Winch bumpers & air bag operation

[LBeckwith]

Does anyone have input on aftermarket heavy duty winch bumpers and the proper air bag operation in an accident?

 

[JDougherty]

i have asked the question before and i got this response



the sensors are actually on the frame itself not with in the bumper. i personallly dont feel there would be any adverse effect of switching out the bumper.



however your truck may now not absorb as much impact and the new bumper is much heavier built and bend as easily.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Moving this to the products/accessories (no engine/drivetrain) forum for better exposure.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

I have allways heard that the liklyness of a premature airbag release is more with a more rigid bumper assy. The enertia commonly absorbed by the factory designed bumper now is non existant as the energy is transmitted instantly thru to the frame.

 

[lgibson]

I am correct that airbags work by an accelerometer, or how fast the vehicle decelerates? I have a TJM bullbar which is suppose to be airbag friendly. When I had my accident the airbags did not deploy even though I hit head on. A Suburban ran a red light and I struck her front left fender doing 30mph. I only felt a slight bump while she almost did a complete 360.



The body-shop guys told me that the airbags did not deploy because the impact did not slow me down fast enough. Which made since because I felt only a light tap. Gotta love the big heavy trucks. There are pictures in ReadersRigs under the name of Ouch if you care to see.