em out. Thanks!

 

[Mutant138]

Yeah, I may be overthinking it a bit but still can't convince myself it's not a good idea. Just thinking about my wife having easy access to the hatch because she has weak hands; having a fixed swing out might be to heavy for her to handle and being able to remove it when remaining local sounds convenient.

Nerf bars are gone my fellow Fiend... replaced them with Slee Sliders last month:

Ahh well. Get a bumper with a removable carrier? Good compromise.

I’ve kinda torn mine up but I don’t really want the weight either. I go back and fourth on it every day.

 

[sn_85]

If ease of access is the main concern I'd consider getting a single half swing bumper. Victory 4x4 has a modular bumper that you can add swing arms over time as needed.

 

[Endle55_5earch]

If ease of access is the main concern I'd consider getting a single half swing bumper. Victory 4x4 has a modular bumper that you can add swing arms over time as needed.

I have so many concerns: weight, hatch accessibility, a centered tire carrier. I think my only option is an Aluminum Bumper with a hitch tire swing :/