Fleet/Tacoma Rear Bumper?

[huckfinn]

I am planning to get some kind of aluminum front winch bumper (and a winch, of course) for my Tacoma with a Fleet. We're often on roads that would justifiy the expense.

For those with this common combo, you know the Fleet sticks out of the bed of the truck six inches or so. I don't want a swing out bumper for the back, and I find it hard to justify a change in the back just for the look of it—I'd have to swap out the hitch as well as the bumper—it gets expensive.

Besides we use the hitch now to support a small simple wooden platform to exit and enter the Fleet door. We don't want any kind of stair, the platform is fine, so I don't know, maybe I'll do nothing. But I wondered if anyone else had thought about this issue in this way. I have checked past discussions and did not see anything that addressed this issue in this way...

If I could get a bumper that would extend enough so that it would protect the camper, then that would be an example of a reason that could, for me, justify the cost. Thoughts? Or do I just have too much time to think about this stuff?

 

[nikonron]

First thing is to remove the front rubber bumpers on the front of the camper, lets the camper move forward about 2". Then you may look at slipping your bumper back an inch or so if possible. My Eagle sits almost flush with my rear bumper. I do have an after market CBI bumper. Was also able to modify my swing away so that it also works. Ron

 

[huckfinn]

Thanks, Ron, very smart setup. Makes sense to move the camper forward and the bumper back, for lots of reasons. Never would have occurred to me.

Mark

 

[4x4tinyhouse]

First thing is to remove the front rubber bumpers on the front of the camper

But, aren't the rubber bumpers you're referring to there for a reason?

 

[nikonron]

Not really. For what? To keep the metal from making contact with the front of the bed? I just put a 1/4" thick piece of rubber in front of the camper and the aluminum on the camper does not touch. At least not on a Tacoma. Other truck makes may need a bit more shimming. I believe in keeping the weight as far forward as is possible. Ron

 

[4x4tinyhouse]

Not really. For what? To keep the metal from making contact with the front of the bed? I just put a 1/4" thick piece of rubber in front of the camper and the aluminum on the camper does not touch. At least not on a Tacoma. Other truck makes may need a bit more shimming. I believe in keeping the weight as far forward as is possible. Ron

I thought perhaps they added the rubber bumpers to separate the camper from the front of the bed so there would be room to flex, but thinking about now, the truck doesnt really flex like that anyway.

Weight forward for sure. I'm going to do this, thanks for the tip

 

[Redfish]

Nikonron,

Can you show a few additional pictures of your CBI bumper set up? I like the idea of removing or at least trimming the rubber bumpers. Thanks for that tip. I've looked at a few bumpers with swing arms, including CBI, but have been stymied by the Fleet overhang on my Tacoma.

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[nikonron]

CBI bumper and swing arm but I had to modify the arm to clear the camper. I also added the Aliminess box and aluminum table

 

[nikonron]

Another view

 

[huckfinn]

I like the table, I bet it's useful. What did you do if anything to the turnbuckles that attach the camper to the bed when you moved the camper forward?

Not really wanting a swing arm on my rear bumper, I'm still stuck on my original question. Being a woodworker, I've wondered about replacing the stock bumper with one shaped out of layers of plywood laminated with epoxy, that would extend a couple of inches past
the corners of the Fleet.

 

[nikonron]

No change required in the turnbuckles other than to loosen and retighten them after relocating the camper forward. Ron

 

[kmacafee]

Check out Aluminess. I have their aluminum front and rear bumpers and storage box. Not the cheapest option but they work very well.

 

[Hamer95USA]

I like the CBI bumper with the swing out arm that hold the Aluminess box, jerry cans, and propane oven. The steps mounted in the hitch is very cool too!

 

[SLOwag]

I highly recommend CBI for what you're asking your bumper to do. They are very friendly, innovative, and skilled craftsmen that will customize their products to fit your needs (they worked patiently with me).

 

[BobD]

A couple of other options for front bumpers, both offer incredible quality and service.

http://www.pelfreybilt.com/

and

http://www.relentlessfabrication.com/

 

[jeffreywanderson9]

Hey guys, question here I am hoping someone can answer. I have a 2016 Tacoma long bed and have a FWC Fleet on the way. I am not sure how far it will stick out of the bed but want to buy a C4 rear bumper with swing-out. My only concern is I don't know if the swingout will come into contact with the camper or not. If so, besides removing or modifying the front rubber bumpers, how would I modify the swingout to fix this possible future problem? Anyone have a 3rd gen Tacoma with a FWC that's using the C4 rear bumper? I know a guy with a CBI rear bumper and swingout that had to modify his 3 inches extension. Thanks in advance!!

 

[longhorn1]

Jeffrey, what is the length of your bed??

 

[Stalking Light]

I think you can buy Aluminess rear bumpers without swing arms and the extension they use for FWC's should work as well. Not sure if they make them for gen 3 Tacos yet.

 

[rando]

I have a 2016 Tacoma, but with a fleet flatbed, so no help on bumper selection. However, if you really want a rear bumper with swing outs, it may be worth looking for one in almuninium as stalking light suggests. The Tacoma is really pretty maxed out weight wise with just the Fleet (unless you have an empty shell) so I would be cautious of adding several hundred pounds that far behind the rear axel. Even with my heavily upgraded suspension, I notice when I have my 1up hitch mount bike rack and two mtbs hanging off the back, and not in a good way.

 

[Kokopelli]

I put this hitch step in my rear hitch - it is kind of like a mini bumper extending some protection for the camper. I am on my 3rd one - the first I did back into a post and it protected the camper, the second took a hit on a sharp 4wd road incline - take it out if the road has steep transitions - makes the rear end too long. I like it for parking, etc - will protect someone from bumping the camper. Wouldn't do a lot in a big crash, but for the little things it's great - and pretty cheap.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CMH7JI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Our 3 step step ladder fits perfect behind it (the wife likes that). For just me I will usually just use the hitch step.