Image by Powhusku is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Where I grew up, bull bars were for pushing cattle out of the way and helping to protect the front of your truck when you inevitably hit an antelope or a deer.
But for off-roading, bull bars serve many other purposes other than pushing cattle and protecting from animal strikes…
In fact, bull bars can be one of the most functional accessories you can buy. Let’s explore four reasons why you need a bull bar for off-roading.
Mount That Winch
“Mud bath” by rvcroffi is licensed under CC BY 2.0
You can mount a winch to the OEM bumper or an aftermarket bumper, but you can also mount one to a bull bar.
By having a winch on your bull bar, you get the advantage of having the aforementioned protection from animals while also having the capability to winch yourself or others out of a sticky situation.
In fact, mounting a winch on a bull bar is one of the easiest ways to add a winch, so that’s something to consider when you’re thinking about whether or not a bull bar is right for your rig.
If you do opt for a bull bar, get one with winch mounts on it – even if you aren’t sure you need a winch. That way, at some point in the future, you can easily add one.
A Bull Bar for Off-Roading Provides Extra Recovery Points
Image by Powhusku is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
When you’re off-roading, you probably can’t have enough recovery points. A bull bar gives you those added points for recovery in easy-to-reach places.
Many bull bars come with recovery points built-in. Others have recovery points as an add-on option. Either way, having a beefed-up bull bar with recovery points will give you a stronger, more reliable point of recovery for those occasions when – not if – you get stuck.
As an added bonus, bull bars often have accessory mounting points, too.
For example, in addition to adding a winch, you can add lights, antennas, flags, and other accessories that improve the functionality and safety of your rig.
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Improve the Approach Angle of Your 4×4
“Jeep Wrangler action” by Neticola is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
Using a bull bar for off-roading means you can improve the approach angle of your 4×4.
Now, you might not change the approach angle much, but every little bit helps. The couple of degrees of angle you get with a bull bar could mean the difference between getting up an obstacle and getting stuck.
Likewise, a bull bar is going to be far more durable and stand up to ground strikes much better than the original bumper that came with your truck. Sure, it’ll get scuffed up and scratched, but those are badges of honor!
A Bull Bar for Off-Roading Offers Your Vehicle Added Protection
“Utah Off Road” by indigoprime is licensed under CC BY 2.0
As I’ve already mentioned, bull bars give your vehicle added protection from animal strikes. But the protection doesn’t end there…
With deep ruts, rocks, tree roots, and other obstacles on 4×4 trails, it’s important to have a bull bar on the front of your vehicle to protect it from debris that might try to penetrate into the engine bay.
For example, I’ve seen guys drive headlong into logs that were sticking out into the trail, which then penetrated the front of their vehicles. Damage like this can ruin radiators, kill engines, damage frames, and other nasty things. But with a bull bar’s reinforced steel construction, debris is much less likely to make it into sensitive areas of your truck’s front end.
Are bull bars going to prevent all damage to your truck? No. But they will certainly do a better job of minimizing damage than the factory bumper! That makes a bull bar for off-roading a great idea. If you’re ready to begin accessorizing your 4×4, make a bull bar one of your first investments.