Best Universal Bumper Guards for Car Protection

Bumps and nicks on our cars regrettably become commonplace in major metropolitan locations where street parking is the rule rather than the exception. The combination of crowded parallel parking places and negligent drivers causes bumper damage. 

Thankfully, many items have been developed to offer protection in these situations. These aftermarket guards give a car’s body an additional layer of protection and prevent it from having to engage in full-contact parking.

What to Think About?

The three major techniques for mounting aftermarket bumper guards on a car are as follows. The simplest method merely uses an adhesive backing to connect rubber strips to the body. However, this approach has one disadvantage: removing the rubber strips could be challenging and leave a sticky residue in their place. 

Then there are guards that attach to the back of the car and provide a fair amount of coverage. They can be removed with ease, but they are typically not the most attractive option.

Finally, there are hard-mounted steel guards that bolt to the chassis but these are usually only used on trucks and SUVs. Additionally, consider the guard’s size and shape and determine how well it will match your specific bumper by taking measurements.

Types of Bumper

Every car bumper differs due to limits of impact resistance and height mandated by American law. These are the several kinds of car bumpers:

Standard Bumper

The bumper standard is only applicable to passenger cars. The exercise’s goal is to reduce low-impact damage in order to safeguard the cooling system, the lights, the fuel and exhaust systems, and other vital components.

The speed restrictions for bumpers have changed yearly depending on the type of vehicle. For models made between 1972 and 1978, a collision at five mph on the front bumper and 2.5 mph on the rear bumper caused no damage to the headlights or the fuel system. 

Every few years, the standards for collision damage increased, and today’s standard of five mph crash damage to lights and fuel systems is still in effect.

The current bumper height regulation is between 16 and 20 inches above the ground. Only passenger cars are affected by this.

Protection measures can be implemented however manufacturers see fit. They certify the bumpers themselves because they are exempt from federal regulations. Although they are not required to do so, some nevertheless list these numbers on their car stickers.

Cowboy Bumper

Many people mistake a cowboy bumper for a bull bar. Both serve as grille guards. In order to reach the grille, cowboy bumpers rise in a curled tubular fashion from beneath the bumper. The cowboy or bull bar, which is made of sturdy steel and finished with a matte black powder coat, protects the front bumper. 

The cowboy bar can be equipped with fog lights. With its skid plate, it can withstand a light backing-up accident but avoid deer.

Step Bumper

The step bumper gives additional protection from accidents at low speeds and is made of rubber, aluminum, plastic, or light metals. The plastic bumpers are strengthened with additional polymers to make them just as durable as metal bumpers. A step-shaped cutout is present in the bumper.

The step bumper, which is common on trucks, vans, and SUVs, enhances a car in numerous ways. One of the perks of the step bumper is not just the protection mentioned above. Another option is customization for motorists looking to spruce up their vehicles. For instance, step bumpers can be set up with tow balls in addition to allowing the driver to climb into the car. These are useful for hauling anything the driver wants, even boats.

Due to their sporadic employment in off-road activities, bumpers are more common on passenger trucks. When trying steep road grades and loading ramps, their clearance must be greater. The statutory collision standards do not thus apply in this situation.

Roll Pan Bumper

On the other side, some truck owners prefer to go as low as possible. We’re talking about barely off the road when it comes to the clearance of the entire car, which is much lower than that of ordinary bumpers. Roll pan bumpers are then used to complete the appearance.

A roll pan bumper is only nominally a bumper. It doesn’t offer protection, bears no resemblance to a car bumper, and you can’t pull anything behind it. It is sculpted to create a seamless appearance from the car’s body to the ground. Roll pan bumpers are merely decorative.

Bumpers for roll pans might be composed of fiberglass, steel, carbon, or plastic. On the truck body, they are fastened using bolts. They are delivered unpainted, allowing the owner to paint them the same color as his truck. They are designed to fit nearly every truck model on the market.

Factory Bumper

All of the aforementioned wouldn’t be required if the factory bumpers were of any caliber. The exact opposite. They can’t have lights, winches, or tow bars added to them, and they’re manufactured with a minimum of low-quality materials. You’ll require after-factory steel bumpers for that.

Steel Bumpers

Steel bumpers are made with more care so they last the entire life of the truck. They are practically unbreakable, and they still function properly even when severely rusted. To the steel bumpers, you can add lights, winches, and tow bars. Even for off-road vehicles, they are available in a range of finishes.

Find the ideal bumper guard right away for your car or truck:

1. Luv-Tap Universal Fit Rear Bumper Guard
2. Bumper Badger HD
3. BumpShox XL Front Bumper License Plate Frame
4. Bumper Bully Extreme, Gold Edition
5. Westin 30-0005 Light Bar
6. DNA Motoring Hitch Guard
7. Rhino Guard Heavy-Duty Corner Car Bumper Guards

Car Bumper Benefits

Car bumpers have a number of extra purposes in addition to serving as external security, which is why some models are referred to as the front end. The bumper serves a number of highly beneficial roles for cars.

1. Keep Serious Injury at Bay
2. Standards of Safety Following Minor Collisions
3. Boost vehicle aerodynamics
4. For the Parktronic Sensor Installation
5. To put the fog lights in

Are Car Scratches Covered By Insurance?

Yes, but the coverage also takes into account what caused the scratches. For instance, the insurance is unlikely to pay out if a grocery cart rolls into your car bumper or if it is keyed. 

However, the car insurance will probably pay for the scratch if a car crashed into the bumper and caused it.

Please read: Brake Fluid: Everything you Deserve to Know

Conclusion

It would be absurd to operate a car without a bumper because they serve so many crucial purposes. Some countries have even gone so far as to make driving without a bumper illegal. 

When driving or parking, you shouldn’t constantly be concerned about your safety and the state of your vehicle. Meanwhile, adding a car bumper guard might be seen as the icing on the cake.