If you own a vehicle, I'm sure you would be aware of the bull bar. This sturdy vehicle accessory protects the vehicle from the impact of a head-on collision. You will find umpteen options in the market. But the question is which bull bar to choose and why? Selecting the best bull bar for your vehicle can be a tedious task as numerous brands are out there in the market. Therefore, we have made a quick review guide to make it easy for you.
Types Of Bull Bars In Terms Of Material
If you plan to add one, you must know about the material that goes in its making. The material plays an important role in defining the durability and stability of the bull bar. There are various bull bars in the market, and different bull bars have different features. In most cases, the bar is extended to the headlight area to save the vehicle from debris and road accidents. Some of the famous bull bar materials are as follows:
Steel: Steel is the most widely used and favored because of its potency and longevity. A steel bar also protects against the Kangaroo mishap. The only con is its weight, which sags on the front tires, hindering the braking distance due to uneven weight distribution on the vehicle. A steel bull bar weighs around 80 kg as a result, and it causes the front suspension to droop upwards up to 10 mm. A steel bull bar is also cheaper than an aluminum bar.
Plastic: Plastic bars are the lightest as well as the cheapest bull bars that are available. The con is its strength; it is weaker than both steel and aluminum bars. They are mainly designed for their lighter impacts and brushing. These bars are pedestrian-friendly and hence can be ideal for sealed roads.
Aluminum/Alloy: An aluminum bull bar is a perfect mixture of lightweight and strength. These bars come with anti-rust protection and lead the market ahead of steel bars for the last couple of years. However, when it comes to strength, no bars come close to steel bars. In addition, the production costs of aluminum bars are pretty high, and it could be more costly to replace an aluminum bar.
Styles Of Bull Bar
There are quite a few styles of bull bars available in the market serving different roles.
Triple Hoop: These are the traditional 'heavy-duty' bars that are widely used on country roads. They are known for providing maximum protection that also includes protection of the headlights.
Single Hoop: They are triple hoop bars without headlight protection. The single hoop covers up to the radiator area, and as expected, they are lighter than the triple hoop.
Nudge Bar: It is made of lightweight aluminum and poly carbonate. These offer minimal protection from front-end collision.
Baja Bar: They are popularly used on Baja desert racing cars. They are primarily used for their easy winching. These types of bars provide less protection.
Competition Bar: A competition bar is commonly used for off-road/competition use. They have higher ground clearance and can be helpful to dodge a potential accident.
How Much Does A Bull Bar Costs?
Good quality and effective steel bar costs around $1700, whereas an alloy bar costs around $3000.
Can I Buy A Used Bull Bar?
You can buy a used bar if they are fit to provide the Australian manufacturing laws. As for the use, you can use it as long as the bar can provide general safety and protection against collisions.
Concluding Thoughts
This was the basic information about bull bars, their type and material. If you plan to add one to your vehicle, make sure that you acquaint yourself with the legal compliance with it and choose the best material.
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