We've had our Avan caravan from new, we've almost lost our rear bumper bar twice in the past 3 years.
It is stock standard with only the spare wheel mounted on it, no tool boxes, bike racks or jerry can holders.
The bumper has 2 arms that slide into square tubing that is welded to the chassis with a bolt through the bumper & tubing.
The tubing is very light gauge. The weld holding it onto the chassis has broken on two occasions. The bumper is a loose fitting into the tubing & there is a fair bit of lateral & vertical movement.
On a recent trip we almost lost the bumper & spare wheel.
We got it welded & strengthened by adding diagonal brackets welded on with shims slid into the tubing to stop any movement.
This was all done by a bush mechanic (mowers to tractors)in a small country town. It is now pretty much bullet proof.
All Avan caravans have the same rear bumper as ours including the current models & Golf caravans made by Avan.
Here's a photo of the strengthening. Not pretty but effective.
Whenarewethere said
04:52 PM Apr 19, 2019
I've done first year in both arc welding & oxy acetylene. Could be a bit tidier! Make sure it is well painted in the corners where condensation or water in general can collect.
Dougwe said
08:07 PM Apr 19, 2019
Well done Judith, who cares what it looks like, it's underneath.
I also noticed you have joined up/sort of returned, instead of your husband DD
Welcome.
Olive Oil said
05:30 AM Apr 20, 2019
Too many bun fights for him, he lost interest & unsubscribed.
Only interested in travel blog section.
The Diggings said
01:22 PM Apr 25, 2019
I had a look at our Liam rear bar and didn't think it was strong enough, so strengthened it a bit
We've had our Avan caravan from new, we've almost lost our rear bumper bar twice in the past 3 years.
It is stock standard with only the spare wheel mounted on it, no tool boxes, bike racks or jerry can holders.
The bumper has 2 arms that slide into square tubing that is welded to the chassis with a bolt through the bumper & tubing.
The tubing is very light gauge. The weld holding it onto the chassis has broken on two occasions. The bumper is a loose fitting into the tubing & there is a fair bit of lateral & vertical movement.
On a recent trip we almost lost the bumper & spare wheel.
We got it welded & strengthened by adding diagonal brackets welded on with shims slid into the tubing to stop any movement.
This was all done by a bush mechanic (mowers to tractors)in a small country town. It is now pretty much bullet proof.
All Avan caravans have the same rear bumper as ours including the current models & Golf caravans made by Avan.
Here's a photo of the strengthening. Not pretty but effective.
I've done first year in both arc welding & oxy acetylene. Could be a bit tidier! Make sure it is well painted in the corners where condensation or water in general can collect.
Well done Judith, who cares what it looks like, it's underneath.
I also noticed you have joined up/sort of returned, instead of your husband DD
Welcome.
Only interested in travel blog section.