Does your vehicle need a bullbar? Bullbars offer a lot of protection for you and your vehicle, but there are some things you should know before installing one. Please read below for more.
Bullbars are incredibly popular in Australia, especially with those who use off-road or SUV vehicles. The regulatory environment surrounding bullbars has changed a lot in the last few years because bulky, solid bull-bars can do a lot of damage in the event of a collision.
Bullbars and Road Safety
The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development regulates motor vehicles and has strict requirements for how vehicles are designed, and what sort of after-market additions can be made to them. The latest rules surrounding bullbars are controversial.
The regulations have clamped down on the size of bullbars, the number of prongs, and the amount of protrusion permitted.
These regulations are designed to protect road users in cities and make sense in that environment as bullbars could seriously injure a child, or do a lot of damage to a smaller car in the event of a collision.
Bullbars Off-Road
Where bullbars really come into their own, however, is for off-road use. While someone who never leaves the city may not need bullbars, they are a must-have in the outback. If you drive offroad, then there is an ever-present risk of running into stray wildlife or livestock.
Some of the beasts that can appear ‘out of nowhere’ in the outback are large enough to disable a vehicle and to cause serious injury to its occupants.
It’s easy for city-dwellers to simply say “drive carefully”, but kangaroos move quickly and the view of the road is not always as clear as one would like.
For those who drive offroad on a regular basis, bullbars offer some much-needed protection against dangerous and unpredictable wildlife.
Why Get Bullbars Installed?
There are many reasons that bullbars are useful:
- As mentioned earlier, they are invaluable for protection in the event of an animal collision
- They offer good general protection from logs and other large debris
- They provide a useful winch mounting point
- They’re good for mounting accessories such as UHF antennas, or sand flags (a must if you do dune sand driving)
- They provide a good recovery point
Choosing Safe Bullbars
There are several different styles, and types, of bullbar. They are all, at the end of the day, quite similar in terms of the advantages that they offer, but if you are adding bullbars to a vehicle you already own it is important that you do your homework.
Bullbars can add up to 80kg to the weight of your vehicle. There are some lighter ones out there, but even ‘light’ bullbars can be quite heavy. They will impact on the aerodynamics and fuel efficiency of the vehicle, so choose carefully.
Be honest about when and where you drive your vehicle, and what you need your bullbars for. Make sure that the suspension in your vehicle can handle the bullbars you choose, and that you are buying bullbars that are appropriate for the use that you put the vehicle to.
If you have adaptive cruise control, confirm that the bullbars will not interfere with its operation. The same goes for airbags. Look for a reputable provider who makes and installs bullbars that are certified as compatible with your vehicle.
A safe, certified bullbar set from a reputable manufacturer will make driving offroad much safer and easier and will leave you feeling more confident on the roads. Bullbars are not just a cosmetic upgrade to a car. They are a powerful tool.
They also turn your 4×4 into a mobile weapon that can withstand animal impacts at high speeds, so be sure to drive responsibly and keep your eyes and mind on the road at all times.
If you are looking for bullbars and nudge bars, or a canopy for your vehicle then look no further than us at Hektik Automotive Group. We specialise in the supply and installation of a wide variety of automotive accessories, audio-visual and security systems.
Please call us today on (03) 9998 2504 or contact us through our website.
