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.
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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.
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50L custom fuel rack 6x20W 100/20mppt 4x26Ah gel 28L super insulated fridge TPMS 3 ARB compressors heatsink fan cooled 4L tank aftercooler Air/water OCD cleaning 4 stage car acoustic insulation.
