Rough Country rear bumper...

Anyone have any comments or experience with Rough Country's rear bumper for second generation tacomas... I'm going to install a heavier bumper... I've been rear-ended twice within the last few years by inattentive drivers...

 

I personally would avoid all things RC. They're not known for their quality.

I'm running an RCI rear steel bumper. I've been rear ended twice at low speeds (5 MPH) and there is zero evidence.

Check your local Facebook Marketplace for good deals on aftermarket bumpers. Be on the lookout for RCI, Mobtown, CBI, Victory 4x4, etc...

 

Skip Rough Country, it's a low-quality mass-market brand.

Red flags are that they (RC) do not list the gauge thickness of the steel anywhere, nor do they even list the shipping weight. I had to find that RC bumper on Amazon to find out the shipping weight, which is just 69 lbs.

Any reputable maker of after-market bumpers will list the gauge thickness of the main body of the bumper prominently (or at least clearly in the product details/specifications.) It's an important sellling point.

You can get a far superior bumper for less than $100 more** from, for example, 4xInnovations, a quality USA-made craft off-road armor/bumper operation:

https://www.4xinnovations.com/2005-2015-Tacoma-Bolt-On-Rear-Bumper_p_61.html

This bumper is made of 3/16" thick steel plate, with 3/8" thick frame mounting plates, and weighs about 125 lbs.

**Although you will have to pay shipping costs, which may be considerable dep. on your location

 

I work with a couple Jeep dorks. Their entire truck is basically Rough Country bolted to a Chrysler motor.

If the wind blows and a leaf hits it, it rusts. After a year the "powder coat" looks like a dirty chalkboard. Getting the things installed required angle grinders and flapper discs for what was supposed to be a direct fit bolt on.

 

I said, "For less than $100 more." I.e. for only an extra $70 beyond the $699 cost of the Rough Country bumper.

An english-composition teacher would give the sentence construction a C- for clarity but it is what is.