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Rich Anthony · 05-30-2023, 06:17 AM

Hello ... I am replacing the bumper on my 2021 Globtrotter. I bumped a 4x4 post just enough to bent the bumper in the center.This caused three rivits on the wet storage to break and one latch to not quite line up. So, the good news is only the bumper needs replaceing. The bad news is $850.00 for the bumper from the dealer. How do I get the four screws out that hold the bumper on?they are locked down tight. Thanks!

Genebuilder · 05-30-2023, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich Anthony

Hello ... I am replacing the bumper on my 2021 Globtrotter. I bumped a 4x4 post just enough to bent the bumper in the center.This caused three rivits on the wet storage to break and one latch to not quite line up. So, the good news is only the bumper needs replaceing. The bad news is $850.00 for the bumper from the dealer. How do I get the four screws out that hold the bumper on?they are locked down tight. Thanks!

Rich..when you bent the bumper inward, you may have put additional lateral clamping force on the fasteners. Try bumping the bumper back out to relieve the pressure. The four flathead screws usually back out easily.

To call the rear bumper a bumper is painful. When you get it off, you will be able to toss it around with one hand. It is just a thin, light piece of general grade, soft aluminum. Chances are, you might be able to bend it back into shape with a mallet and some lumber.

thewarden · 05-30-2023, 08:12 AM

Ouch! When I replaced mine a few years ago, (don't ask why), it was $500 at the dealer in Spokane. They put it on for me for nothing. I am glad they did as they had the same problem, but they have the tools and it took no time. They also had to redrill the new bumper because the mounting holes were not in the same location.

Boxite · 05-30-2023, 08:32 AM

Yep…the “bumper” is primarily … Bling.

It is very soft and easily bent if run into anything at all.

(but I still enjoy it because it allowed my non-bumper Sport to gain a small storage space at the rear for sewer hose, awning-rod, road-flares, and many other small items. I installed it myself in about 2 hours…ordinary tools and a floor jack to support/level it while attaching the bolts. The supplied bolts are self-threading which screw into the frame. I found them less than satisfactory …one broke as it was screwed into the required drilled-hole ..perhaps I drilled a hole slightly small and too much torque required…the impact wrench snapped the head off…and so I used grade 5 bolts/nuts instead….but most folks are happy with the supplied bolts. Total cost about 2017 was $1200. I’m still glad I did it for the sewer hose storage alone. The supplied storage tube beneath the trailer, fwd of the fresh tank…is a joke and troublesome to access. I now use it only for a sewer extension hose I almost never have used.)

Mollysdad · 05-30-2023, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich Anthony

Hello ... I am replacing the bumper on my 2021 Globtrotter. I bumped a 4x4 post just enough to bent the bumper in the center.This caused three rivits on the wet storage to break and one latch to not quite line up. So, the good news is only the bumper needs replaceing. The bad news is $850.00 for the bumper from the dealer. How do I get the four screws out that hold the bumper on?they are locked down tight. Thanks!

A very large Phillips screwdriver. Even one with a hex to add a wrench.
Mine came out peacefully after I backed into a tree and put a small dent.
I decided to try to fix it myself. Removed the bumper, laid it on a Sunday newspaper and using a small block of wood and a hammer and a lot of small tapping, I made it unnoticeable.
But here's the problem. If you dent the bumper it stretches the top (horizontal part) as you pound out the dent it leaves the top with a wavy section. I tried a torch, afraid to scorch it, lots more tapping with a hammer and wood, a scissor jack inside the bumper, and nothing is perfect. The best tool was a long pipe clamp with the jaws very close together and used as a lever.
But my latches close and I can replace the pop rivets. (I may use tiny machine screws.) From 5' away, no one knows, although it's not perfect. I wasn't ready to spring for $800. (although YOU can buy the bumper for $500 and use the four screws.) Paying a dealer $350 to put in four screws seems excessive.
BTW, if you buy a new bumper, measure carefully. All Airstreams don't use the same bumper.

starlite29 · 05-30-2023, 09:04 AM

Using an old-school impact screwdriver might help.

https://www.harborfreight.com/6-bit-...ase-64812.html

You hit it with a big hammer, it will torque out the screws.

When I did this I was able to get them out with a propane torch and a huge screwdriver with vise grips to get torque. Took a while.

IMPORTANT: please keep your head clear when removing the screws, the bumper is now under tension and will BANG a foot or so rearward when you get a couple screws out.