tube bumper vs plate

[86MUDRCJ]

I have been thinking about what type I want I just haven't really decided. What are the pros and cons of each? I know tube is lighter but plate is stronger, but that's about all I know. Feel free to educate me because I kinda need to get the ball rolling. Thanks yall

 

[crawlin91]

Have you ever worked with tube before? do you own or have access to a tube bender, notcher etc.? The notching can be done with a lot of patience and an angle grinder/chop saw but the bending part is kind of hard to get around without the proper tools. Will this be a front or rear bumper, are you going to run a receiver on it? Do you ever plan on mounting a winch to this bumper? What design do you like best? These might be things to consider before you buy. HREW tube is a lot cheaper than DOM...it is not as strong but will work fine for a bumper. Figure out what you want, check the prices of stuff at your local steel yard and go from there.

 

[4x4junkie]

Tube (both round or square/rect.) is going to be MUCH more rigid than plate or open c-channel type stuff of the same weight (unless you were to build it into a box shape with plate on 4 sides).

I built mine using 2x2" and 2x4" box tubing (2x5" I used for the rear). They actually came out a fair bit lighter than the stock bumpers were, yet are much sturdier (I think I have pics in the Bumpers Sticky thread up top here).

 

[86MUDRCJ]

I have worked with tube and plate about the same, but i don't have all the tools to bend the tube. I do know a couple a people who have the stuff i don't so I can use theirs. As far as design i have liked both but i just cant find a design that incorporates both and looks decent. The rear bumper is going to have a receiver on it, and the front will have a winch on it and also lights wired up somewhere. Now, the price of each is pretty dang close since i know a guy that owns a steel yard and he gives me a pretty decent deal most of of the time.