Do grille guards and the like actually help when hitting a deer? I realize that at 65mph there is little hope, but at 35-40 maybe they help? I've read that some people think they are just damage multipliers. What are your thoughts/experiences?
It needs to be built. Myself and another guy built one of 3/8" plate and 1" water sprinkler pipe, with quite an emphasis on protecting the light assembly. Rhino lined it and it managed through 3 deer impacts, all less that 45mph though. I would venture to say that about 75% of the ones I see for sale will crush and just crush the grill and light assembly as well.
Depends on the truck too.
If it's a car it won't do anything, either.
Car will just plow it into the windshield.
Avoid the aluminum and get the steel ones. Make sure it's properly mounted otherwise it will just bend backwards on impact.
They're pretty effective and look cool.
Back in Sandy Hook KY you practically need those things. That's where my limited knowledge comes from.
If it's a car it won't do anything, either.
Car will just plow it into the windshield.
Avoid the aluminum and get the steel ones. Make sure it's properly mounted otherwise it will just bend backwards on impact.
They're pretty effective and look cool.
Back in Sandy Hook KY you practically need those things. That's where my limited knowledge comes from.
Most grill guards are called damage extenders or damage multipliers in the off-roading industry because your going to break more stuff because the guard will be pushed into parts of the car that otherwise would not be touched by the deer or whatever you hit.
Just find an installed guard and grab and shake it to see how flimsy they are.
Just find an installed guard and grab and shake it to see how flimsy they are.
Its for a F150 I bought. Building one is probably not possible for me. Ill have to see whats out there already
The good ones like Ranchhands are good protection.
I've been wanting to put a Ranchhand on my Tahoe, but they are one of the higher options out there. There are some more, one I can't quite remember... Iron Cross, maybe? They are ridiculously solid and ridiculously expensive, but also look like something out of Mad Max - not really the look I am going for, in spite of the protection.
Small doe did over $3k damage to my Tahoe at around 40MPH with significant braking and speed reduction prior to impact.
And then she got up and ran off.
I hear you. I dont have any ranchhands but my dad does on 3 of his trucks. Always bumping cows while feeding them. On modern trucks it takes very little to add up to some serious coin on a front end hit.
When I said it needs to be built, I was referring to "needs to be built, as in sturdy" not just thin chrome plated tubing. There are some stout prefabbed ones out there. I just happened to mention we built mine, caused a little confusion there sorry
