Sewer Hose Bumper Replacement

[Woodstock]

Hi All,

I had a minor altercation with a sapling this weekend while backing up a steep grade...sapling won...buckled my sewer bumper. I don't use the bumper to store the sewer hose and was wondering if anyone has replaced their bumper with either a exact replacement bumper or a variation...looking for ideas, sources, costs, etc.

THX

[EMD_Driver]

I don't know if this will help, but have you thought of replacing the steel with a plastic fence post cover? It would give you a place to store a "Backup" sewer hose and be relatively inexpensive.


If you would rather replace it with another steel bumper, I am not sure where you would find one.

[Woodstock]

EMD, I need the bumper for the protection of the TT structure...never used it to store a sewer hose as I keep them in a closed container in the bed of my pick up. I know the 4X4X96 tubing is available unpainted for less than $100 delivered, but was looking for other ideas for a strong bumper. This little accident was a real eye opener as to the kinetic energy a heavy slow moving object possesses. Without the bumper I would have destroyed my Sunline.

[EMD_Driver]

I wonder if Lowes would have any square steel tubing that would work. I don't know what you have available to you locally, but a metal supplier would have to have something close to what you are looking for.

You might also try looking for something used. We had a Sunline bumper, but it was destroyed in a rollover accident.

[Sunline Fan]

I'd recommend trying some place like Lippert components (LCI) or Dexter Chassis Group. They both use similar bumpers and should be able to find you something that would work. If they can't sell to you retail, hopefully they can set you up with someone who could after you figure out what you need.

Jon

[Honda03842]

Woodstock,

I don't know where you are located but I have the pumper from my 1982 Sunline. You or anyone else for that matter is welcome to it.

[Honda03842]

Of couurse I meant to type bumper

[Honda03842]

And I meant to type course, Yikes age is catching up with me

[dougie]

ive seen bumpers that bolt on as replacement and not welded but dont know who the dealer might be dougie

[Woodstock]

Thanks for the replies and your offer Norm..much appreciated. I called my RV guy and the cost of a replacement bumper is $65 + labor to paint and install...looks like I will pursue with him. It would be nice if there was a cost effective but much stronger alternative, but I have yet to find one.

[Steve Collins]

I'd think about using 4" steel pipe and having a welding shop move the mounting tabs from the old bumper.

Now that I ponder it a bit, it might even be possible to weld the mounting tabs to the base of 4" U-bolts which would fasten on to the pipe.

[Woodstock]

That's a good thought Steve....might be kinda heavy though...I'll have to take a ride to Home Depot to check out some pipe.

[Steve Collins]

Originally Posted by Woodstock

That's a good thought Steve....might be kinda heavy though...I'll have to take a ride to Home Depot to check out some pipe.

I don't know if Home Depot or other home improvement places will have steel pipe that large. Check in the electric department as well as plumbing. Steel pipe is used for some electrical installations.

Failing that, you may have to contact an electric supply house.

I don't know if steel pipe is available in thin-wall in any size from 3.5" to 5", but it might be worth looking into. Electric supply houses might carry that.

Almost any diameter in that range would probably work pretty well.

[JohnB]

Hi Woodstock

Since you have a 2005 it is like my 2004. Your right the bumper is not structural. It does not take much to bend it. Sorry to hear about the branch, it happens...

Options:

1. Your dealer route, however I do not know if the will paint the inside. I painted mine with a rag on the end of a stick. Maybe they will paint the inside of the bumper but maybe just paint it your self. Get Rust-o-elum paint at Lowes. Get the brush on. 1 quart is plenty and you can use it to touch up the TT frame too.


2. Go to a metal fab shop in your town and ask for 4" structural tubing. They have 1/8", 3/16 and 1/4" wall thickness. The 1/4" is overkill big time. even 3/16 is very very strong. It may be 2 or $3 a foot.

3. Go to the lumber yard and buy a pressure treated 4 x 4 and a white vinyl fence post cover. Use long 3/8" bolts to bolt it on the flanges on the back of the camper. it will be as strong if not stronger then the original.

Hope this helps

John

[Woodstock]

John, thanks...good info....I priced out a 4 X 4 X 3/16 it came to $105 + shipping for a 96" piece...kinda pricey. I will visit Home Depot and check out the fence post 4X4 pressure treated combo. No question that it will be stronger than the .120" sewer bumper...just not sure if I will like the white color.....don't think that they have black.

[Woodstock]

John...follow-up...I liked the idea of the 4X4 pressure treated with the fence post cover so I went out and purchased all the materials. I removed the bumper, cut the new materials to the required 92" length and then felt that I shouldn't have done that!! 4X4's are actually 3.5's & the spacing of the holes on the bracket is 2 5/8 center to center. Bottom line is that there isn't enough 4X4 to drill the holes. There will be hardly any stock left <1/4" and being that the 4X4 isn't true I am not sure this will work.

[JohnB]

Woodstock

Maybe try this. Go to Lowes or Home Depot. Look in the section where they sell metal shapes. They have a yellow display of all kinds of fabrication metal shapes. They sell 1/4" thick x 3 or 4" wide steel plate about 1 foot long. They also have angle iron there too that could work.

Make an adapter plate. Bolt the plate to the TT frame holes then bolt the 4 x 4 to the plate. This fixes the centers problem. If you do not follow let me know. I have pics of the TT brackets I can draw the concept on.

Good luck

John

PS OR use 1 original hole in the TT frame bracket and then drill a 2nd hole to work with the 3 1/2 x 3 1/2"

[JohnB]

Your bumper plate on the camper looks like this. This is my T310SR but yours is similar




The old bumper looks like this




All you need to do is create a spanner tie plate or drill a new hole in the TT plate welded to the camper.

If you still not following, let me know will draw one up.

John

[Woodstock]

You're amazing John! Another great idea. But, not to be defeated I shimmed up the 4X4 and then carefully and slowly drilled the four holes. I put it on the TT and I really like how it looks. The holes are very near teh surface, but I rationalized continuing because the bottom bolt on each bracket supports the weight. Anyway, we'll see how it lasts. One thing is for certain...I will never back up my Sunny up a steep grade without another pair of eyes behind me. Thanks for your expert help, John.

[JohnB]

Hi Woodstock

Looking good! Actually it looks really good. No rust, no paint and didn't cost an arm and a leg. And it is stronger then what was there against those wandering branches.....

I see you do not have your spare tire on the back. In this case of the bumper combo that is probably a good idea to not have it back there.

The bolts, now that you have it mounted if you have concerns of the edge breaking out on the 4 x 4, while mounted, drill a 3rd bolt on each end right between the other 2. And right thru the metal flange plate on the camper. It is then not going anywhere.

Thanks for the kind comments but your the amazing one. Here I posted it last night, by ~ 1:00 you decided to do it and now come tonight it's all mounted.... The power of Sunline Owners Club. Awesome.

Happy camping

John

PS if you ever want it black, Krylon makes Fusion paint for plastic. They sell it too I think in Lowes. I know Sunline Fan has used it on one of his campers rock guards and he reported it came out well.