Bumper Stumped!!!!

[doonoak]

I backed into a hidden stump a while back and bent my rear bumper on my 1999 Coleman Cheyenne! The damage wasn't that bad the black plastic corner part was slightly bent and the metal bumper could be easly pulled back into place until... before I could get around to fixing it I was stupid and in a hurry to pull my boat out of the garage and it's wheel caught the edge of the Black plastic bumper corner part pulling it out and cracking it in half! I have been trying to look online for a replacement because I do not want to have the dealership fix it or pay a stupid deductable with my insurance! Any one have any ideas how I can obtain a less costly replacement to it. Any feed back would be welcome:eyecrazy:

[Old Goat]

When our 01 Niagara was new I backed it into a stump at a campsite out in Oklahoma. The right end of the bumper was bent in a bit and the black plastic trim on the end was broken. These bumpers will bend easily and can not be straightened because the thin metal stretches so much when bent, even slightly. They are for looks only. I solved the problem by making a new one using a piece of finished  red oak which was 6" wide and 7/8" thick. After cutting to proper length, I put a slight radius on each end then rounded all edges with a 3/8" router. I cut and drilled two pieces of 1" angle iron and bolted them to the right and left outside edge of the box frame, flush with the ends. I made a filler block to go on the inside of the box frame at the ends so that it would not collapse when bolts were tightened. Wood bumper was then bolted to the angle with two 5/16 carriage bolts on each side. Two coats of black urethane gloss paint made it look real professional and I got a lot of compliments on it. Could'nt use the black plastic trim with the new bumper and it was never missed. I have also seen other bumpers on popups that were made with treated pine and other lumber and they are all much stronger than the original tin can bumpers....

[Tim5055]

I backed into a hidden stump a while back and bent my rear bumper on my 1999 Coleman Cheyenne! The damage wasn't that bad the black plastic corner part was slightly bent and the metal bumper could be easly pulled back into place until... before I could get around to fixing it I was stupid and in a hurry to pull my boat out of the garage and it's wheel caught the edge of the Black plastic bumper corner part pulling it out and cracking it in half! I have been trying to look online for a replacement because I do not want to have the dealership fix it or pay a stupid deductable with my insurance! Any one have any ideas how I can obtain a less costly replacement to it. Any feed back would be welcome:eyecrazy:

On line won't help, Coleman PU parts are only sold by Coleman dealers.

On our 3rd trip (see trip report for photo) with our 2001 Santa Fe I did something similar and required a new bumper & 2 plastic end caps.

From the dealer all three parts were less than $40.  As it was in 2001 the memory is a little fuzzy, but the bumper was held on with 4 bolts and the end caps are pop riveted into place (the black rivets were even in the box).

Even at twice the price, you should be able to get the pars for less than $100

[doonoak]

Thank you Old Goat and Tim. you both gave me great ideas. I think I may go with goat's route. I was hesitant to modify the bumper at first but I know what you mean that the original "tin" bumper is for looks. Though I love our popup I could run off a lengthy list of things I would have done much differnt in the design of it and I guess I was against the idea of improving upon them at first because I always imagine the time I either trade it in or sell it to get a bigger popup. But you know you live for the moment and it is what it is. I hate dealing with the dealership the guy I bought my camper from bought it. Those bloodsuckers would just as well 500 dollar you to death!

[wavery]

The rear bumper on my TrailManor is made of 4" (inside diameter) square aluminum. It's extremely strong, light, has storage inside, easy to bolt on and nice looking. It's basically the same bumper that you see on most travel trailers.

I would think that you could find a junk one fairly cheap. The TT ones are longer but it would cut to length with a hacksaw.